Bacon Fest turns 15 this weekend

The best of the Lehigh Valley, every Thursday · Issue #12 · November 5, 2026

Happy Thursday, Lehigh Valley!

Easton smells like bacon this weekend. PA Bacon Fest turns 15, it is free, and it fills Centre Square both days.

The rain clears out by Saturday, so there is a sunny plan for every corner of the Valley, from a zoo scavenger hunt to a Gilmore Girls day in Nazareth.

Weather: rain today, high of 71, and more rain tonight. Friday starts foggy with a 30% chance of light rain, then turns partly sunny and 70. Saturday is mostly sunny and 62, with a slight chance of a morning shower. Sunday is mostly sunny and 60, then down to 37 at night.

- Joe Roller

PA Bacon Fest takes over Centre Square and downtown Easton Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 5. Admission is free, it runs rain or shine, and the forecast is mostly sunny both days.

There are more than 125 vendors and 30-plus bands on five stages. Here is how to do Saturday.

10am: get there early. The best parking is the shuttle. Shuttles run 9:30 to 7 from Braden Airpark (3521 Sullivan Trail) and the William Penn Park and Ride, $20 a car, cash only. They drop you at Northampton and Fifth Streets, two blocks from the fest. Fold the stroller before you board.

10am: breakfast with DJ Chef. DJ Chef spins at the Farmers' Market Stage (N. 2nd and Northampton) from 10 to noon. Grab your first bacon on the walk over.

11am: School of Rock. Local kid bands play the Spring Garden Stage (N. 3rd and Spring Garden) from 11 to 5. Little ones love watching kids their age rock out.

Noon: the Pet Costume Contest. It is at the Farmers' Market Stage, and it comes back Sunday at noon too.

12:45pm: DJ Chef's cooking demo. Saturday only.

2pm: Bacon Bingo. Yes, bingo, with bacon. It runs both days.

4pm: Swine Holding. The Swine Holding Competition closes out both days. Sunday's music includes the Keystone Breakers at 1 on the IBEW 102 Stage (S. 3rd and Ferry).

Good to know: diaper changing stations are at the Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St. The Sigal Museum has a quiet space for nursing or a break. The downtown garages (4th St. and the Intermodal on S. 3rd) are $20, card only. The Larry Holmes Plaza lot is $30, cash only. The Courthouse shuttle lot is $20 by the PARKSMARTER app plus a $10 cash shuttle wristband.

Heads up: there is no Easton Farmers' Market Saturday, and the Easton library is closed Saturday for the fest.

What it costs: $0 to get in. Budget $20 to $30 to park (bring cash for the shuttles and the Larry Holmes lot), plus whatever bacon you can eat.

Click here: To see the full Bacon Fest schedule!

Pick your corner. One easy plan for each part of the Valley this weekend.

If Friday's rain hangs around: the Da Vinci Science Center is open 10 to 5 ($24, plus $10 for Finding Titanic on weekdays). The indoor Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market is open Friday 8 to 7 and free to browse. Crayola Experience Easton is open 10 to 5 (save $3 online). And The Art of the Dollhouse at the Kemerer Museum in Bethlehem is open Friday 11 to 5, $14 for adults and $7 for kids.

WEST: Emmaus and the Macungies

Saturday at 9, roll through the free drive-thru flu shot clinic at Dorney Park (9 to 3). Print a consent form for each person first. You can drop off food or diapers for the food drive, but you do not have to.

Then stay for Tricks and Treats at Dorney Park, the last Halloween fun of the year, 11 to 5. It is not scary and it is built for kids. Tickets start at $39 online, and the Family Pack is $35 a person for four or more if everyone gets in before 2.

Cost: from $140 for four, plus fees and tax.

CENTRAL: Bath and Nazareth

Saturday, 11 to 5, downtown Nazareth turns into Stars Hollow for a Gilmore Girls day. Pick up a passport at any shop on the stroll, get it stamped, and turn it in for a chance at a Gilmore Girls prize.

Food trucks and music by Perpetual Friday start at noon at the Moravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St. No fee is posted to stroll.

Sunday, the second free drive-thru flu shot clinic is at LVH Hecktown Oaks, 9 to 3.

NORTH: Slatington, North Whitehall, and Schnecksville

Sunday, 10 to 2, is Go Wild with St. Luke's Children's Hospital at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. There is a scavenger hunt, crafts, giveaways, and the zoo's inclusive playground. It is included with admission.

Good news: winter prices started this week, so it is $11 a person ages 2 and up, and under 2 is free. The zoo is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 to 3. Mill Creek Road is closed near the zoo through about November 13, so follow the detour signs.

Cost: $44 for four.

SOUTH: Hellertown, Coopersburg, and Saucon

Saturday at noon, Lehigh hosts Colgate for Community Heroes Day at Goodman Stadium. It is Lehigh's last home game of the year. Tickets are at LehighTickets.com.

Then head to the South Side for two free shows at the Williams Brew Stage at SteelStacks: Ten Tiny Dances at 5, with dancers on a 4-by-4 foot stage, and Clare Byrne and The Celestials at 7, Vermont folk, blues, and gospel with dancers.

Cost: $0 after the game.

ALLENTOWN

Spend Saturday at the Da Vinci Science Center, 815 W. Hamilton St. Its new Finding Titanic exhibit lets kids pilot a mini robot sub and tap out Morse code.

Weekends from November 7 to 29, Finding Titanic is included with regular admission, $24, and 2 and under are free. Open 10 to 5.

Then grab lunch at the indoor Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, 1825 Chew St., open Saturday 8 to 6.

Cost: $96 for four.

EASTON and the Slate Belt

Bacon Fest is the big one (see above). For the kids, plan on School of Rock, the noon pet contest, and Bacon Bingo at 2.

Crayola Experience is right on Centre Square, open Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday 10 to 5. Two heads ups: everyone has to come in the main entrance on Centre Square, and the elevator is out through Sunday, so it is stairs to all four floors. Buy online to save $3.

Cost: $0 for the fest, plus parking.

Bethlehem's Liberty High School Grenadier Band turned 100 this fall, and it threw itself a party.

At halftime of the Liberty-Freedom game Saturday, October 31, about 270 alumni joined the band's 200 current students on the field. The oldest alum to sign up was from the Class of 1959. The bagpipe corps tripled, with 26 alumni pipers joining the 12 students.

The band started in 1926 and took on its British "Grenadier" look in 1966. It has marched in Harry Truman's 1949 inaugural parade, two Rose Parades, and three Macy's Thanksgiving parades. In 1986 it became the first American high school band to play London's Royal Albert Hall. This June, it led a parade past Buckingham Palace.

It has had only five directors in 100 years. "I hope I'm doing them proud, because they've done the program proud," said director Allen Frank. Supporters have sold more than a million hoagies to pay the band's way.

Click here: To read the story!

Vote for Hotel Bethlehem. It is up for USA Today 10Best's Best Hotel for the Holidays. The staff spends more than 1,000 hours decorating for Christmas. You can vote once a day through November 30. Read how to vote.

One-liners: Fogelsville Elementary won the regional First in Math title by solving 182,165 problems. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals celebrated its new Upper Macungie site, 160,000 square feet and 45 jobs, shipping to more than 320 places in 43 states. Tenor Zachary Fisher won the Bach Vocal Competition in Bethlehem, with a $3,000 grant and a future solo with the Bach Choir. And Cedar Crest's women's wrestling team grew from 6 to 20 wrestlers and just opened a new wrestling room.

Three homes, three budgets, three corners of the Valley. Live at send time.

Easton holds its Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday, November 11 at 10:30am in Upper Hackett Park, with the Brown-Lynch American Legion Honor Guard. In Bethlehem, the National Museum of Industrial History unveils a new addition to its Steelworkers Veterans Memorial at 10am, 602 E. Second St.

Bacon Fest crowds in Easton. Expect busy streets downtown Saturday and Sunday. The Easton Area Public Library is closed Saturday and open as usual on Veterans Day.

Marching bands in Allentown. The city lists the Marching Band Championships Saturday and Sunday in the Cedar Creek Parkway area, starting Saturday at 8am.

Allentown leaf pickup: Districts 4 to 8 this week, then Districts 10, 11, and 12 next Monday to Wednesday. The schedule.

Bethlehem leaf pickup: Districts 10 to 13 today, District 14 Friday, and Districts 15 to 21 next Monday to Wednesday. Rain pushes it back a day. The schedule.

Route 33 South near Tatamy is down to one lane between Route 191 and Main Street through about November 9. The southbound on-ramp from 191 and the off-ramp to Main Street in Tatamy are closed.

Mill Creek Road in Lowhill Township is closed around the clock for bridge work through about November 13. The detour uses Route 309, Route 100, and Kistler Road. That is the zoo's back road, too.

Route 378 in Bethlehem, from Route 22 to the Hill-to-Hill Bridge, has lane closures Sunday to Thursday nights, 7pm to 6am, through November.

Click here: To see this week's Lehigh County roadwork! · Northampton County roadwork

The Iron Mule Restaurant and Bar reopens today, Thursday, November 5, at 831 S. Delaware Dr. in Williams Township. It has been closed since a fire in May.

It sits in an 18th-century building along the Delaware Canal. The menu has house chili, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, spiral spuds, and "The Mule" loaded burger, plus a full bar. "Same Iron Mule you know and love, with a fresh new look," the restaurant posted.

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 4 to 10, Friday and Saturday 11 to 10, and Sunday 10 to 9 with brunch until 2. Thursday is karaoke night.

Click here: To read about it!

Also new: Brothers Tacos is open at 565 E. Station Ave. in Coopersburg, and the birria tacos are the big seller. Zen Cafe is open at 3 W. Morton St. on the South Side, with sandos and sourdough cookies, 7 to 6 weekdays and 8 to 6 weekends. And Crumbs Cake Studio soft-opens today in a bigger spot at 817 Linden St., Bethlehem.

Coming: Samantha on Main, a resale boutique at 123 Main St. in Macungie, opens Saturday, November 14. Frosted Bakery opens at 518 Long St., Bethlehem, the same day at 8am. Taco Tek gives away free bowls at its grand opening Thursday, November 19, 3211 Schoenersville Rd. And Joey Embo's pizzeria hopes to open mid-November at 1133 Northampton St., Easton.

Closing: after 27 years, Ginder Greenhouse and Garden Center in Upper Mount Bethel ends retail at the end of the year so the owners can retire. Congrats to them.

One way to help the Valley each week.

Holiday Hope Chests from the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley are back. You fill a shoebox with gifts for a local kid, and kids love helping shop and pack it.

It works a little differently this year. You pick a local nonprofit or school on the site and fill out its pledge form. You get gift tags and a drop-off time by email, then you drop the box off there yourself. Wrapped shoeboxes are for ages 2 to 12. For teens 13 and up, gift cards go in a sealed envelope.

As of Wednesday, 27 local groups asked for 4,610 chests, and 3,495 still need a donor.

Click here: To pick a kid's chest!

Also this month: the Allentown Rescue Mission drive-thru is Saturday, November 14, 10 to 2, at both Josh Early Candies stores, for canned goods and cleaning supplies. And the New Bethany Turkey Drive is Friday, November 20, 7 to 3, curbside at Jefferson Park in Allentown: bring a frozen 10 to 12 pound turkey.

Is your nonprofit doing something? | anywhere in the Valley
Fundraiser, walk, drive, gala: hit reply and we'll list it here, free.

FREE means free. Prices are listed where the organizer posts them. Double-check times before heading out!

MARKETS

Bethlehem Farmers Market FREE | Thu 10am to 2pm, Farrington Square, South Bethlehem
The second-to-last market of the season. It wraps up November 12.

No Easton Farmers' Market Saturday | Sat, Scott Park, Easton
It takes the week off for Bacon Fest and comes back November 14, 9 to 1.

LIVE & FREE MUSIC

Jazz Jam with the Artisan Trio FREE | Thu 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
Bring your instrument. Anyone can sit in.

Zaire FREE | Fri 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
A free Friday night set on the South Side.

UnBound Fall Story Cabaret | Thu 7pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
True stories told live. Pay what you will.

Chicago | Thu 8pm, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
The horns, the hits. $70.50 to $130.50, plus fees.

Air Supply | Fri 7:30pm, State Theatre, Easton
The A Matter of Time tour, celebrating 50 years. $90 to $140, fees included.

The Lady Gaga Experience | Fri 7:30pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
A Gaga tribute with the Haus of Monsters. $27 to $53, plus a $10 food and drink minimum for reserved seats.

The Tull Project | Fri 8pm, Emmaus Theatre
A Jethro Tull tribute, flute and all. $25 or $35.

Frank Viele | Fri 8pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
With guest Arielle Silver. $25.59 in advance, $30.78 at the door.

Goodnight Moonshine | Sun 4pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
Molly Venter of Red Molly and friends. $26.63 in advance, $31.82 at the door.

ARTS & CULTURE

Public Art Dedication FREE | Sat 2pm, Creative Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem
New public art and five of the artists behind it. Panel seats are limited.

Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour | Sat 1pm, Bethlehem Visitor Center, 711 E. First St.
A guided walk of the old steel site. $20 for adults and $12 for ages 7 to 17.

Bethlehem Steel Flashlight Tour | Fri evening, National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem
Bring your own flashlight. $15.

Saint-Saens Organ Symphony | Sat 7:30pm and Sun 2pm, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown
The Allentown Symphony with organist Paul Jacobs. $30 to $88.

The House That Will Not Stand | Fri and Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem
A Lehigh Theatre production. $18.

Lehigh Jazz Repertory Orchestra | Sat 8pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem
Big band jazz from Lehigh's own. $15.

Andy Grammer: Greater Than Pt. II | Sun 6pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem
The "Honey, I'm Good" singer up close. $65 and $75.

FAMILY & OUTDOORS

Toddler Storytime FREE | Thu 10am, Creative Factory, Bethlehem
Half an hour of picture books and art for toddlers.

Halloween Haunt at Dorney Park | Fri 6 to 11pm and Sat 6 to 11pm, Dorney Park, Allentown
One more weekend of haunted mazes, for teens and grown-ups, not kids under 13. Bundles start at $60 online.

FOOD & DRINK

Bountiful Bowl for Meals on Wheels | Sat 4 to 6pm and 6 to 9pm, B Social, Bethlehem
Bowl for a good cause. The 4 to 6 session is for all ages ($25), and the 6 to 9 party is 21 and up ($75).

COMEDY

Peyton Ruddy | Thu 7:30pm, Emmaus Theatre
Stand-up to start the weekend. $20 or $30.

Steve Martin and Martin Short | Fri 8pm, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
Two legends, one stage. $79.50 to $199.50, plus fees.

Dulce Sloan | Sat 8pm, Emmaus Theatre
Stand-up on Saturday night. $25 or $40.

Adam Ray: Who Is Me Tour | Sat 8pm, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
$45 to $65, plus fees.

Who The Hell Are These Guys? | Sat 8pm, State Theatre, Easton
The comedy show moved from September. $44.23 to $59.98, ages 16 and up.

Samantha Bee: How to Survive Menopause | Sun 7pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
$71 to $81, ages 13 and up.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Hollywood Nights: Bob Seger Experience | Sat 8pm, Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe
A Seger tribute up the mountain. $27 in advance, $32 at the door.

Shankweiler's Drive-In | Fri to Sun, 7pm, Orefield
Godzilla Minus Zero at 7, then Clayface at 9:30. Both are rated R. Rain or shine.

Christkindlmarkt opens Friday, November 13 at SteelStacks and runs weekends through December 20. Tickets are $14 Thursday and Friday and $16.50 Saturday and Sunday, 5 and under are free, and Fridays 5 to 8 are free for everyone.

Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo also opens Friday, November 13 and runs through January 2. It is $16 for adults and $14 for kids if you buy ahead, and $13 for everyone on opening night.

Illumination at Jefferson Park lights up the IronPigs' ballpark on select nights from November 13 to January 2. Tickets are $13 plus a $2 fee online, and 2 and under are free.

Trees of Historic Bethlehem opens November 13 and runs through January 4: a self-guided walk past 20-plus decorated trees. It is $25 for adults and $14 for kids.

Holiday Cocktail Trails are Saturday, November 14 and 21, noon to 5, in downtown Bethlehem, $45, 21 and up. The Red Trail on the 14th is sold out, so grab the Green Trail or a later date.

Christmas City Village opens Friday, November 20 in the Sun Inn Courtyard, Friday to Sunday 11 to 7, through December 20. It is free.

Breakfast with St. Nick is at 9am on November 28 and December 5, 12, 13, and 19. It is $31 and includes Christkindlmarkt entry, plus a photo and gift bag for the kids.

Home Alone Quote-Along is Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 at Banko Cinemas, $13.50, with a recorded intro from Devin Ratray (Buzz).

A Christmas Carol is Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 at the State Theatre, $38.98 to $70.

Know someone who is always asking "what's going on this weekend?" Send them the Loop. When one friend signs up through your link, you get The Lehigh Valley Fall Guide: every fall event left in the Valley, in one place.

That's the Loop. Know about something happening in the Valley? Hit reply, we read everything. See you next Thursday.