Parade Sunday, owls, and mummies

The best of the Lehigh Valley, every Thursday · Issue #8 · October 22, 2026

Happy Thursday, Lehigh Valley!

It is Halloween parade weekend. Bethlehem throws its 105th parade Sunday at 2, Easton's parade crosses the Free Bridge at 3, and every corner of the Valley has something for the kids in between.

It stays sunny all four days, but the nights get cold, so pack layers.

Weather: sunny and 66 today. Friday is sunny and 60, then it drops to about 31 overnight, with frost. Saturday is sunny and 62, with a low near 33. Sunday is sunny and 65. No rain in the forecast.

- Joe Roller

Bethlehem has thrown a Halloween parade for 105 years, and it is still free. This Sunday you can catch it, then drive 15 minutes and catch Easton's too.

1:15pm: grab your spot. The City of Bethlehem Halloween Parade starts at West Broad Street and 9th Avenue. It heads east on Broad, turns south on Main, and ends at Main and Spring Streets, about 1.5 miles in all. Bring chairs and claim a curb early.

2pm: the parade steps off. Bands, floats, and a lot of costumes. The full lineup goes up on the city's page Friday. The rain date is Sunday, November 1, but the forecast says sunny and 65.

3pm: Easton's turn. Want a second parade? Watch the start in Bethlehem, then drive about 15 minutes east. The Phillipsburg-Easton Halloween Parade leaves Phillipsburg at 3, crosses the Free Bridge, and rolls down Northampton Street to Centre Square by 4. It is free too. Set up your chairs along Northampton Street or in the square.

4pm: watch it again from the couch. ATVN airs Bethlehem's parade Sunday at 4 on Channel 4 or 1004 HD, with a replay Monday at 7pm. Kids love spotting themselves.

What it costs: $0 for the whole family. The city has not posted parking or street closure details yet, so check its page Friday when the lineup goes up.

Click here: To see the Bethlehem parade route!

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

Bundle up: It will not rain, but Friday and Saturday nights drop into the low 30s, with frost by morning. Anything after dark this weekend needs hats and gloves.

WEST: Emmaus and Macungie

Saturday at noon, the Knauss Homestead Harvest Festival opens at 152 E. Main St. (rear) in Emmaus. It is free, but you need a free ticket online. About 50 artisans set up around the 1777 farmhouse, with house and barn tours all day.

Pumpkin painting and horse-drawn carriage rides start at 1, and raffle winners are drawn at 3:30. Vendors and food close at 4. Park free in the Cintas lot or take the free shuttle from Seven Generations Charter School. Knauss Lane is closed, so do not drive in that way.

Cost: $0, plus food.

CENTRAL: Bath and Nazareth

Saturday at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, the All About Autumn Hike runs 2:30 to 4:30. Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars, water, and a snack. It can get muddy and steep.

Come back at 7 for Who Gives a Hoot?, a short, easy owl walk for ages 8 and up. Bring a flashlight and dress warm, because it will be in the 40s and falling. Both need registration on the park's page, and the park has not posted a price.

NORTH: Slatington, North Whitehall, and Schnecksville

Boo at the Zoo is back at the Lehigh Valley Zoo Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 3, with trick-or-treat stations open until 3:30. The costume contest is Saturday at 12:30 on the Service Electric Sundeck. Sign up that day, and only 25 kids get in, so go early.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for kids 2 to 11. Under 2 is free.

Cost: $64 for two adults and two kids.

SOUTH: Hellertown and Coopersburg, plus Bethlehem's South Side

We could not find a family event in Hellertown, Coopersburg, or Saucon this weekend, so head 15 minutes up to the South Side. Skate or Treat at Steel Ice Center is Saturday, 1:30 to 3. Skating is $15 for adults and $10 for kids 10 and under, and kids 10 and under in costume get free skate rentals.

Cost: about $60 for two adults and two kids, with $5 rentals for the grown-ups.

ALLENTOWN

Sunday, the Art Fair for All fills the Allentown Art Museum, 11 to 3. It is free, with 29 artists, DJ Brad Scott all day, live music from Maniya noon to 3, and art-making for every age. Visit every booth to enter the raffle for a $100 Blick gift card. Parking is free.

Then catch the final show of Matilda at Civic's 19th Street Theatre at 3. Tickets are $35 for adults and $13 for kids 13 and under, plus a $4 fee each. Buy ahead: tickets cost $5 more on the day of the show.

Cost: about $112 for two adults and two kids.

EASTON

Saturday, start at the Easton Farmers' Market in Scott Park, 9 to 1, with more than 50 vendors. Come back to the same park at 3 for Day 2 of the Witches Walk, 3 to 8. It is free, with potion treats, magic games, face painting, and a costume contest. Dress as a witch or a wizard. Day 1 is Friday, 4 to 9, in Centre Square.

Sunday, the free Trunk or Treat at The Neighborhood Center, 902 Philadelphia Rd., runs 1 to 3. Then head over to Northampton Street for the 3pm parade.

Cost: $0, plus whatever you buy at the market.

Fogelsville Elementary in the Parkland School District just beat every school in Lehigh and Carbon counties in the 2026 Love Math Challenge.

Its students solved 182,165 problems. That is more than a quarter of all 660,375 problems solved across the two counties.

Bob Sun, the Easton man who invented the 24 Game, handed the school its champion banner on October 13.

"We are immensely proud of every single student who participated, embraced the challenge, and showed that learning math can be both rigorous and fun," said Principal Lisa Lesko.

Click here: To read the story!

Oktoberfest set a record. About 52,500 people came to ArtsQuest's Oktoberfest over two weekends, including the biggest Saturday in its history. There were 116 wiener dogs in 8 races and 1,162 runners in the 5K. The story.

One-liners: ArtsQuest picked 31 local artists for the first studios at its new Creative Factory, 25 W. Third St. in South Bethlehem, opening at the end of 2026 or the start of 2027. And Whitehall High grad Justin Klement painted the Eagles' new Wing Wall mural at the Linc in two days, including fellow Whitehall grad Saquon Barkley.

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

Last week we listed 12 towns. Here are three more, straight from each town's page:

South Whitehall is still waiting on a final vote for Friday, October 30, 6 to 8. Next Thursday we will run the full town-by-town list for Halloween weekend. Your town missing? Hit reply.

Watch five parades in one day. ATVN's parade marathon is Friday, October 30, 9am to 3pm, on Channel 4 or 1004 HD: Northampton, Bath, Catasauqua, Whitehall, and Bethlehem.

New signals on MacArthur Road. Route 145 in Whitehall has lane restrictions between Center Street and Chestnut Street, 9am to 3pm, through October 30.

Route 33 bridge inspections in Plainfield Township are Thursday: northbound 8 to 11:30am, southbound noon to 3.

Still going: the Route 22 East ramps at Route 191 close every night, 9pm to 5am, through Tuesday, October 27. Route 33 southbound stays at one lane near Stockertown and Tatamy until about November 9. Route 378 in Bethlehem has lane restrictions Sunday to Thursday nights, 7pm to 6am, through November.

Leaf pickup in Lower Macungie started this week and runs through the week of November 30, moving east to west. November 30 is the last day to put leaves out. The schedule.

Win $100 for reporting problems to 311. Allentown's 311 contest gives a $100 Visa gift card to the city resident (18 and up) with the most valid 311 reports in October. Anonymous reports do not count.

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

The Restored Farmhouse is a new self-serve shop in a shed at 3553 Spruce Dr. in Lehigh Township. Right now it has pumpkins, plus antiques and farmhouse finds.

Nobody runs the register. You pay by Venmo or put cash in the lockbox. It is open 9 to 7 Monday to Saturday and 11 to 5 Sunday.

Click here: To read about it!

Crow's Nest Creamery is fully open at the old TG Countryside, 5130 Chestnut St. in Upper Milford, 6am to 9pm Tuesday to Sunday, breakfast included. And Onward Coffee is open in its first brick-and-mortar shop at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton, with a pumpkin cheesecake latte on the menu.

Coming: State Cafe and Grill in Easton plans to reopen by the end of the month, 8 to 2, Thursday to Monday. Love's Restaurant and Lounge on Union Blvd. in Allentown is aiming for Friday, but the date is not final. Brothers Tacos hopes to open in Coopersburg the week of October 25, and Birriaholic returns inside Lost Tavern on Main Street in Bethlehem in late October or early November.

One way to help the Valley each week.

Saturday, October 24 is national Make A Difference Day, and this one is easy for kids to help with. The Lehigh Valley Humane Society needs old towels, comforters, and blankets, plus peanut butter, canned pumpkin, spray cheese, KONGs, and tug toys.

Drop them in the donation bin in the main lot at 640 Dixon St., Allentown, while the shelter is open: noon to 4 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 2 to 7 Tuesday and Thursday. Scan the QR code on the bin for a tax receipt.

Then on Sunday, 11 to 2, bring the dog to Howloween Pups on the Patio at Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. There are adoptable pups, a pet costume contest with prizes, and raffles, and the brunch specials help the shelter.

Click here: To see the wish list!

Light The Night is at 37% of its $485,000 goal. The lantern walk is Saturday at Grange Park: the fun starts at 5:30, and the one-mile walk steps off around 7. Signing up is free. Dress warm, because it will be in the 30s by the end.

Give blood, get Crayola. Donate at a Miller-Keystone donor center and get a free Crayola Experience ticket, a $29.99 value, while supplies last.

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!

FAIR & FESTIVAL

Whitehall Halloween Parade FREE | Thu 6pm sharp, Whitehall-Coplay School District campus
Tonight. Can't make it? ATVN airs it at 10pm.

Catasauqua Trunk or Treat FREE | Sat 6 to 8pm, Catasauqua Park lot, 501 American St.
Decorated cars and candy for the kids.

MARKETS

Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market FREE | Thu 9 to 7, Fri 8 to 7, Sat 8 to 6, Allentown
More than 50 merchants in its 66th year, all indoors.

Bethlehem Farmers Market FREE | Thu 10am to 2pm, Farrington Square, South Bethlehem
Live music every Thursday. The season runs through November 12.

LIVE & FREE MUSIC

Open Mic Night FREE | Thu 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
Acoustic only. Sign-ups start at 6:30.

Rock Steady FREE | Fri 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
A free Friday night show at the Brew Stage.

Adeline Csontos FREE | Sat 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
Free Saturday night music on the South Side.

Vynecrest Winery | Sat + Sun 1 to 4pm, Breinigsville
Sharon Pires plays Saturday and Karl Eisenhart Sunday, with food trucks.

ARTS & CULTURE

Cinderella | Fri 7pm, State Theatre, Easton
United European Ballet. $60.50 to $100.50, less for seniors and kids, and buy two, get one free. Ages 5 and up.

The Bronx Wanderers | Thu 7:30pm, State Theatre, Easton
$49.48 to $55.78.

Dirty Deeds: The AC/DC Experience | Fri 7:30pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
$38.45 to $59, plus a $10 food and drink minimum for reserved seats.

Here Come the Mummies | Sun 7:30pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
A funk band that plays wrapped head to toe like mummies. $34.25 to $64, plus a $10 food and drink minimum.

Dafnis Prieto Si o Si Quartet | Thu 7:30pm, Williams Center, Easton
Grammy-winning Latin jazz. $33, and $6 for 17 and under.

Lehigh Choral Arts: The Human Connection | Fri + Sat 8pm, Zoellner, Bethlehem
$18.

Godfrey Daniels folk weekend | Fri to Sun, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
Jenna Nicholls and Chris Kasper Friday at 8, Anne Hills Saturday at 8, and Amy Speace Sunday at 7. $27.67 to $30.78 in advance, more at the door.

The Met Live in HD: Verdi's Macbeth | Sun 12:55pm, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown
Opera on the big screen. $25, $18 seniors, $13 students and kids.

Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Tour | daily 1pm, SteelStacks, Bethlehem
A guided tour of the old steel plant. $20, $12 for ages 7 to 17.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Fri 11:30pm, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, SteelStacks
The midnight movie, right on time for Halloween. $13.50.

FAMILY & OUTDOORS

Witches and Wizards Weekends | Sat + Sun 10 to 5, Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown
Spooky science shows at 11, 1, and 3:30, and the Parade of Witches Saturday at 1:30. All included with admission.

Tricks and Treats at Dorney Park | Sat + Sun, Allentown
A no-scare trick-or-treat trail. Family Pack tickets start at $35 each online for four or more, and everyone has to get in before 2.

Toddler Storytime FREE | Thu 10am, Bethlehem Visitor Center, SteelStacks
Half an hour of stories for toddlers.

ArtVentures | Sat + Sun 11:30 to 3, Allentown Art Museum
All ages build a sculpture. Seats are first come, first served.

IRT Fall Historical Walk FREE | Sat 9am, Whitehall Parkway Red Barn, Whitehall
Walk the Ironton Rail Trail and learn its history. No sign-up needed.

Olde Stone Farm Harvest Nights | Fri + Sat 5 to 9pm, 1350 Raubsville Rd., Easton
A flashlight corn maze, a jack-o-lantern straw maze, and a moonlight hayride. $10, $7 for 65 and up, and kids 4 and under are free.

FOOD & DRINK

Trick or Treat in the Vineyard | Fri 3 to 6, Sat 1 to 6, Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville
Walk to spooky spots around the vineyard for six wines, each paired with Halloween candy. $20, grown-ups only.

From Spirits to Speakeasies | Fri 6 to 8pm, Sigal Museum, Easton
A walking tour of Easton during Prohibition. $23.18, and not for kids under 12.

COMEDY

Improv Comedy Night | Thu 7:30pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
$10, cash at the door.

Wait, I Think I Know This One! | Fri 7:30pm, Bethlehem Visitor Center, SteelStacks
$14.50 to $16, and teens 13 and up can come with a parent.

Halloween Bingo | Sun 1pm, Fowler Blast Furnace Room, SteelStacks
$22, ages 21 and up.

SPORTS

Phantoms vs. Syracuse | Sat 7:05pm, PPL Center, Allentown
Saturday night hockey downtown.

Phantoms vs. Belleville: Phan Con | Sun 3:05pm, PPL Center, Allentown
An afternoon game that gets the kids home by dinner.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Mark Farner's American Band with Molly Hatchet | Sat 8pm, Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe
$35 to $45.

Candlebox with Sponge | Sun 8pm, Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe
$39.50 in advance, $44.50 the day of the show.

Deana Carter | Thu 8pm, Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe
$24 to $34.

ArtYard Fall Exhibitions Opening FREE | Sat 6pm, ArtYard, Frenchtown, NJ
Reserve a free spot for the opening night of ArtYard's 10th season.

The Epic Trick or Trot 5K is Saturday, October 31 in Bethlehem, but sign-up closes Wednesday, October 28 at 8pm. The 5K is $45 and the kids' dash is $15.

The Halloween Party on the Plaza is Wednesday, October 28, 6 to 8, at Bethlehem City Hall's Payrow Plaza. Costumes are encouraged.

The Banana Ball ticket lottery closes Saturday, October 31 at 11:59pm. The Firefighters and the Indianapolis Clowns bring Banana Ball to Jefferson Park, the IronPigs' ballpark, May 7 and 8, 2027.

Allentown's Halloween Walking Parade is Saturday, October 31, 11 to 2 on Hamilton Street, and Dia de los Muertos fills the Arts Park Sunday, November 1, 2:30 to 7:30.

Want a shirt from the Nazareth Pumpkin Pie 5K on Thanksgiving morning? Register by Sunday, November 1 at 4:59pm. It is $37.50.

Free drive-thru flu shots are Saturday, November 7 at Dorney Park and Sunday, November 8 at LVH-Hecktown Oaks, 9 to 3.

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, kids 5 and under are free, and Fridays 5 to 8 are free for everyone.

The Christmas City Stroll walking tour starts November 13 in Bethlehem, $20 for adults and $12 for kids.

Lafayette vs. Lehigh, game No. 162, is Saturday, November 21 at 12:30 at Fisher Stadium in Easton. Last year sold out.

Lights in the Parkway opens its 30th season Friday, November 27. It is $16 a car, and you have to reserve online. Monday nights are free to walk or bike, and Polar Express night is Monday, December 14.

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.