State College’s 2024 entertainment calendar (so far): Country artists, comedians and more
More than a dozen entertainment acts are scheduled to bring their tours to State College so far this year, with one concert planned to take place at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
Typically the Bryce Jordan Center serves as the venue for most big acts who come to Happy Valley, but Beaver Stadium will be a concert venue this year for the second time in history. Country music star Luke Combs will bring his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” to the stadium in April.
Pat Kraft, Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, said in an August press release that Penn State is “thrilled” with this opportunity.
“Not only is this a tremendous way to showcase our stadium but will also provide an economic impact for our community and local businesses. We know the combination of this unique opportunity and it being Luke’s only concert in the state of Pennsylvania in 2024 that his fans will show up and make this one of the biggest concerts in the country,” Kraft said in the release.
Below is a list of other music, comedy and other entertainment acts you can see in State College in 2024. This list may be updated when more acts are announced. More information can be found at bjc.psu.edu/upcoming-events.
February
Local bands will take the stage at The State Theatre at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 for the 12th annual “Rock the ‘80s Concert” benefiting the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund. Tickets start at $40; a package including the “Totally Rad Reception” pre-party is $60.
Comedic basketball team Harlem Globetrotters will again bring their world tour to the BJC at 7 p.m. Feb. 27. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$75, according to the BJC’s website.
Grammy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three will perform at Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Adult tickets are $44 and student tickets are $5, according to the Center for the Performing Arts’ website.
March
Dropkick Murphys, an American Celtic punk band, will be at the Bryce Jordan Center at 7 p.m. March 8. Tickets range from $34.50-$69.50, according to the BJC’s website. The Dropkick Murphys’ 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Tour will begin in mid-February, and the band is known for their loud and energetic shows. One of their best known songs is their 2005 hit “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”
State College will be among the Winter Jam’s 39-stop 2024 tour at 7 p.m. March 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. No tickets are needed; admission is $15 at the door. “Christian music’s biggest tour” will have performances by Crowder, Lecrae, CAIN, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber, Newsong, including Speaker Zane Black, according to the BJC’s website.
Country music superstar and singer/songwriter Zach Bryan is bringing his “The Quittin Time Tour” to the Bryce Jordan Center at 7 p.m. March 12. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets that are available through Ticketmaster are $200+. Discounted student tickets are sold out, according to the BJC’s website. Bryan is known for hits such as “Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves.
Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience will stop at The State Theatre at 8 p.m. March 16. Advanced tickets start at $48.
Folk music artist Rhiannon Giddens will perform at Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. March 19. Adult tickets are $59 and student tickets are $5.
Dover Quartet and Haochen Zhang will perform at Penn State’s Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. March 21. Adult tickets start at $34.
Ventriloquist-comedian Jeff Dunham’s “Still Not Canceled” tour will be in State College at 7 p.m. March 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $56; discounted student tickets are available.
Toronto rapper Drake will perform in State College as part of his “It’s All a Blur Tour — Big As the What?” tour at 8 p.m. March 31 (rescheduled from March 18). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $89.50-$399.50, according to the BJC’s website. Discounted student tickets are sold out. Drake, a five-time Grammy winner, recently released his eighth studio album “For All the Dogs,” featuring “Slime You Out” and “First Person Shooter” which both hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
April
The first BJC event scheduled for April is the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party on April 6-7 where fans can watch their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks in the dark. Kids tickets start at $10 and adult tickets start at $30.
Jazz artist Terence Blanchard will bring his “Absence” concert to Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. April 10. Adult tickets are $48; student tickets are $5.
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn will perform at The State Theatre at 8 p.m. April 12. Advanced tickets are $57.
Come on down to the BJC for The Price is Right Live at 7 p.m. April 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and student tickets are available for $30. Ticket holders can register as a contestant online or in person the day of the show, beginning two hours before the scheduled show time. Contestants and instant winners are randomly selected. Names will be announced throughout the show.
The Bryce Jordan Center was selected to host the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for wresting on April 19-20. Penn State is serving as the local organizing committee. Tickets are available online, am.ticketmaster.com/pennstate/ism/MjAyNFVTT1c=.
Seoul-based Coreyah will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. April 24 at Alumni Hall. Registration is required.
Two-time reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs will bring his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” to Beaver Stadium at 5:45 p.m. April 27. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and begin at $59. Joining Combs for the Beaver Stadium concert will be Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Parker and Colby Acuff. Fans of Combs will recognize hits such as “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “She Got the Best of Me,” “Going, Going, Gone,” and his version of Tracy Chapman’s Grammy-winning song, “Fast Car.”
October
Jelly Roll will bring his “Beautifully Broken Tour” to the Bryce Jordan Center on Oct. 1, the BJC announced on Feb. 22. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. March 1.
