Music ensembles in the region are ringing in 2026 with tributes to great movie scores and songs. The Philadelphia Orchestra New Year’s Eve concert takes place Wednesday at 7 in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center. Anthony Parnther, called “Hollywood’s go-to conductor” by Billboard, wil l lead the orchestra in music from classic film scores such as “Sunset Boulevard,” “Psycho,” “Citizen Kane,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “E.T.” See www.ensembleartsphilly.org/ for tickets. The Reading Symphony Orchestra is holding a New Year’s Eve concert featuring the music of James Bond on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Santander Performing Arts Center. Under the baton of Music Director Andrew Constantine, the orchestra will be joined by vocalist Morgan James. For tickets, call 610-373-7557 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Fireworks display The city of Reading, in collaboration with Berks Festival Inc., is hosting a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be lit from Mount Penn during the celebration, with accompanying music being broadcast on WEEU-AM 830 and streamed online at 830WEEU.com and the LIVE365 and Audacy apps. Disney on Ice returns to Arena (Feld Entertainment) Disney on Ice Disney on Ice presents “Jump In” starting Friday and continuing through Jan. 3 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The show revisits cherished memories from Disney films past and present. See www.xfinitymobilearena.com/ for more information. Hijinx Festival The HiJinx Music Festival returns for its seventh year with two nights of high-energy performances and surprises Saturday and Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. All tickets are for both nights of the festival. Learn more about the lineup and tickets at hijinxfest.com/ Colonial Theatre The following events are coming up at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville: Start Making Sense Talking Heads Tribute on Saturday at 8 p.m. Start Making Sense celebrates the Talking Heads’ catalog with a seven-piece band meticulously executing the sounds and iconic live visual elements in every performance. Together these musicians bring the unique, infectious energy of a Talking Heads live show to the stage. New Year’s Eve at the Moulin Rouge on Wednesday starting at 9. Ring in the new year with Parisian flair and cabaret sparkle at this fundraiser in which the theater is transformed into the dazzling Moulin Rouge for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration with restive cheer, dining and entertainment, hosted by Phoenixville’s own Mayor Peter. For 21 and older only. There will be screenings of John Carpenter’s 1982 remake of “The Thing” on Friday at 7 and of “Trading Places” on Sunday at 1:30. For tickets and more information, see thecolonialtheatre.com/ Newtown Theater Bucks County’s Newtown Theater presents the following: From Broadway to Newtown PA – A Live Broadway Concert in Bucks County on Saturday at 8. This special concert brings Broadway talent performing songs from “My Fair Lady,” “Hello, Dolly,” “Show Boat” and more. Broadway singers DeLaney Westfall, Jason Gotay and Jonathan Christopher will be joined on piano by Dan Micciche, conductor of the Broadway smash “Wicked.” New Year’s Eve Comedy Countdown with Chris Monty on Wednesday at 6 and 9 p.m. Veteran comedian Monty channels a unique style of the 1960s cool funnyman mixed with a modern chic. His unique take on current topics and storytelling are reminiscent of the comics that would keep The Rat Pack in stitches. Chris Keegan will open the show. Learn more at www.thenewtowntheatre.com/. Sellersville Theatre The following events are coming up at the Sellersville Theatre in Bucks County: Almost Queen – A Tribute to Queen on Friday at 8 p.m., featuring iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes as originated by the great British band Queen. Raymond the Amish Comic on Sunday at 8. Raymond the Amish Comic has been performing stand-up for over 30 years., with a cult-like following at small theaters, fire halls, comedy clubs and fundraising events. Live Wire – The Ultimate AC/DC Experience on Monday at 8. This group boasts the most complete and authentic reproduction of AC/DC’s sound and stage performance. The Bangos – A Tribute to The Bangles and The Go-Go’s takes the stage on Tuesday at 8. This all-female band re-creates the music of two iconic bands from the 1980s. New Year’s Eve celebrations begin Wednesday at 6 with AM Radio – Horn Section offering a musical blast from the past. The band returns to the stage at 9 for a full-on dance party delivering the best of Philly Sound and Motown hits with guest vocalist David Nobles (formerly of The Trammps). For tickets and information, see /www.st94.com/. Kennett Square puts on a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration every year. (Submitted Photo) Midnight in the Square The annual Kennett Square New Year’s Eve celebration starts at 7 p.m. under the Sparkling Mushroom. Entertainment includes bands, stage shows and lasers. Free admission with a nonperishable food donation. The Mushroom Drop Countdown begins at 11:59. Kennett Flash The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square presents: Davide Pannozzo with Will Lee, Shawn Pelton, and Etienne Stadwijk on Saturday at 8 p.m. Modern blues guitarist and singer Pannozzo brings his explosive band to the stage, joined by an all-star lineup of bassist  Lee of “The Late Show with David Letterman” fame, “Saturday Night Live” drummer Pelton, and vocalist Etienne Stadwijk. The New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday at 8:30 features The Influence, a 1980s tribute band. For 21 and older only. The show ends at 11, in time to head to State Street for the Mushroom Drop at midnight. Tickets and more information at kennettflash.org/ Erich Cawalla is performing with the Uptown Band at SunnyBrook Ballroom for New Year’s Eve. (file photo) SunnyBrook Ballroom The Amish Outlaws perform Friday at 8 at the SunnyBrook Ballroom near Pottstown. The band offers a distinctive blend of hip-hop, rock, country, metal, disco and more. New Year’s Eve events at SunnyBrook begin with a matinee dance event featuring Parlor Noir from 1 to 4 p.m. Comedian Gareth Reynolds performs at 6 at SoulJoel’s. The ballroom New Year’s Eve celebration begins with a dinner buffet at 7:30. Erich Cawalla and the Uptown Band and DJ Jon Gosselin will provide the entertainment. See SoulJoels.com for more information. Ardmore Music Hall The following shows are coming to the Ardmore Music Hall: Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute with Groove Merchants on Friday at 8. Splintered Sunlight: Grateful Dead Tribute on Saturday at 8. Low Cut Connie Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30. Openers are Shelby Means Trio on Tuesday and Roberta Faceplant on Wednesday. Daytime New Year’s Eve Family Jam on Wednesday at 11 a.m. featuring music, arts and crafts and brunch. Tickets and details at https://ardmoremusichall.com/. Laugh Lounge Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center hosts a New Year Eve edition of The Laugh Lounge comedy series on Wednesday at 8. Performers are headliner Julia Scotti, featured comedian Chris Coccia and emcee Dana Charitonchick. Learn more at uptownwestchester.org/. The Peeps chick drops to ring in the new year Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, during Peeps Fest at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call) PEEPSFEST PEEPSFEST takes place Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem. It features family-friendly activities, fireworks, and the annual PEEPS Chick drop. There are indoor and outdoor attractions celebrating the regionally made holiday marshmallow treat. For details, see www.artsquest.org/festivals/more-festivals-and-experiences/peepsfest/. Cloister tours Lantern Tours, a theatrical event led by student historians, will be held on two weekends this winter at Ephrata Cloister. Dates are this Friday and Saturday and Jan. 2 and 3. Tours depart every half-hour from 6 to 8 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 45–60 minutes, and group sizes are limited to 25 participants. This year’s performance, “1777: When War Came to Ephrata,” will explore the winter when Ephrata’s peaceful community was transformed into a military hospital during the Revolutionary War. Advance tickets are required. Purchase tickets at www.storepatrailsofhistory.com/2/#/Admission. For more information, go to ephratacloister.org.   ...read more read less