Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts - Harrisburg, PA

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Meet the Animals That Win by Doing Less

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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

Oct 15, 2025 – May 27, 2026

Little Learners

Little Learners meet September through May, and is designed for children aged 3-6. Sharpen science process skills and experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly themed activities.

Oct 26, 2025 – May 23, 2026

Tech Explorers

In these 2-hour workshops, students will explore a new aspect of technology in each session. Every topic will build problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and creative confidence. Each workshop is hands-on and designed to spark curiosity in young tech learners.

Oct 12, 2025 – May 17, 2026

Scout Sundays at Whitaker

Whitaker Center offers exciting, hands-on Scout Workshops designed to help participants earn badges while exploring science, technology, engineering, and more. From robotics and coding to engineering challenges and design thinking, each workshop is tailored to meet badge requirements in a fun and interactive way. Scouts can register with their troop or as individuals, and every participant will leave with their earned badge(s) to proudly add to their vest or sash.

Sep 9, 2025 – May 26, 2026

Tiny Tots

Tiny Tots is a weekly program for toddlers (ages 2 and under) to encourage children’s early science exploration. Tots and grown-ups will use song, movement, art and sensory explorations of different topics in a developmentally appropriate environment.

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

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.

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

Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D

Join environmental advocates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Wade Davis as they set out with their daughters, traveling deep into the Grand Canyon and down the river that runs through it.

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Tornado Alley 3D

Tornado Alley is a giant-screen adventure that takes viewers on an epic chase through the “severe weather capital of the world.”

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.

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.

Mar 24, 2026

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

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

Mar 7, 2026

Tupelo Honey

Join Tupelo Honey in celebrating the classic hits of Van Morrison. Experience electrifying performances by talented musicians on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 7:30 P.M.

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.

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!

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