Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts - Harrisburg, PA

Here’s What’s Going On This Month at Whitaker!

Plan Your Visit

A New Exhibit Has Landed

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Awesome Live Shows Here

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Walk Amongst the Stars at Space Day 2026

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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.

Ages 2 and Under

Tiny Tots

Join Tiny Tots at Whitaker Center for engaging science exploration activities designed for toddlers (age 2 and under) and their grown-ups! grown-ups use song, movement, art, and sensory exploration to explore science!

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.

Ages 3-5

Little Learners

Little Learners ages 3-5 meet Wednesdays, October through May. Sharpen science process skills and experiment, read, explore, sing, and create!

Sep 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027

Mission Aerospace Lands at Whitaker Center!

Explore this interactive maze to learn about the history of flight, navigation, and NASA’s vision for the future. Experiment with thrust, lift, control surfaces, and gyroscopes. Build rockets and paper airplanes, then test them for distance and air-dexterity.

All Science Exhibititions

Select Medical Digital Cinema

Select Medical Digital Cinema (formerly IMAX Theater) is a large-format cinema arts theater that primarily focuses on bringing educational documentaries to life on the largest screen in Central PA!

Now Showing

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.

Now Showing

Dream Big: Engineering Our World

From the world’s tallest building to underwater robots and a solar car race across Australia, Dream Big celebrates the human ingenuity and stories behind engineering marvels big and small, and reveals the heart that drives engineers to create better lives for people around the world.

Now Showing

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.

Now Showing

National Parks Adventure 3D

Narrated by Academy Award® winner Robert Redford, National Parks Adventure takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness.

Now Showing

Great Bear Rainforest

Journey to a land of grizzlies, coastal wolves, sea otters and the all-white spirit bear — the rarest bear on earth — in the film Great Bear Rainforest 3D, narrated by Ryan Reynolds.

All Movies

Sunoco Performance Theater

This Broadway-designed theater seats almost 700, offering an intimate experience for all guests, no matter where they sit! Often featuring local and regional talent as well as welcoming performing artists from national and international backgrounds.

Nov 25, 2026

The Machine performs Pink Floyd

Join us at Whitaker Center on November 25, 2026, for an unforgettable night with The Machine, the acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute band that has been extending the legendary group’s musical legacy for over 30 years.

Oct 10, 2026

Space Day 2026

Celebrate World Space Week 2026 at Whitaker Center, featuring amazing exhibits, guest lectures with an astronaut, and an amazing planetarium experience!

Dec 16, 2026

Brian Stokes Mitchell

Experience the magic of Broadway legend, Brian Stokes Mitchell, as he showcases his rich voice in an evening of unforgettable music.

Oct 28, 2026

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Experience the Glenn Miller Orchestra today, performing beloved hits and modern selections in the unforgettable Miller style.

Oct 15, 2026

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live

Experience the magic of Fraggle Rock as the Fraggles embark on an adventure to restore the legendary Celebration Stone. Join them at Whitaker Center on October 15, 2026!

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