Gather your peeps, as in family and friends, for PeepsFest, returning for its fourth year Dec. 30 and 31, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

The event, for which most activities are free, features two days of live music, arts and Peeps-related programming, culminating at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 31 with the dropping of a 4.5 - foot tall, 85 - pound, lit Peeps Chick and fireworks to welcome in the New Year.

"PeepsFest 2012 will be a magical extravaganza that will continue to make this relatively new event an annual holiday destination for the whole family," says Matt Pye, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Just Born Inc., which makes and distributes Peeps and other candy items.

"PeepsFest celebrates the fun and passion consumers have for the beloved Peeps brand, which is produced right here in Bethlehem," says Pye.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dec. 30 and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Dec. 31. Admission is free, although a few activities require an admission ticket.

One of the most popular attractions is the Peeps Diorama Competition, showcasing dozens of Peeps dioramas created by area schoolchildren. This year's contest includes public voting for the first time.

The dioramas will be on display Dec. 27 - 29 in ArtsQuest Center. The entry with the most votes will be crowned the Peep-les Choice Winner and be invited on stage to drop the Peeps Chick on New Year's Eve.

Peeps Diorama Competition winners will be announced 10:45 a.m. Dec. 30, with the winning entries on display Dec. 30 and 31.

PeepsFest includes the following free activities:

New Year's Eve Party with music by kid-friendly rock band Starfish, 4 p.m. Dec. 31, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks;

Large, kid-friendly cardboard gingerbread houses for decorating;

Interactive children's theater with Middle Earth Studios;

Family musicians and children's performers all day;

Peeps-themed arts and crafts, video game competitions and a scavenger hunt;

Photo opportunities with the Peeps Chick;

Peepmobile filled with candy for a guess-how-many contest; and

Family Disco Lounge with music by and dancing to Erin Lee & the Up Past Bedtime.

PeepsFest includes the following ticketed activities:

Band, Dec. 30; Lisa & Wendy, Dec. 31; family-friendly DJ, bounce house and more;

PeepsFest 5K run;

PeepsFest Kids Fun Run, and Mascot Dash, featuring popular area mascots, noon Dec. 31;

Peeps'mores for sale to roast on outdoor fire pits; and

Peeps & Company store items for sale.

Information: artsquest. org/peepsfest, 610-332-3378.