Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts - Harrisburg, PA

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Must See Live Performances All 2026

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Learn with Us: Where Fun Meets Discovery

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Explore Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts

Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is Central Pennsylvania’s premier center for education and cultural enrichment. Whitaker Center is a thought leader in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement for all ages and backgrounds. We believe that by investing our resources in educating, entertaining, and engaging visitors, we can spark a movement that makes our community a better place to live, work, and play. Composed of four main venues – UPMC Science Center (formerly Harsco Science Center), PNC Innovation Zone, Sunoco Performance Theater, and Select Medical Digital Cinema Theater, Whitaker Center has something for everyone as a destination of choice.

Plan Your Visit

UPMC Science Center

Fascinating exhibits about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math all combine to make a visit to the UPMC Science Center an extraordinary educational experience cleverly disguised as a whole lot of fun.

Science Exhibitions

Permanent Exhibit

Forces of Nature Exhibit

Through compelling stories of natural forces and environmental change, Forces of Nature is both an exciting thematic area and a relevant science topic that affects everyone’s daily life. The permanent gallery provides guests with the opportunity to experience a variety of extraordinary weather wonders featuring physical “phenomenon-based” exhibits.

Oct 18, 2025 – May 16, 2026

Lab Explorers

Curiosity meets creativity in this immersive STEAM experience! These two-hour workshops invite students in grades 3–8 to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math through hands-on challenges rooted in the real world. Whether they’re constructing prototypes, analyzing data, or solving problems, students will leave inspired, empowered, and ready to take on the next challenge.

Oct 19, 2025 – Feb 21, 2026

Lego Spike Robotics

Each session introduces a new robotics concept through hands-on exploration and creative problem-solving. Students will dive into the world of robotics by building and programming robots using LEGO® Education SPIKE™, where imagination meets engineering. Unless otherwise noted, LEGO SPIKE will be the primary platform used. Whether students are new to robotics or ready to level up, each workshop offers a fresh opportunity to build, code, and innovate.

Permanent Exhibit

Backstage Studio

Funded by The Alexander Grass Foundation, Backstage Studio features fascinating exhibits that reveal the science and technology behind movies, TV, music, and theatre. Create your own stop-action film, put yourself into the movies in the Foley Studio, and explore the creation of different sound effects in this interactive gallery.

Permanent Exhibit

Kids Place

A destination for the youngest explorers! Designed with a cityscape theme this gallery includes a life-sized Operation Game, X-Ray Table, Pin Ball Falls, and much more.

All Science Exhibititions

Select Medical Digital Cinema

Select Medical Digital Cinema (formerly IMAX Theater) is a large-format cinema arts theater which primarily focuses on both educational documentaries and Hollywood films and brings it all to life on the largest screen in Central PA!

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit

Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit explores the ways in which NASA uses underwater environments to simulate life and work in space, offering a fascinating look into the high-tech world of astronauts.

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Forces of Nature

Forces of Nature will showcase the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and severe storms as we follow scientists on their groundbreaking quests to understand how these natural disasters are triggered.

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Super Human Body: World of Medical Marvels

Super Human Body: World of Medical Marvels combines state-of-the-art CGI and live-action cinematography to explore the inner workings of our bodies and show how science and technology can help us intervene, and even save lives, when our bodies fail us.

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Ireland

Journey to a magical land of stunning natural wonders, ancient clifftop marvels, and a rich, cultural heritage in the new film Ireland for IMAX® and giant screen theatres.

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Into America’s Wild 3D

From the Academy Award® nominated producers of the acclaimed hit film National Parks Adventure comes Into America’s Wild, a visually stunning cross-country adventure into the hidden wonders of the natural world.

All Movies

Sunoco Performance Theater

This Broadway designed theater is home to almost 700 seats, with an intimate experience for all guests no matter where they sit, and has showcased local and regional talent as well as welcoming performing artists from national and international backgrounds.

Sep 22, 2026

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert

Relive the magic of Labyrinth with a special 40th anniversary event featuring the film with a live musical score on September 22, 2026!

Apr 18, 2026

Amber Ruffin: In Conversation

Emmy-, Tony-, and WGA-nominated comedy writer and performer (Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Amber Ruffin Show, Have I Got News For You) brings a special interview-style evening to Whitaker Center.

Mar 24, 2026

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo is gracing the stage at Whitaker Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2026!

Mar 19, 2026

Dancing With the Celts

See the talents of top Irish musicians and Nashville players collaborate for the energetic fusion that is The Celts! This show will take place in Whitaker Centers’ Sunoco Performance Theater on Thursday, March 19, 2026!

Mar 20, 2026

Gary Gulman: Misfit Stand Up Tour

Over 25 years in comedy, Gary Gulman has established himself as an eminent performer and peerless writer, and he’s bringing that signature wit to the stage at Whitaker Center on Friday, March 20!

All Theater Shows

PNC Innovation Zone

Get connected to the latest technology in the PNC Innovation Zone! In addition to educational programming and purposeful gaming, this zone provides businesses and organizations transformative spaces to create, meet, and connect.

About Innovation Zone

Kids & Schools

Create memories that will last a lifetime! Bring your students to Whitaker Center on a field trip or visit us on the weekend for an educator-led program. Fun and learning for all ages!

Little Learners