The ball has dropped, the fireworks have flashed across the sky and 2020 has begun.
The year ahead has loads of returning favorites in the world of entertainment as well as plenty of new activities. Here’s what you can expect to find as the new decade begins.
Comedy
Ron White: The Blue Collar Comedy Tour star returns to Wilkes-Barre for a show Thursday, Jan. 9, at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Tracy Morgan: No Disrespect: The former “SNL” and “30 Rock” star will perform at Cove Haven Resort, Lakeville, on Saturday, Jan. 25. covepoconoresorts.com or 800-432-9932
Joel McHale: The “Community” star brings his stand-up act to the Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Plains Twp., on Saturday, Feb. 22. mohegansunpocono.com or 570-831-2100
Jeff Dunham: The ventriloquist and his troupe of dummies head to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp., with their “Seriously!?” tour on Sunday, Feb. 23. mohegansunarenapa.com
Gabriel Iglesias: The popular comedian’s “Beyond the Fluffy” World Tour: “Go Big or Go Home” stops at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Friday, April 24. mohegansunarenapa.com
Impractical Jokers: The truTV stars’ “Scoopski Potatoes Tour” stops at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 12. mohegansunarenapa.com
Dance
“Swan Lake”: The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine, presents this classic production at F.M. Kirby Center on Thursday, Jan. 30. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
JAKE DANNA STEVENS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders pitcher Michael King warms up in the bullpen against Pawtucket on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.
Sports and outdoors
19th annual NEPA Home and Garden Show: Check out products and services in a range of categories, from remodelers and building materials to pools and landscaping from Friday, Jan. 24, to Sunday, Jan. 26, at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. mohegansunarenapa.com
Scranton Half-Marathon: Registration is now open for the half-marathon and other races that will happen in Scranton the weekend of Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29. scrantonhalf.com or 570-955-0921
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders opening day: The baseball team kicks off its season against Buffalo at PNC Field, Moosic, on Thursday, April 9. milb.com/scranton-wb or 570-969-2255
25th annual Steamtown Marathon: The race will take place across the Lackawanna Valley, ending in downtown Scranton, on Sunday, Oct. 11, and registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1. steamtownmarathon.com or racecommittee@hotmail.com
Stage
A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters”: “I Dream of Jeanie” actress Barbara Eden and “Spin City’s” Barry Bostwick team up for this play Saturday, Feb. 1, at Scranton Cultural Center. scrantonculturalcenter.org or 570-344-1111
“Rent”: The Tony award-winning musical continues its 20th anniversary tour with a stop at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, on Tuesday, Feb. 11. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
“The Play That Goes Wrong”: Broadway Theatre League of NEPA presents the Olivier Award-winning comedy from Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, at Scranton Cultural Center. broadwayinscranton.com or 570-342-7784
Masters of Illusion: CWTV’s hit magicians take their act to the stage at F.M. Kirby Center on Wednesday, March 4. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
“Finding Neverland”: The national tour of the musical about the origins of “Peter Pan” comes to F.M. Kirby Center on Monday, March 9. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
“Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story”: Presented by Broadway Theatre League of NEPA, this musical offers a look into the life of the legendary singer from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, at Scranton Cultural Center. broadwayinscranton.com or 570-342-7784
“Fiddler on the Roof”: The beloved musical returns to Scranton courtesy of Broadway Theatre League, which presents the show from Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26, at Scranton Cultural Center. broadwayinscranton.com or 570-342-7784
“The Color Purple”: This Tony winner stops at F.M. Kirby Center with its Pulitzer Prize-winning story on Sunday, May 17. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
“An American in Paris”: Broadway Theatre League wraps up its 2019-20 season with a musical featuring the classic music of George Gershwin from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, at Scranton Cultural Center. broadwayinscranton.com or 570-342-7784
Music
Phil Vassar – Stripped Down: The county singer heads to Mount Airy Casino Resort, 312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, for an all-ages show on Thursday, Jan. 9. mountairycasino.com or 877-682-4791
Winter Blues Guitarmageddon IV: Vanessa Collier headlines this concert that also features “King” Solomon Hicks, the Gabe Stillman Band and emcee Chris “Bad News” Barnes on Friday, Feb. 21, at Scranton Cultural Center. scrantonculturalcenter.org or 570-344-1111
Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: In its latest pops concert, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic honors the legendary singer Friday, Feb. 14, at F.M. Kirby Center. nepaphil.org or 570-270-4444
The Roadshow Tour: Bethel Music, Matt Maher, Martin Smith of Delirious?, Unspoken and more will perform at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Friday, March 6. mohegansunarenapa.com
The Celtic Tenors: Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the singing trio will perform Saturday, March 7, at the Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Ave., Scranton. thetheateratnorth.com or 570-800-5020
Jake Owen: The country star brings his “Down to the Tiki Tonk” Tour to F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre, on Saturday, March 7. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Aaron Lewis: Catch the country star’s “State I’m In Tour” on Friday, March 13, at Mohegan Sun at Casey Plaza. mohegansunarenapa.com
Michael Feinstein: The legendary pianist comes to the Theater at North for an all-ages concert Friday, March 13. thetheateratnorth.com or 570-800-5020
The Beach Boys: Original member Mike Love is joined by a talented supporting group as they present the music of the legendary band at F.M. Kirby Center on Sunday, April 5. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Masterworks: Celebrating Tchaikovsky: The NEPA Philharmonic performs some of the Russian composer’s best-loved works on Saturday, May 2, at Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College, Scranton. nepaphil.org or 570-270-4444
Lauren Daigle: Special guest Johnnyswim will join the Grammy winner when her world tour stops at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Wednesday, July 1. mohegansunarenapa.com
The Peach Music Festival: The annual musical gathering takes over Montage Mountain, Scranton, from Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5, with fireworks each night. thepeachmusicfestival.com
Camp Bisco: Montage Mountain’s other multi-day music festival runs from Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11. campbisco.com
Alabama: After having to postpone this stop on its 50th anniversary twice, the iconic band now looks to perform at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Friday, Oct. 2. mohegansunarenapa.com
KENT NISHIMURA / LOS ANGELES TIMES / TNS
Beach Boys’ Mike Love performs at Amoeba Music on Dec. 6, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Art
“Forming the Maslow Collection: A Reflection on the New York City Art Scene in the ’80s and ’90s”: The Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry St., Scranton, will display pieces Marilyn and Richard Maslow collected mostly in the 1980s and ’90s from Thursday, Feb. 6, through Monday, May 25. everhart-museum.org or 570-346-7186
“Every Stitch Counts: Youth Activism through Textile Arts”: Quilts created by youth across the country make up this exhibit on display from Thursday, June 11, through Monday, Aug. 17, at the Everhart Museum as part of Social Justice Sewing Academy collaboration. everhart-museum.org or 570-346-7186
“Eyes on America”: From Thursday, Sept. 3, through Thursday, Dec. 31, Everhart Museum guests can see this exhibit focusing on different symbols of America. everhart-museum.org or 570-346-7186
Festivals
Clarks Summit Festival of Ice: Icetendo: Ice sculptures will dot the landscape of downtown Clarks Summit, where other special activities will take place during the annual festival running from Friday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 16. facebook.com/csfestivalofice or 570-587-9045
Railfest: Traditionally held over Labor Day weekend, the annual event celebrating railroading at Steamtown National Historic Site, 350 Cliff St., Scranton, will now move to June as a way to kick off the summer, taking place Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. nps.gov/stea or 570-340-5200
Movies
William Shatner with screening of “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan”: On Friday, Jan. 17, fans will watch the beloved sci-fi film at F.M. Kirby Center, and star William Shatner will share stories from career, including “Star Trek” and beyond, and participate in an audience-led question-and-answer session. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Winter Film Festival: The Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., will hold its next film festival from Friday, Feb. 21, through Thursday, March 12. dietrichtheater.com 570-996-1507
Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival: The annual celebration of film returns from Friday, March 27, to Sunday, March 29, at several venues in the region. nepafilmfestival.com
Family
Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp., will host several performances from Wednesday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 19. mohegansunarenapa.com
Monster Jam Triple Threat Series: Monster Jam vehicles and athletes offer racing, freestyle and more action from Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday Feb. 16, at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. mohegansunarenapa.com
The Harlem Globetrotters: The legendary basketball troupe brings its “Pushing the Limits World Tour” to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 22. mohegansunarenapa.com
“Trolls Live!”: The trolls hits the road for their first live tour, stopping at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25. mohegansunarenapa.com
“Llama Llama Live!”: A beloved children’s story comes to life on stage Saturday, April 4, at F.M. Kirby Center. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Wild Kratts Live 2.0: Activate Creature Power!: The stars of PBS’ popular series, “Wild Kratts,” take their show to the stage at F.M. Kirby Center on Wednesday, April 22. kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Jurassic World Live Tour: The film series comes to life at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, where fans will encounter dinosaurs and more adventure from Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 22. mohegansunarenapa.com
Special events
An Evening of Fine Food and Wine: This annual fundraiser featuring area eateries and specialty drinks celebrates its 20th anniversary on Sunday, April 19, at Scranton Cultural Center. scrantonculturalcenter.org or 570-344-1111
Annual St. Patrick’s Parade: One of downtown Scranton’s biggest events will happen Saturday, March 14, with the Brian P. Kelly Memorial two-mile ace starting at 11 a.m. and the parade stepping off at 11:45. stpatparade.com
Northeastern PA Race for the Cure: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Race for the Cure at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, Scranton, will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, once again raising money for Susan G. Komen and the fight against breast cancer. komengreaterpennsylvania.org
Annual Times Tower Lighting: Join Times-Shamrock Communications, owner of The Times-Tribune, for the annual festive lighting of the radio tower atop the Scranton Times Building, 149 Penn Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 25. thetimes-tribune.com or 570-348-9100
Caitlin Heaney West is the content editor for Access NEPA and oversees the Early Access blog in addition to working as a copy editor and staff writer for The Times-Tribune. An award-winning journalist, she is a summa cum laude graduate of Shippensburg University and also earned a master’s degree from Marywood University. Caitlin joined the Times-Shamrock family in 2009 and lives in Scranton. Contact: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; or @cheaneywest
