Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts - Harrisburg, PA

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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

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.

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 11, 2025 – May 30, 2026

Girls in STEAM

Join Whitaker Center for workshops designed for girls in 3rd – 8th grade, with activities that connect with real-world applications of STEAM through design, programming, coding, engineering, and more!

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.

Feb 27, 2026 – May 24, 2026

Survival of the Slowest

This world class exhibit, produced by Little Ray’s Nature Center and hosted at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, will feature habitats with live animals and plants. Visitors will have the chance to see a Two-Toed Sloth, Green Iguana, Chameleon, and dozens of other incredible species!

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!

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2026

Great Barrier Reef 3D

Every year millions of visitors travel by way of fins, flippers and feet to see one of the seven wonders of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef – a living treasure trove of biodiversity.

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

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

Journey to Space 3D

In the past half century, humans have punched through the stratosphere, walked on the moon, and lived continuously in orbit. In the coming decades, our unquenchable curiosity will take our species beyond the cradle of Earth to touch the face of another 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 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.

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.

Apr 22, 2026

Puppy Pals Live!

Puppy Pals Live, the Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show, hits the stage at Whitaker Center on Wednesday, April 22!

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!

May 5, 2026

Luis Elizondo – Persona Non Grata (Live Tour)

Attend Luis Elizondo’s show for exclusive insights and discussions on UAPs, defense, and intelligence from top experts.

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