While many watched the countdown in Times Square, with the traditional crystal ball drop, cities and counties across Pennsylvania had their own twists on the celebration.

Here are a few of those traditions, listed alphabetically:

Allentown

Puck Drop

While puck drops are obviously common at a hockey arena, the city of Allentown took it up a notch with the world’s largest puck. The Queen City rang in 2026 with a Puck Drop outside the PPL Center.

Hundreds of drones took flight in a custom-designed show by StarFlight Drone Shows at midnight, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce said. Lehigh Valley Phantoms mascot MeLVin joined in the fun.

Bethlehem

Peep Drop

Lehigh Valley-based Just Born Candy Co., makers of Peeps, rang in the New Year by dropping a massive Peep chick. This took place during PeepsFest at Steelstacks in Bethlehem on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The two-day festival included live music, magicians, and kid-friendly entertainment. The Peep — a 400-pound chick — descended each night at 5:35 p.m., ringing in the New Year a little early to allow young kids to join in the fun.

Carlisle

Hotchee Dog Drop

The Hotchee Dog Drop is a unique celebration in Carlisle, where a culinary staple of one of its restaurants – a giant replica of the Hamilton Restaurant’s iconic Hotchee Dog – was dropped to ring in the New Year at 9 p.m.

There was a giveaway of the hot dogs as well as a hot dog eating contest.

Dillsburg

Pickle Drop

In York County, the Dillsburg community gathered for the annual Pickle Drop. The event began at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with food trucks. At midnight, the pickle dropped. There was also a “baby” pickle drop beginning at 4 p.m. for folks who couldn’t be up at midnight. That took place at Dillsburg Elementary with the “baby” pickle drop at 7 p.m.

Gettysburg

Lincoln Hat Raising

This Adams County community continued its tradition of raising President Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to ring in the New Year. The event took place at the aptly named Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg.

Harrisburg

Strawberry Drop

The Capital City held its annual New Year’s celebration Dec. 31 in downtown Harrisburg, with the famous strawberry drop at midnight, accompanied by a fireworks display.

There was also a kid’s glow party at 8:30 p.m. at City Hall where kids wore their brightest neon and white.

Hershey

Kiss Raise

Downtown Hershey hosted the annual Hershey Kiss Raise on New Year’s Eve. As the clock struck midnight in the Derry Township community, a laser and pyrotechnics display accompanied the rise of a Hershey Kiss.

For folks who couldn’t up until midnight, the main event began with a family hour from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a children’s musician, face painting and live music.

Lancaster

Red Rose Drop

The Red Rose City, fittingly, dropped a Red Rose at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It took take place at Penn Medicine Park in Lancaster with a kids party with face painters, balloon artists, photos with characters and more.

At midnight, the Red Rose dropped, accompanied by fireworks to ring in 2026.

Lebanon

Bologna Drop

A tradition inspired by the Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy took place in downtown Lebanon once again this year. Festivities began at 10 p.m. on South Eighth Street between Chestnut and Cumberland streets in the city. At midnight, the bologna rang in the New Year.

Mechanicsburg

Wrench Drop

A tradition dating back more than two decades in Cumberland County, Mechanicsburg rang in the New Year with the drop of a wrench. The event took place from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve until 12:30 a.m. at the Washington Fire Co. firehouse on East Main Street.

Devised by a Mechanicsburg Eagle Scout, it honors the history of the borough’s founders — mechanics who settled in the area.

York

White Rose Drop

Speaking of roses, the White Rose City also dropped their namesake flora to ring in the New Year. The event began at 10 p.m. on Continental Square with live music from Ralph Real and the Family Jam. At midnight, the White Rose dropped, ringing in 2026 in downtown York.