Ice sculpture outside TheBurg office in Midtown in 2025.
The weather may be unseasonably warm this weekend, but Harrisburg is prepping for a very cool event on Saturday.
The city’s ninth annual Ice & Fire Festival will take place on March 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring dozens of ice sculptures, food and festivities.
“For nine years, this festival has transformed the coldest season of the year into one of the warmest celebrations of community you will find anywhere,” said Mayor Wanda Williams at a press conference Monday morning. “It has become a true Harrisburg tradition.”
Throughout downtown, Midtown, City Island, Reservoir Park, Italian Lake and Shipoke, the city will install 68 ice sculptures at businesses, parks and other locations. Sculptures include a Yorkie terrier, Pikachu, books, “67”, a sloth and several photo op sculptures as well. At 5 p.m., sculptures will be illuminated.
Due to the forecasted warm weather, city officials said they plan to place sculptures in shaded areas and will take them down if any become a safety hazard from melting.
Additionally, in the downtown area, there will be fire dancers, iceless ice skating, live music and performances, an artist market, an ice slide and live ice carving. And while the weather may not warrant it, the city will have fire pits with free s’mores kits and warming tents.
Also downtown, over a dozen food trucks and vendors will be serving up tacos, mini donuts, Filipino cuisine, milkshakes, empanadas and more.
Downtown and Midtown businesses will offer drink and food specials as well.
Krapf School Bus will offer free ADA accessible shuttle buses for festival attendees between City Island, downtown and Midtown. Buses depart every 30 minutes, roughly between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Beginning Friday, March 6 at noon, portions of N. 2nd Street will close to traffic. Expanded closures will take effect Saturday, from 6:30 a.m. through 11 p.m.
Discounted $10 parking will be available in the Market Square Garage from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg.
For more information on the Ice & Fire Festival, visit the city’s website.
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