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Harrisburg is the history-rich capital city of Pennsylvania, USA. This capital city turns into a winter wonderland during the time of the December holidays. There are a multitude of things to do in Harrisburg PA in December to enjoy the winter fun. The city hosts a number of events with twinkling lights and Christmas decor adorning the streets, making it a magical sight to behold. The temperature drops, but Harrisburg gives forth a warm atmosphere with its festive spirit. December is the ideal time to explore the city and enjoy the numerous activities hosted by it.
10 Magical Things To Do In Harrisburg PA In December
Plan your trip to Pennsylvania and explore these things to do in Harrisburg PA in December to add to your unforgettable Christmas memories.
1. Christmas Tree Viewing At The Capitol
Photo: Bestbudbrian / Wikimedia Commons
The holiday season starts at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree. The Beaux-Arts style building becomes a sight to behold with its towering 24-foot Christmas tree, decorated with more than 1000 LED lights and handmade ornaments. The tree will be placed in the Rotunda of the State Capitol building and is thus easy to access and take some pictures. The Christmas tree for the lighting is locally sourced each year. The tree lighting ceremony acts as a symbol of joy and togetherness to the people of Harrisburg.
Location: 501 North 3rd Street, Downtown Harrisburg
Nearby Attraction: Pennsylvania Fire National Museum
2. Watch A Holiday Show At The State Museum
Photo: Herry Sutanto / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
A trip to Harrisburg, PA, wouldn’t be complete without visiting the State Museum. It is one of the cosiest things to do in Harrisburg, PA in December to dive into its history and culture. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the main attraction of the State Museum is the huge statue of William Penn. It also has a planetarium and multiple floors of exhibits that display events spanning from prehistoric times to current events. The museum also has a wide array of artworks, technological innovations, and paintings. It also provides visual and auditory aids for interpretation.
Location: 300 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Average Cost: $7 / ₹600 for Adults & $5 / ₹430 for Children
3. Shop At Broad Street Market
Photo: Mâide Arslan / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Broad Street Market is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US, originally established in 1863. One of the most relaxing things to do in Harrisburg PA in December is to get your Christmas shopping done at this awe-inspiring market. It features both tents and a stone building hosting a variety of vendors to meet all your shopping needs. The Broad Street Market acts more as a community than a market. During holidays, there will be pop-up vendors selling things from magnificent stained glass to spicy hot food.
Location: Midtown Harrisburg at 1233 N 3rd St
Average Cost: $10 – 25 / ₹870 – 2100
4. Drive Around Bellevue Park
Photo: Penndyl / Wikimedia Commons
The Bellevue Park comes alive during the festive season. There will be light shows synchronised with holiday music, which can be a perfect spot to hang out with your family. The park will be adorned with Christmas lights and decorations, making it a magical place to spend a festive evening. You can have a leisurely drive from Midtown to Bellevue Park to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of illuminated streets, glowing wreaths, and seasonal inflatables on front lawns. The Bellevue Park and the drive around it will be one of the most memorable things to see in Harrisburg PA in December.
Location: East Harrisburg
Average Cost: $50 – 70 / ₹4300 – 6000
5. Explore The National Civil War Museum
Photo: Drew Dempsey / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
You can make the trip to Harrisburg even more unique with a visit to the National Civil War Museum to explore the national history. The museum illustrates the events that led up to the Civil War through various exhibits. It features artilleries, documents, and photographs that tell the story of the war. For museum and history enthusiasts, the National Civil War Museum is one of the informative places to visit in Harrisburg during a December trip. Although the museum is closed on Christmas Day, there are interactive holiday special multimedia presentations and displays on the days leading up to Christmas Day.
Location: 1 Lincoln Cir, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Average Cost: $18 / ₹1550 for adults, $17 / ₹1500 for senior citizens, $16 / ₹1400 for students
6. Walk Around Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
Photo: Doug Kerr / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is a beautiful estate where you can drive around to see the serene holiday lighting. The best time to visit is from December 2nd to December 22nd. During this time, you can opt for a guided tour, which lasts 45 minutes, that explores the Holiday traditions in the Fort Hunter Mansion in detail. The guided tour often requires prior reservations. You can also opt for accommodations if needed. From November 29 to December 21, you can also visit the toy train exhibit featuring magical model trains. It is a must-try event where you can take part in a lot of interactive and walk-around sessions.
Location: 5300 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Average Cost: $8 / ₹700 for adults, $7 / ₹600 for senior citizen, $5 / ₹450 for children
7. Gallery Viewing At Susquehanna Art Museum
Photo: Fuzheado / Wikimedia Commons
The Susquehanna Art Museum offers a cultural escape and stands out as one of the most unique options for what to do in Harrisburg PA in December. Housed in a renovated bank building, it features floors of artwork from local and international artists. Beyond paintings and exhibits, December brings late-night gallery viewings and festive community events. Kids can join the Kids’ Art Club, enjoying activities like Cyanotype stitching. The museum also runs the Vango! project—a mobile exhibit in a Winnebago—designed for children with hands-on crafts and interactive displays. It’s a creative and family-friendly way to enjoy the season indoors.
Location: 1401 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Average Cost: Adults – $8 / ₹700
8. View The Cargill Holiday Parade
Photo: Jay Brand / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Cargill Holiday Parade will feature street performances, vendors, food stalls, decorated floats, Christmas characters, and much more. You can also grab Santa’s favourite goodies, a cup of hot chocolate and cookies, that too for free. There are also theme-based competitions where marching bands and street dancers compete to find out the best among them. While enjoying the parade, you can explore the local cuisine by visiting the neighbouring restaurants. If you are up for exploring the nearby areas, you can take up one of the self-guided trails, like the Sweet Trail and Harrisburg Arts District trail.
Location: Market St, Downtown Harrisburg
Average Cost: $10 / ₹870 at Market Square Garage
9. Holiday Shopping At SoMa Christmas Market
Photo: Meruyert Gonullu / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Your search for an authentic Christmas market ends in the SoMa Christmas Market. It is an artisan Christmas market located outdoors, which gives the perfect experience of Christmas shopping. It features local vendors, holiday-themed events, and food stalls and trucks. The SoMa Christmas Market is one of the best places you can find handmade Christmas ornaments and gifts, giving it a truly traditional touch. There are also entertainment options like music shows and open-air theatres available at this Christmas market. You can also enjoy beer and wine tasting and make your trip even more festive.
Location: Third Street, between Market & Chestnut Sts
Average Cost: $15 – 45 / ₹1200 – 4000
10. Visit The Whitaker Center For Science And The Arts
Photo: Nasjere Williams / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is the cultural and educational hub in Harrisburg. During the holidays, the centre exhibits a lot of winter exhibits. Visiting the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts during December will offer you both an educational and festive experience that will last a lifetime. The tour gives the perfect opportunity for family time. The Holiday special exhibits include a glowing display and interactive displays. It also features an aerospace exhibition and various films related to it. There are also activities for children, such as light-up Legos and glow-in-the-dark displays.
Location: 222 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Average Cost: $9.5 / ₹820 for adults & $8 / ₹690 for children
The range of things to do in Harrisburg PA in December includes historic tours, museum visits, festive markets, and winter escapes. Spend your day exploring decorated mansions, watching a show downtown, or enjoying seasonal dishes at local restaurants. Most attractions stay open throughout the month, and with smaller crowds, it’s easy to enjoy multiple activities in one trip. Plan your winter getaway with TripXL for a relaxed and festive experience.
Cover Photo: Zac Gudakov / Unsplash
