Parks and Recreation Events

Join us in the Fort Hunter Centennial Barn to find the perfect holiday gift. Stroll around the Centennial Barn, Room 1, which will be filled with handmade crafts from local artisans.

Children and adults are invited to make holiday ornaments using pinecones, milkweed pods and other natural materials. Everything but the creativity will be supplied to make works of art to decorate for the holidays. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Each session holds 15 people.

Sample sweet and savory treats as you sip cups of spiced tea and enjoy the Mansion adorned for the holidays with fresh greens and natural trimmings. Guests begin their visit with a self-guided tour of the holiday decorations by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club and conclude with tea in the dining room. View a demonstration of making clear toy candy and enjoy the sound of holiday music with Becky Boone on her flute. Advance ticket purchase is required.

Visit the Olewine Nature Center to view and vote for your favorite photos! Take a tour of beautiful photographs from all of Dauphin County’s parks. Winners will be announced at the Photo Contest Reception on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded for winning entries. The People’s Choice Award winners will be announced in February after the display ends. 

Stop by the Nature Center Bird Viewing Area for a warm cup of bird- friendly coffee, tea or hot cocoa with Appalachian Audubon Society. Discover what birds visit our feeders most often and learn how to identify each one. On the second Saturday from November - April, join us in observing and counting common feeder birds as part of Project FeederWatch. Pre-registration is not required.