What To Do (Extra): Events to ring in the new year

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

The year 2025 is coming to an end and New Year’s Eve is here.

You might not find a “drop” in grocery prices as we head into 2026, but you will find a great “drop” if you head to Kennett Square on December 31.

On New Year’s Eve, Kennett Square will be partying in style when the Mushroom Festival and Kennett Area Restaurant & Merchant Association host the annual mushroom drop.

Kennett Square gears up for its New Years Eve celebration like no other – “Midnight in the Square,” famously known as “The Mushroom Drop.”

It is an evening filled with laughter, music, and the iconic lowering of the light-encrusted 500-pound stainless steel mushroom.

The Mushroom, adorned with twinkling lights, is lifted several stories high and suspended in anticipation above Kennett Square. Come midnight, it gracefully descends, casting its radiant glow and ushering in the New Year in style.

The party kicks off at 7 p.m. at the intersection of State and Union streets with an entertainment lineup featuring Veronica, the KMC Dancers and School of Rock. Topping the bill will be Syde 2 and Fred McCarthy. They’ll keep the place rocking until 12:30 a.m.

The huge crane takes center stage between 8:50-9 p.m., lifting the Mushroom in preparation for its grand descent. It’s a moment of anticipation and wonder perfect for the younger kids who can’t quite make it till midnight.

Music and entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. and feature School of Rock, KMC Dancers, Veronica, Syde 2 and Fred McCarthy.

This year’s entertainment also includes a brand-new laser show that will paint the night sky with bursts of color. The laser show will be provided by Lehigh Valley Events & Productions, LLC. They will also provide a photo booth for 2 hours.

Another attraction is the Mushroomed 50/50 Raffle. Food and beverages will be available.

In the spirit of giving, your admission is simple –bring along non-perishable food items for Kennett Area Community Service.

Parking is available at Kennett High School and the 600 South Broad Street lot.

Just down the road, Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) is celebrating New Year’s Eve in style.

Visitors will be able to ring in the New Year with musical treats around every corner.

Longwood Gardens invites guests “to enjoy outdoor musicians, our historic organ, and more!”

New Year’s Eve performances get underway with automated organ music from noon-5 p.m. in the Ballroom.

The Galena Brass will perform from 4-9 p.m. outside of the Pierce-du Pont House while the Olde Towne Carolers will be doing their thing throughout the Gardens from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Polkadelphia will be making music from 5-9 p.m. outside of the East Conservatory Entrance.

In the Ballroom, there will be live organ music with David Christopher from 5-7:30 p.m. and Marc Cheban from 7:30-10 p.m.

All events are free with Gardens Admission which is $42 for adults and $25 for youth.

The most famous New Year’s Eve “drops” are the extravagant Waterford Crystal Ball in Times Square in New York City, the peach in Atlanta and the orange in Miami Beach.

There are quite a few “drops” worth checking out that are within a short drive from Chester County including Yuengling Beer bottle in Pottsville, strawberry in Harrisburg, Pac-Man in Hanover, Lebanon Bologna in Lebanon, Marshmallow Peep in Bethlehem, Hershey’s Kiss in Hershey and sled in Duncannon.

Other distinctive area drops include pickle in Dillsburg, button in Carlisle, white rose in York, anchor in Shippensburg, Bucky the Beaver in Beavertown, lightbulb in Sunbury, wrench in Mechanicsburg, kettle in McClure, coal in Shamokin, and duck decoy in Havre de Grace (Maryland).

Many “drops” around the country have vibes of their own – key lime pie in Key West, Florida; carp in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; a doughnut in Hagerstown, Maryland; a chunk of cheese in Plymouth, Wisconsin; walleye fish in Port Clinton, Ohio; a bunch of grapes in Temecula, California; watermelon in Vincennes, Indiana; a live possum in Brasstown, North Carolina; eight-foot-tall glittering flip flops in Folly Beach, South Carolina; and a wooden flea in Eastover, North Carolina.

Philadelphia doesn’t drop anything on New Year’s Eve – even though it has great options like the Liberty Bell, a Rocky statue or a cheesesteak. Instead of dropping something down, Philly sends something up. Every New Year’s Eve, it sends a massive barrage of fireworks into the sky.

When evening arrives in the Philadelphia area on New Year’s Eve, it means that it is time for the Philadelphia New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront — a gala pyrotechnics display that explodes over the Delaware River.

The New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features two major pyrotechnics displays over the Delaware River.

The fireworks can be viewed from either Penn’s Landing on Delaware Avenue or Wiggins Park on the Camden side of the river.

Traditionally, the aerial fireworks extravaganza took place at midnight. This year, there will again be a show at midnight and another fireworks display at 6 p.m. on December 31.

Both fireworks displays, which last approximately 15 minutes each, will be launched from a barge in the middle of the Delaware River and will be choreographed to music played through speakers at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and at the riverfront area in Wiggins Park.

There is a new attraction this year.

The National Liberty Museum’s replica Liberty Bell will be transported to Cherry Street Pier to ring in the new year and to celebrate the kick-off for the year-long celebration of 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.

The festivities also include a concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway headlined by hip-hop superstar LL Cool J — and another fireworks extravaganza.

The Parkway fireworks show will run at the same time as the midnight waterfront display.

The concert will also feature Adam Blackstone, DJ Jazzy Jeff,  Dorothy and DJ Technician The DJ.

A popular New Year’s Eve destination along the Delaware River to watch the fireworks is RiverRink (Market Street and Delaware Avenue, 215-925-RINK, www.riverrink.com).

The rink will host its “Annual New Year’s Eve Party on Ice” not once but twice – from 5-8 p.m. and from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

The festive, non-alcoholic party with food, Mummers, party favors and live entertainment costs $63 for skaters and $53 for spectators. Parking at DRWC-owned lots (Market and Lombard Streets) is $40 per car.

Other good riverside locations to watch the show in the sky over the Delaware River are Cherry Street Pier, 121 North Delaware Avenue; Moshulu, 401 South Delaware Avenue; Liberty Point, 211 South Delaware Avenue; and Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton Street, Camden, New Jersey.

The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia and the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington offer special family-oriented matinee events on December 31 every year to celebrate the start of a new year.

The Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, 215-581-3181, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org) is known for its traditional “Countdown to Noon”.

Please Touch Museum has reimagined its New Year’s Eve event this year as it celebrates with shows celebrations from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Guests are invited to join the museum staff for a morning or afternoon timed ticket session that includes two-and-a-half hours of play at the Museum, art workshops, New Year’s Eve party hats and glasses, a visit from Jazzy the Clown and a dance party with a ball drop in Hamilton Hall.

Tickets are $30. Please Touch Museum will close at 3:30 p.m. following this event.

The event in Wilmington, which is officially called “Zoo Year’s Eve,” is a popular all-ages celebration that runs from 10 a.m.-noon at the Brandywine Zoo (1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-571-7747,www.brandywinezoo.org).

The daytime party features a celebration with games, crafts and a countdown with a ball drop.

Hot chocolate will be available for purchase at the snack bar. Some animals may not be out because of the cold weather

Admission is $5 with check-in at the main admission gate. Most festivities will take place outdoors, so visitors are advised to dress for winter weather.

Another popular event in the First State will run through next week.

The Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, https://delmns.org/) is presenting a “Cretaceous Carnival” now through January 3.

Visitors can travel back in time for a “dino-mite” week of fun, featuring nature and science-themed games, activities, and prehistoric prizes.

They can test their skills with a bean bag toss for a chance to win a poster, dig for fossils, and explore the wonders of the Cretaceous period through hands-on challenges and interactive exhibits.

The event, which runs from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, is perfect for families and curious kids of all ages – an event where science meets carnival flair.

The museum will also have another popular event – “Roaring in the New Year” on December 321 from 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Visitors can celebrate the New Year with a special countdown to 2026 that is designed for people of all ages and stages.

It features celebratory, hands-on activities including a science-related ball drop. Pre-registration requested and walk-ins welcome if space is available.

There is no general admission on December 31 because the museum closes for the day after the event ends.

“Betsy’s Birthday Celebration” at the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, http://historicphiladelphia.org) is scheduled for December 31 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Betsy Ross was born on New Year’s Day all the way back in 1752.

The Betsy Ross House will celebrate her birthday with storytelling and free cupcakes for all guests of her historic home.

The Betsy Ross House receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

New Year’s Day in Philadelphia is all about the Mummers Parade (www.phlvisitorcenter.com/Mummers) — a festive celebration featuring string bands, comic units and fancy divisions all strutting their stuff on Broad Street.

The event is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The parade is always televised but you need to see it live if you want to really appreciate the sights and sounds of the annual extravaganza.

The Mummers tradition dates back to 400 B.C. and the Roman Festival of Saturnalias when laborers marched in masks throughout the day. Reports of rowdy groups “parading” on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia date back before the revolution.

The practice of awarding prizes was initiated in the late 1800’s and the first “official” event was held in 1901. The Mummers Parade has grown in size and stature and currently features approximately 15,000 participants.

The 2026 Parade will begin at 9 a.m. with the Fancy Division, followed by the Comic Division, Comic Wench Division and then the String Band Division.

The Mummers have a little bit for everyone. There are more than 10,000 Mummers broken up into five divisions — the Fancies, the Comics, the Wench Brigades, the String Bands and the Fancy Brigades.

Because it is an outdoor event, inclement weather could come into play. The outdoor parade was postponed in 2003, the first time in 13 years. There have been 22 weather-related postponements since 1922.

For a unique way to kick off 2026, head south to Middletown, Delaware on New Year’s Day to celebrate town’s annual Hummers Parade (Main Street, Middletown, Delaware, 302-378-7545).

Every year on New Year’s Day, Middletown’s Hummers Parade slowly but not very methodically moves down Main Street. The parade, which is intended as a spoof of Philadelphia’s Mummers, is a loosely organized event that welcomes everyone to join in the fun.

On January 1, floats and groups will assemble in the parking lot in Middletown. The parade of spoofs is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.

The parade route starts at South Cass Street and moves onto Park Place. It exits Park Place onto South Broad Street, travels down Broad Street and makes a left onto West Main Street, ending back at its starting point.

Participants in the parade arrive around noon to put the floats together. The floats should be put together on site and are spoofs of national and local events. All are welcome to join in the parade. The parade is not sponsored by the Town of Middletown or any specific group.

Trophies will be awarded in categories that have yet to be determined. No registration or sign up is required and there are no rules.

Actually, there are two basic unwritten rules — taste doesn’t matter, and no-one is permitted to work on a float or a costume any earlier than the morning of the event (and, if they do, they must lie and say they didn’t).

On January 1, Pennsylvania State Parks will host a “First Day, First Hike” program to celebrate the national movement sponsored by America’s State Parks to have all 50 states offer First Day Hikes.

A participating “First Day, First Hike” state park in Chester County will be Marsh Creek State Park (675 Park Road, Downingtown) on January 1 at 1 p.m.

Visitors can join Ranger Kim for a New Years Hike. The 1.5-mile terrain will be easy to navigate, but the trivia questions range in difficulty. See how well you know Marsh Creek and this free event.

Registration is not required. Participants should meet at the West Boat Launch at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

Ridley Creek State Park (1023 Sycamore Mills Rd., Media) will stage its event from 10 a.m.-noon.

The Friends of Ridley are again hosting a First Day Hike along the Equestrian Trail, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on January 1 behind Pavilion #8.

Friends Group President Jack Miller and Trails Chairman Gary Sawyer will lead a 3.5-mile lollipop loop with views of the creek and a stop at the historic hilltop Russell Cemetery. It is expected to last 2 to 2 ½ hours.

The hike starts at the parking lot behind Pavilion 8, descends to the creek at Gradyville Road, passes by an area recovering from a tornado in 2019, and winds around a lovely wooded section up and over Hunting Hill and the Russell Cemetery.

The trail is wide, mostly gravel, with good footing. Be prepared for early January weather conditions, and for elevation gains of about 350 ft. there will be free hot chocolate, coffee, and light refreshments at the trailhead after the hike.

There is a limit of 25 participants for the hike. Dogs are allowed on leash at all times.

At French Creek State Park (843 Park Road, Elverson), participants will be hiking the two-mile Scotts Run Loop. This trail is considered fairly easy.

During the hike, various Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs will be staged along the trail. As hikers pass the signs, they will learn about their meaning, history, and how they relate to local culture.

All ages – and leashed dogs – are welcome. No sign up required.

Other walks at state parks in the area will be held at Tyler State Park, Fort Washinton State Park, and Washington’s Crossing State Park.

Delaware State Parks (www.destateparks.com/first-day-hikes/) are also celebrating the first day of the New Year with hikes in the park.

Parks around Delaware will host a “First State, First Day, First Hike” program to celebrate the national movement sponsored by America’s State Parks to have all 50 states offer First Day Hikes.

Designed to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks, all 50 state park systems joined together to sponsor First Day Hikes for the first time in 2012.

Nearby participating Delaware State Parks are Alapocas Run State Park, Auburn Valley State Park, Brandywine Creek State Park, Bellevue State Park, Brandywine Zoo and White Clay Creek State Park.

On January 1 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, www.winterthur.org), there will be a special “New Year’s Day Hike.”

Visitors can start the new year with intention, inspiration, and the great outdoors. Winterthur will host a rejuvenating guided hike through the stunning landscapes on the estate starting at 11:15 a.m.

Estate guides will lead participants on a peaceful, family-friendly journey through scenic meadows, woodlands, and trails.

Admission to Yuletide at Winterthur is $30 for adults, $28 for seniors and students and $9 for children. Infants (under 2) are admitted free.