Celebrate the Final Days of Summer at Harrisburg’s Kipona Festival

Join the City of Harrisburg for a three-day end of summer celebration from August 30 to September 1, 2025 at River Front Park and City Island. Event goers can enjoy a Family Fun Zone, live music, Art in the Park, food trucks, beer & wine garden, a Giant Puppet Parade, Keystone Dock Dogs competition, drone & fireworks show, and so much more. The streets will come alive with a wide variety of cultural celebrations all weekend long!

Festival Favorites

The Kipona Festival is an event with fun for the whole family, celebrating its 109th year! From cultural performances to a puppet parade, event goers will have an array of free activities. The event runs August 30 from 11AM-7PM, August 31 from 11AM-8PM (with a drone and fireworks show to follow), and September 1 from 11AM-6PM.

Giant Puppet Parade

August 30 at 2:45PM (Rain date is Sunday, August 31 at 2:45PM)

Watch as a parade of handcrafted puppets move through the streets of Harrisburg! Event goers are invited to get crafty and join the parade with their own creative works. A street band will add to the excitement of the Giant Puppet Parade.

Keystone Dock Dogs Competition

August 30–September 1

Dog lovers are invited to participate in the Keystone Dock Dogs Competition on City Island! There will be a 40-foot long pool to watch pups enjoy some time in the water as they show off their athleticism in the Big Air Wave (long jump), Extreme Vertical Wave (high jump), and speed retrieve competitions. Bring your own pup to participate or enjoy the excitement as a spectator.

Drone & Fireworks Show

August 31 at 8:10PM

Look to the sky for a spectacular drone and fireworks show sponsored by PHFA on Sunday, August 31 at 8:10PM. More than 100 drones equipped with lights will be choreographed to illuminate various designs in the sky followed by a spectacular fireworks display above the Susquehanna River.

Native American Festival

August 30 & August 31 from 12-5PM

This annual tradition features Native foods, crafts, dances, music, and more on City Island. There will be Iroquois Dancers, hoop dance, MMIW presentations, performances by the Grey Cloud and Smokey River Singers, storytelling, and more.

Multicultural Celebration

A wide variety of cultures will be highlighted through dance and music performances, demonstrations, food, free activities, and vendor booths. These celebrations will take take place each day of the festival.

Family Fun Zone

The UPMC Family Fun Zone will feature free activities for the whole family in Riverfront Park near Forster Street. There will be free activities like face painting and balloon animals as well as pay-to-play activities including carnival games, sand art, a giant fun slide, and berry go round carnival ride. Several one-day attractions, such as the popular Bubble Festival, will also take place. Nearby City Island also offers the railroad, mini golf, Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, and Harrisburg Beach Club.

Live Music

Enjoy performances from 15 local bands and musicians at the Capital Blue Cross stage located in Riverfront Park near State Street. There will also be bands and dance groups performing in the Multicultural Celebration stage near Market Street.

Art in the Park

Over 70 artisans will be set up along the riverfront during the festival. Shop a variety of handcrafted items such as jewelry, artwork, apparel, pottery, glassworks, bath and body products, home décor and more.

Chili Cook-Off

August 30 from 12-4PM
Ballots due at 3PM, and winners announced at 3:45PM

The annual Chili Cook-Off returns to the Kipona Festival, bringing an afternoon of flavor, fun, and fierce competition to Sawyer’s at 210 North 2nd Street. Guests can sample more than 20 unique chili recipes while enjoying live music and cold refreshments. Prizes will be awarded to the top three Amateur and Professional Chilis, along with honors for People’s Choice and Best Presentation. The event is presented by Harrisburg DRINKS and sponsored by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (DID).

Food & Beverage

There will be 25 food trucks onsite serving festival favorites such as funnel cakes and fresh cut fries along with more unique dining options such as dumplings, mini pancakes, a wide variety of cultural cuisines, and more. Enjoy a beer from city breweries and wine from local wineries along the riverfront while listening to live music.

Parking Information

• Metered street parking is free on August 31 and September 1. On August 30, street parking in the Downtown area (see map here) is free after 5PM.

• $5 parking at the River Street Garage between 8AM-5PM (must enter & exit within this time frame) on Saturday, August 30.
• $5 parking on City Island.
• The Market Square Garage is discounted to $10 from 10AM-10PM courtesy of Park Harrisburg (must enter & exit within this time frame).
• The train station is a short three-block walk away.
• A free ADA accessible shuttle bus sponsored by Yeager Home Improvement will loop between City Island (parking garage side) and the riverfront festival (Front & Walnut Street) throughout the event each day.

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