Parade, zoo, and Dia de los Muertos

The best of the Lehigh Valley, every Thursday · Issue #10 · October 29, 2026

Happy Thursday, Lehigh Valley!

It is Halloween weekend, and it lands on a Saturday. Most towns trick-or-treat Friday night, which leaves Saturday and Sunday wide open for parades, pumpkins, and the best leaf color in years.

Even better, it stays dry all four days.

Weather: a little morning fog, then mostly sunny and 71 today. Friday is sunny and 69, then upper 30s overnight, so bundle up the trick-or-treaters. Saturday is mostly sunny and 62. Sunday is partly sunny and 65. No rain in the forecast.

- Joe Roller

Allentown turns Halloween into a three-day party this year, and the two biggest parts are free. Here is how to do the whole weekend.

Friday, 6pm: trick-or-treat. Allentown's citywide trick-or-treat night is Friday, 6 to 8. That gets the candy run done early and keeps Saturday clear.

Saturday, 11am: the Walking Parade. The Halloween Walking Parade takes over Hamilton Street downtown, roughly 8th to 12th, from 11 to 2. There are no cars in this one. It is all walking, with bands, dance groups, and local groups.

Along the way you will find craft stations for mask decorating, a dance floor, photo spots, and food vendors. Wear the costume. The rain date is Sunday, but Saturday looks sunny.

Saturday, 1:30pm: a second parade. Walk over to the Da Vinci Science Center at 815 W. Hamilton St. for its Parade of Witches. It is the last weekend of Witches and Wizards, with science shows at 11, 1, and 3:30. Admission is $24 for ages 3 and up, and 2 and under are free.

Sunday, 2:30pm: Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos fills the Allentown Arts Park from 2:30 to 7:30. It is free, with music, dance, and food. Every vendor is a local Mexican business.

The city puts it on with Interlace and the Baum School of Art. Stay until dusk for the folklorico dancers. The rain date is Sunday, November 8.

What it costs: $0 for the parade and Dia de los Muertos. Add Da Vinci and it is $96 for two adults and two kids, plus parking.

Click here: To see the Hallo-weekend schedule!

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

WEST: Emmaus and the Macungies

Emmaus and Upper Macungie trick-or-treat Friday, 6 to 8. Macungie goes Saturday, 6 to 8, and Lower Macungie goes Saturday, 6 to 9.

Saturday morning, head to Tricks and Treats at Dorney Park, open at 11. It has a trick-or-treat trail and a Charlie Brown show. The Family Pack is $35 a person online for four or more people. Everyone has to get in before 2.

Leave by 4 and you are home in time for the Saturday towns. Cost: from $140 for four, plus fees and tax.

CENTRAL: Bath and Nazareth

Bath and Nazareth trick-or-treat Saturday, 6 to 8, so do your outdoor time Sunday. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center has 1,168 acres of trails, including Henrys Woods, an old forest along Bushkill Creek.

Northampton County is at peak color right now, so this is the weekend to go. Pack a snack and let the kids pick the trail. Cost: $0.

NORTH: Slatington, North Whitehall, and Schnecksville

It is the last weekend of Boo at the Zoo at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Trick-or-treat stations run Saturday and Sunday from 10, and Boo is free with regular admission. Bring your own bag.

The costume contest is Saturday at 12:30. Sign up that day, and only 25 kids get in, so go early. Tickets are $18 for ages 12 and up and $14 for ages 2 to 11.

The zoo sits inside Trexler Nature Preserve, so take a leaf walk after. North Whitehall trick-or-treats Friday, 6 to 8. Cost: $64 for four.

SOUTH: Hellertown, Coopersburg, and Saucon

Saturday at noon, Lehigh hosts Bucknell for Hawk-O-Ween at Goodman Stadium. Costumes are welcome. Lehigh has not posted a ticket price, so check LehighTickets.com.

Sunday, see The Art of the Dollhouse at the Kemerer Museum, 427 N. New St. in Bethlehem: 44 antique dollhouses with more than 6,000 tiny things inside. It is open Sunday 11 to 4. Self-guided is $14 for adults and $7 for kids.

Cost: $42 for four at the museum.

ALLENTOWN

After the parade, Salisbury Township holds its first Trunk or Treat Saturday, 2 to 4, at Salisbury Middle School, 3301 Devonshire Rd. Walk-up families are welcome. It is best for ages 2 to 10.

Sunday at 10, Da Vinci has a Sensory Hour with the lights and sounds turned down, included with admission. Then catch the Phantoms at 3:05 for Haunted on Hamilton, with a popcorn bucket giveaway. The team has not posted a ticket price.

EASTON and the Slate Belt

Saturday, 9 to 1, the Easton Farmers' Market throws Pumpkins and Pooches in Scott Park. It is free. Bring the dog for the costume contest (Funniest, Cutest, Best Dog and Owner Duo, and more) and a mini agility course. Kids get trick-or-treat and pumpkin painting.

At 4, Haunted Illusions brings illusionist David Caserta from America's Got Talent to the State Theatre. Tickets are $34.25 for adults and $27.95 for kids 12 and under. It starts at 4, so you are out well before Easton trick-or-treats Saturday, 6 to 8.

Sunday is the last day of Hauntoween at Crayola Experience, 10 to 5, with trick-or-treat stations. Heads up: the elevator is out through November 8, so it is stairs to all four floors.

Cost: $124.40 for four at the magic show.

This is the weekend to get outside. State foresters say this fall is one of the most impressive leaf seasons in years.

Northampton County hit peak color last week, and Lehigh County is right behind it. Hickories, maples, and birches have the best color.

"The time is now for getting out there to appreciate what has become one of the most impressive fall foliage displays in recent memory!" the state's foresters wrote.

Good spots close to home: Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville has more than 18 miles of trails, open sunrise to sunset. Jacobsburg near Nazareth has its old forest. And Hawk Mountain is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 6 to 12, open 9 to 5.

Click here: To read the story!

Bethlehem's 105th parade was a big one. More than 2,000 people marched in more than 100 entries down Broad and Main last Sunday, October 25. The city posted the winners.

One-liners: Thinking of adopting? Give a new dog 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months: 3 days to settle, 3 weeks to learn the routine, and 3 months to feel at home. Orefield Middle School eighth graders got to dig through a traveling Revolutionary War trunk with replica uniform pieces, paper money, and the rice soldiers ate at Valley Forge. And Operation Warm handed out nearly 1,000 warm items, mostly brand-new coats, to Easton Area students.

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

Most of the Valley goes Friday this year. Here are the nights, from each town's page or the WFMZ list:

Your town missing? Hit reply.

Allentown Public Library is closed Friday and Saturday for building maintenance. The notice.

Clocks fall back Sunday at 2am. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Bethlehem leaf pickup starts Monday, November 2, on the West Side and North Side. Rake leaves into the gutter before the trucks come, with no bags and no branches. The schedule.

Route 33 South near Stockertown is down to one lane around the clock through November 9, and the Route 191 on-ramp to 33 South is closed. Leave extra time.

MacArthur Road work in Whitehall should wrap up Friday. Route 100 gets crack sealing Thursday and Friday, 8 to 2, from Haasadahl Road to Route 309.

Apple Butter Road in Lower Saucon is closed through Friday, 8 to 3, with a detour. And next week, Mill Creek Road in Lowhill Township closes around the clock from Monday, November 2 to Friday, November 13, for bridge work.

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

Marcy's Hamburgers is open in its new spot at 125 Northampton St., the old Kabinett space. It now has about 50 seats and a full bar.

The burgers are still there, and after 4pm there are four new dinner plates. A Sunday brunch and a deck with a second bar are on the way.

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 to 9, Friday and Saturday 11:30 to 10, and Sunday 10 to 6.

Click here: To read about it!

Sunny Moon Sconery opens today at 1061 Seneca St. in Fountain Hill, with sweet and savory scones that change every day, clotted cream, and a self-serve coffee and tea bar. Fall hours are Wednesday to Friday 8 to 1 and Saturday 8 to 3. And just past the Valley, The Record Bunker in Lehighton cuts its ribbon Friday at 4, with new and used vinyl and a horror section.

Coming: Karak House Coffee plans to open at 318 E. Third St. in Bethlehem in mid-December, and Love and Honey Fried Chicken is coming to Village West in South Whitehall, no date yet.

Closing: after 39 years, the Celtic Classic says this fall's festival was its last. Thanks for all the bagpipes, Bethlehem.

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
Live music every Thursday. Two more weeks after this one.

Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market FREE | Thu 9 to 7, Fri 8 to 7, Sat 8 to 6, 1825 Chew St., Allentown
All indoors, so it works in any weather.

LIVE & FREE MUSIC

Wood N' Strings FREE | Fri 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
A free acoustic set on the South Side.

Jacob Daniels FREE | Sat 7pm, Williams Brew Stage, SteelStacks
Free Halloween night music.

Frank DiBussolo's Jazz Connection | Thu 7pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
With The Philadelphia Trio. $25.59 in advance, $30.78 at the door.

Peter Karp Band | Fri 8pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
Americana and blues. $27.67 in advance, $32.86 at the door.

The Keystone Breakers | Sat 8pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
An album release party with '70s country and Southern blues. $26.63 in advance, and tickets are running low.

Open Mike Night | Sun 7pm, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem
$3 at the door, cash only.

The Fab Faux | Fri 7:30pm, State Theatre, Easton
The Beatles' "Revolver" start to finish, with horns and strings. $70 to $95.

The Brit Pack | Fri 7:30pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
Zeppelin, Queen, the Stones, and Bowie. $27 to $63, plus a $10 food and drink minimum for reserved seats.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac | Fri 8pm, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
$39.50 and $49.50, plus fees.

Alice Cooper | Sun 7pm, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem
The king of shock rock, just in time for Halloween. $69.50 to $139.50, plus fees.

ARTS & CULTURE

The Art of the Dollhouse Opening Party | Thu 5:30 to 7:30pm, Kemerer Museum, Bethlehem
Music, wine, and snacks with 44 antique dollhouses. $10.

VOCES8 | Sun 4pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem
British a cappella. $35 or $45, with a free talk at 3.

Bachmann After Dark | Sat 6pm and 7pm, 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton
A candlelit tour of 18th-century fears, 10 people a tour. $15. Friday is sold out and Saturday is almost gone.

1758 Sun Inn Ghost and Spirit Tours | Sun 4:30pm and 6pm, Sun Inn, Bethlehem
The last tours of the year. $30 with a spirits tasting, and spots are low.

Steelworkers' Archives Walking Tours | Thu to Sun 11am, plus 1:30 Sat and Sun, SteelStacks
Guided walks of the old Bethlehem Steel site. $15. The Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Tour runs daily at 1, $12 to $20.

48-Hour Film Challenge: Horror Edition | Sun 6pm, Banko Cinemas, SteelStacks
Local horror shorts made in under 48 hours. $10.50.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Fri + Sat 11:30pm, Banko Cinemas, SteelStacks
The midnight movie on Halloween weekend. $13.50, rated R.

Halloween (1978) | Sat 9:45pm, Banko Cinemas, SteelStacks
The original, on Halloween night. $13.50, grown-ups.

Rocky Horror with a Shadow Cast | Sat 9:30pm, Emmaus Theatre
Sweet Translucent Dreams acts it out in front of the screen. $15, costumes welcome, and kids need an adult.

Ozzy and Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning | Thu 7pm, Banko Cinemas, SteelStacks
The concert film on the big screen. $16.50.

FAMILY & OUTDOORS

Toddler Storytime FREE | Thu 10am, Bethlehem Visitor Center, SteelStacks
Half an hour of stories for ages 1 to 4. It is the last one of the fall.

FOOD & DRINK

Halloween Haunt at Dorney Park | Sat 7 to 11pm, Dorney Park, Allentown
Haunted mazes for teens and grown-ups, not for kids under 13. The Haunt Bundle starts at $60, plus fees.

SteelStacks Zombie Ball | Sat 8pm, Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem
A DJ, tarot, an aerialist, and cash prizes for costumes. $19.25 in advance, ages 18 and up.

Friday Night Fright Feast | Fri 6pm or 7pm, Dorney Park, Allentown
An all-you-can-eat buffet with monsters walking around. $25 plus tax, and park entry is extra.

Wind Creek Halloween Party | Sat doors 9pm, Wind Creek, Bethlehem
"Dollhouse of Horrors," with a $500 costume contest. $10 at the door, ages 21 and up.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Dio Rules | Fri 8pm, Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe
A tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Itty Bitty Nature Buddies: Terrific Trees | Sun 10am, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton
For ages 3 to 5 with a grown-up. $15 for one adult and one child, and you need to sign up.

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. Igloo rentals are on sale now.

Breakfast with Bluey and Bingo is Sunday, November 22 at 9am at Musikfest Cafe. It is $31 a person, and every guest needs a ticket.

PA Youth Ballet's The Nutcracker is Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, at noon and 4, at Zoellner, with a live orchestra. Tickets are $35, $49, and $59.

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.