Upcoming Events

Gallo pinto on a plate garnished with avacode and lime slices.
World Kitchen

Costa Rica

Join host Tamra Fatemi-Badi as she Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow Karla Miranda to the World Kitchen. Karla will share a very traditional Costa Rican meal called Pinto Gallo. Continue »

Sunday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom

 

PBS KIDS Family Game Night

Join WPSU for an evening of fun as we create and play a brand-new board game, Lyla’s Adventure Cube! Feel free to bring along your own board game to play as well! Children and their families are invited to join us for this FREE event. Pizza and snacks will be provided. Continue »

Thursday, January 23, from 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

 

Grade school age kids huddle around a table and writing.

Poetry Writing Workshop for Grades K – 5

Find your writing inspiration with this FREE virtual poetry writing workshop led by Jessica Ram from the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University. Continue »

Wednesday, January 29, from 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

 

Mirko Loeffler in a white chef jacket standing in a restaurant dining room.

33rd Annual Connoisseur’s Dinner & Auction

WPSU proudly presents our signature event, celebrating the 60th anniversary of public media at Penn State. This year’s dinner will be held at the iconic and newly renovated Nittany Lion Inn, offering an evening of culinary excellence and community engagement. Leading this year’s immersive epicurean journey is Executive Chef Mirko Loeffler of the Nittany Lion […] Continue »

Saturday, February 8, from 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

 

Rick Steves holding a glass of red wine.

Wine Tasting with Rick Steves (Virtual)

Join renowned world traveler, Rick Steves for a flight of Italian wine! Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or just starting your wine journey, you won't want to miss this unforgettable evening of wine education. Rick and a sommelier will guide you through a handpicked selection of exceptional wines from Italy. Immerse yourself in the culture and flavors of each bottle as you sip, savor and laugh alongside Rick. Continue »

Tuesday, February 11, from 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

 

Close up of student hand writing on paper with pen.

Poetry Writing Workshop for Grades 6 – 12

Wednesday, February 12, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Find your writing inspiration with this FREE virtual poetry writing workshop led by Jessica Ram from the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University. Join fellow student poets from across central PA and enjoy an evening of guided prompts and writing support. This session […] Continue »

Wednesday, February 12, from 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

 

candy

‘Keystone Stories: Sweets’ FREE Screening Event

WPSU invites you to a free screening event featuring the WPSU original program Keystone Stories: Sweets. The stories behind Gardners Candies, Ritchey's Ice Cream and Inside Out Cookie are calorie-free, but their products will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. Continue »

Thursday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m.

 

poetry contest

2025 WPSU Poetry Writing Contest

Share your poetry with WPSU for our annual Poetry Writing Contest! We are excited to read poetry from students across Central PA in grades Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Selected poems from grade bands K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 9-12 will be published on WPSU’s website and the top winning entry from each grade band […] Continue »

Submit your entry by Friday, February 28

 

Actor John Lithgow

‘Art Happens Here’ FREE Screening Event

WPSU invites you to a FREE screening of Art Happens Here. Join actor John Lithgow as he goes back to school to demonstrate the transformative power of arts education. Immersing himself with teachers and students, he explores four arts disciplines: dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing and vocal jazz ensemble. Continue »

Thursday, April 10, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Woman wearing a ball cap kissing a small dog.

‘Shelter Me’ FREE Screening Event

WPSU invites you to a free screening event featuring the Emmy® Award-winning series, Shelter Me. Shelter Me tells inspiring stories about the bond between humans and animals and brings attention to important social issues via our relationship with them. Continue »

Tuesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Row of old stone houses on an English countryside.

Tour the UK with WPSU

Join WPSU – October 1-11, 2025 – as we travel to London, Cornwall, and more on our first group travel. We'll see the landscapes and homes featured in some our your favorite Masterpiece programs, including Poldark and Downton Abbey. Continue »

Wednesday, October 1 – Saturday, October 11

 

Film Screening for Classrooms

Posted on April 12, 2024

WPSU is offering a film screening of the documentary, “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life,” along with classroom resources to support your students in discussing difficult topics and creating solutions for peace. Continue »

 

WPSU Reads: The Bear

WPSU is continuing the WPSU Reads initiative with "The Bear" by Andrew Krivák. The goal of this initiative is to engage the community in deeper appreciation and understanding of human's relation within the natural world. WPSU is partnering with community organizations and leaders by providing free copies of the book, hosting writing workshops, engaging in discussions, and amplifying existing opportunities occurring throughout the region.Continue »

 

 

Event Highlights

poetry contest

2024 WPSU Poetry Writing Contest Winners

Posted on April 29, 2024

Thank you to every student who submitted their poem for the 2024 Poetry Writing Contest. Join us in celebrating the top three poems selected from each grade band, and hear the winners read their poems. Continue »

 

poetry contest

2023 Poetry Contest Winners

Posted on April 27, 2023

Join us in celebrating the top three poems selected from each grade band for the 2023 Poetry Writing Contest! Thank you to every student who submitted their poem for the 2023 Poetry Writing Contest. Continue »

 

Eventapalooza 2022

Posted on October 23, 2022

WPSU hosted its annual Eventapalooza family event on Saturday, October 15, 2022. More than 600 people came to the event to spend family time at the activity tables. Continue »

 

walk-around cookie monster at wpsu studios

WPSU Sesame Street 50 Years and Counting Event

Posted on September 21, 2019

WPSU Penn State welcomed more than 1,200 Sesame Street fans of all ages to the Outreach Building to celebrate Sesame Street 50 Years and Counting with walk-around Cookie Monster. Thank you to @Aetna Better Health. Continue »

 

PBS KIDS Day at DelGrosso’s Park

Posted on June 22, 2019

We could not have asked for a better day for our annual WPSU Kids’ Day at DelGrosso’s Park on Saturday, June 22, 2019! The weather was absolutely PERFECT, which was reflected in the 475 visitors who came out to participate in all of our activities. Continue »

 

Jet Propulsion character at Schlow Library

Jet Propulsion Vists Schlow Library

Posted on June 7, 2019

On Saturday, June 1, 2019, Jet Propulsion from Ready Jet Go! visited the Schlow Library for a day of fun family activities! Thank you to our Jet Propulsion character meet and greet business supporter The Rotary Club of State College. Continue »

 

conn dinner

2019 Conn Dinner Highlights

Posted on February 15, 2019

This year we had Diane Kochilas as our host chef for the 27th Annual Connoisseur’s Dinner at the Nittany Lion Inn! Thanks again to everyone who attended and for your support for public media. Continue »

 

cooking demo

2019 Cooking Demo

Posted on February 15, 2019

Thank you to everyone who attended the Cooking Demo hosted by Chef Diane Kochilas! We hope you enjoyed the experience and had a good time! Continue »

 

Guests gathered in the Outreach Building lobby.

Eventapalooza 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018

Did you solve the mystery? Did you find Cat? Thanks for joining us at Eventapalooza! We hope you had a lot of fun with the whole family! Click continue to view photos from the event. Continue »

 

Cat in the Hat posing with guests at the Altoona Curve

The Cat in the Hat at Altoona Curve

Posted on August 6, 2018

Hope you had great fun meeting the Cat in the Hat at Altoona Curve on August 4, 2018! Find photos from the event on flickr! To be notified of all WPSU events, character appearances, and news subscribe to WPSU Connect. Continue »

 

Nature Cat at the State Threatre

Nature Cat at the State Theatre

Posted on July 13, 2018

Thanks to everyone who visited Nature Cat during the PBS KIDS Summer of Adventure screening at the State Theatre! Join WPSU for more screenings end of July. Continue »

 

Daniel Tiger with guests at Atloona Curve game

Daniel Tiger at Altoona Curve

Posted on April 23, 2018

On Sunday, April 22, Daniel Tiger visited Altoona Curve to meet with the neighborhood! Visit our Flickr gallery to view photos from the event. Continue »

 

Mr. McFeely

Mister Rogers’ 50th Anniversary with Mr. McFeely

Posted on March 29, 2018

On Saturday, March 24 2018, WPSU partnered with the American Philatelic Society in Bellefonte to celebrate Mister Rogers’ 50th Anniversary with a stamp release dedication with Mr. McFeely! We had visitors come from out of state to celebrate with us. Continue »

 

Chef Nick Stellino

2018 Cooking Demo

Posted on February 12, 2018

Thank you to everyone who attended the Cooking Demo hosted by Chef Nick Stellino! We hope you enjoyed the experience and had a good time! Continue »

 

guests at dinner table holding wine glasses for a toast

2018 Cooking Class

Posted on February 12, 2018

We hope everyone enjoyed the Cooking Class with Chef Grace Pilato this year! Thank you for your kind support. Continue »

 

Super Why costumed character with guests at BJC

Super Why! at Bryce Jordan Center

Posted on January 29, 2018

Super Why! and WPSU visited Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, January 27, during the Penn State’s Men’s Basketball game. We had a lot of fun! Continue »

 

Splash and Bubbles costumes

Eventapalooza 2017 Highlights

Posted on October 24, 2017

More than 900 people visited WPSU studios for our annual open house event on October 22, 2017. Click here to view photos from the event. Continue »

 

Daniel Tiger at Rockhill Trolley Museum

Rockhill Trolley Museum Visit Highlights

Posted on August 1, 2017

WPSU and Daniel Tiger visited Rockhill Trolley Museum again this year! Daniel had lots of fun with everyone who visited! Visit our Flickr page to view photos from the event. Continue »

 

Guests pose for a picture with PBS Kids character Jet Propulsion

WPSU Kids’ Day at Delgrosso’s Park

Posted on June 19, 2017

WPSU and Ready Jet Go had some out-of-this-world fun on Saturday, June 16, 2017 for WPSU Kids’ Day at DelGrosso’s Park. Visit our Flickr page to view photos from the event. Continue »