Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts

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COMING SOON.. 2025 Whitaker Summer Camps

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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.

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

KidsPlace

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.

EXPLORE

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.

EXPLORE

Permanent Exhibit

Carnival of Health

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls — step right up and experience the one and only Carnival of Health. More than 2,200 square feet of fun-filled themed entertainment opens your eyes to the wonders of healthy living and the human body.

EXPLORE

Jan 17, 2025 – Feb 23, 2025

Winter Glow

Introducing the “Winter Glow” exhibit, starting on January 17! Whitaker’s limited-time GLOW-IN-THE-DARK exhibit features interactive displays, glowing experiments, and mesmerizing installations. This exhibit is perfect for all ages and will light up your imagination and curiosity!

EXPLORE

Permanent Exhibit

STEM Design Studios

Get hands-on with different STEM topics. These engaging activities will allow parents and kids to explore STEM topics together, learning as a team. Enjoy activities and design challenges with Ozobots™ , Spheros™, 3Doodler™ 3D printing pens, tangrams, K’NEX® and much more!

EXPLORE

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!

Showtimes

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2025

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.

INFO & TICKETS

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2025

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.

INFO & TICKETS

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2025

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.

INFO & TICKETS

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2025

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.

INFO & TICKETS

Showing Until: Dec 31, 2025

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.

INFO & TICKETS

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.

Upcoming Shows

Jun 27, 2025

Killer Queen

Lead singer Patrick Myers said “It’s been an amazing journey. That first show changed my life. We thought our band would last maybe a summer at the most but it’s a very addictive thing performing these songs. The concerts grew and grew and we’ve ended up playing and selling out the same arenas that Queen played at their peak. It’s been quite a surreal ride. Becoming regular performers Red Rocks Arena in America is another highlight . The Beatles, U2, Springsteen, Dylan all played on that stage. It’s really got it’s own kind of magic going on there”

INFO & TICKETS

May 11, 2025

Murder on the Orient Express

“I believe it was the greatest case of my career, but who am I to say? Modesty forbids it.” Our fourth show of Season 99 will be a real nail-biter… AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS! Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. Running April 25-May 11 at the Whitaker Center.

INFO & TICKETS

Mar 19, 2025

Rhythm of the Dance

This incredible live show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, containing a wealth of Irish talent, featuring World and Irish champion dancers, some of the finest Traditional musicians and singers who are a big hit everywhere. Combining traditional dance and music with the most up to date stage technology, this two-hour dance and music extravaganza takes the audiences on an exhilarating and exciting, energy-packed time trip through the ages. It’s internationally rated as one of the most popular and busiest Irish step dance shows in the world making it such a success with critics and audiences worldwide. Be sure to share the experience when it comes to a venue near you. You’ll be very glad you did. It really is out of this world as seen by 7 million people in 50 countries.

INFO & TICKETS

Apr 13, 2025

An Open Book: An Evening with Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October

Experience an intimate and unforgettable evening with Justin Furstenfeld, the dynamic frontman of Blue October, as he brings his captivating solo show, An Open Book, to the Whitaker Center. Through heartfelt stories, raw emotions, and acoustic renditions of Blue October’s greatest hits, Justin invites you on a journey through his life and artistry. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with the music and the man behind it in a way like never before.

INFO & TICKETS

Mar 28, 2025

Four Phantoms

An extravagant celebration of the iconic music of Broad way and more, The Four Phantoms In Concert brings together four Phantoms from the Tony Award – winning The Phantom of the Opera for an unforgettable night of entertainment. The Four Phantoms features an extraordinary quartet of performers, including Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Francm D’Ambrosio, and Ciarán Sheehan under the music direction of Ryan Shirar.

INFO & TICKETS

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!