New Year’s ‘Countdown to Noon’ family events

Happy Noon Year at State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA
Friday, December 30, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Adults $7; $6 senior citizens; $5 children ages 1-11; Planetarium fees apply. 
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Young children and their families are invited to welcome the New Year during the annual “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration, an opportunity for kids to enjoy their own special “ringing in the New Year.” Make a craft, snack, dance, learn about music in nature and enjoy a performance by Steven Courtney, multiple winner of the Parents Choice Award, Children’s Music Web Awards, and the Arpeggio Award for “Outstanding Work with Children” through the Arts. Take in a seasonal planetarium show (admission fees apply). The Museum’s famous firefly and balloon drop will be in Memorial Hall at 12:00 Noon. No reservation is required, walk-ups are welcome. Please Note: Curiosity Connection will close for the day at 2:15 PM. Planetarium tickets and Curiosity Connection Play Time tickets are extremely limited.

New Year’s Snow Ball at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD
Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum admission is $14.95 for guest ages 2 and up. Children under 2 and members are FREE.
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Kids of all ages will love the much-anticipated Balloon Drop, which takes place at 12 o’clock noon in Port Discovery’s 10,000 square foot glass atrium. Eric Energy will serve as Master of Ceremonies and lead the spectacular countdown followed by a juice and cookie toast. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costume and create numbers and sound makers in anticipation of the big Balloon Drop. And once again, an American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the Countdown again this year.

New Year’s Eve Countdown at The Hershey Story Museum
63 W Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA
Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bubble stomp is FREE
Little Elves Workshop $5 per ornament
General admission rates apply to museum, Chocolate Lab and tastings
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Youngsters can make some noise with the Hershey’s product characters and “bubble-wrap stomps” at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Kids will celebrate the incoming New Year by stomping on giant sheets of bubble wrap on the Museum’s patio. In the event of inclement weather, stomps will take place in the Museum’s Grand Lobby. Before or after stomps, kids can journey through Little Elves Workshop and create an ornament out of chocolate clay, icing and ribbon. Children also can test some vintage toys, and the whole family can pose in front of a snowy Hershey scene for a holiday photo opportunity. Little Elves Workshop is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. The Hershey Story Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26 through Dec. 31 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

New Year’s Eve at Noon at National Watch and Clock Museum
514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA
Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Adults $9; senior citizens $8; children age 5-16 $5; children younger than 5 FREE; family rate $23
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Ring in the New Year with Father Time and Baby New Year at the place that is the center of time—The National Watch and Clock Museum. Father Time will lead guests in a dance party full of fun and swinging music. As part of the traditional celebration, the Museum will host a countdown with Father Time, complete with a balloon drop at the strike of noon. Activities include crafts, photo booth, face painting, cookie decorating, trivia games and story time. Party guests can also create a 2016 time capsule and write their resolutions on the 2017 Resolution Wall. Advanced registration is not necessary and all activities are included with regular paid admission. For additional information, contact 717.684.8261, ext. 237.

24th Annual Popcorn Hat Players New Year’s Eve Party for Children
Whitaker Center, 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 11 a.m. to noon
Tickets $12
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Join the Popcorn Hat Players for a New Year’s Eve Party with a countdown to noon. This year’s show is “Cinderella.” Tickets include admission to the show, noisemakers, party hats and a Hawaiian lei. Hurry! This event sells out every year!