On New Year's Eve, you don't have to wait until midnight to ring in 2026. Just head to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church's festivities, and celebrate at 7 p.m.

Welcome 2026 will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 75 E. High St., Elizabethtown. The celebration will kick off with a chicken barbecue, available for dine-in or to go. Meals will include a half chicken, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll with butter and water. There is a charge for the barbecue meal.

Susquehanna Service Dogs will be on-site from 4 to 6 p.m. in the church parlor.

"People can meet them and learn about what they do," said pastor A.J. Domines. "They'll have some ambassador animals here."

From 4 to 6:30 p.m., a variety of activities for people of all ages will take place. Free hot dogs, soup and water will be served in the church social room. Bingo will be held in the Lutheran Lodge on-site. Free popcorn and hot chocolate will be available in a trailer outside the church, along with free s'mores in the church parking lot.

Just down the street, Winters Heritage House Museum will host children's crafts and balloon twisting at 47 E. High St. from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Local musician Corty Byron will perform from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. in the newly renovated church sanctuary. A freewill offering will be received during his performance.

The festivities will conclude with a star raising and fireworks at 7 p.m. on the church lawn.

"It's a really great fireworks show," said Cammy Anderson, who is on the event committee. "It's spectacular."

The timing of the event is intentional, shared volunteer Phil Clark. "That's when it's midnight in Letterkenny, Ireland - 7 p.m.," Clark said, noting that Letterkenny had been the sister city of Elizabethtown for many years before the partnership lapsed. Work is in progress to restore the relationship and rekindle the connection between the two towns.

"We also have a lot of Masonic Village residents and other older folks who come out, and they can have an early dinner and enjoy the evening and not be out until midnight," Domines shared.

The timing is also good for families with young children who don't want a late night out.

This is the 12th year Christ Lutheran Church has hosted the New Year's Eve event, and Clark noted it takes a village to pull off a successful celebration.

"We couldn't do this without the police, EMS and the fire department helping, as well as our volunteers and sponsors," he said.

Hosting the event is important to the church, Anderson noted.

"It's a huge community outreach for us," she said. "We want everyone to come and have fun together."

Clark emphasized all are invited to attend Welcome 2026.

"Even though the church hosts it, it's really a community event," he said. "This is for everyone."

Tickets for the chicken barbecue are on sale now at the church office, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Tickets will also be sold after Saturday and Sunday services, as well as at the door. Preorders are encouraged but not required.

For more information, call the church office at 717-367-2786 or visit www.christlutheran-etown.com.