Arts & Culture

A look back at some of our favorite arts, culture, and entertainment stories of the year, including Allentown Art Museum's must-see windows, Musikfest, Super Bowl bling, and a rock legend's last performance in Allentown.

Seph Schlueter, whose song "Counting My Blessings" topped both Billboard's Christian Airplay and Christian Adult Contemporary charts, will play at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Calvary Baptist Church at 5300 Green Pond Road.

Pink Talking Fish, a tribute to Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish, will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 10, it was announced.

The event center has announced it's offering 25% off tickets to seven select shows, including matchbox twenty singer Rob Thomas, jazz singer Diana Krall and alternative rockers Bush.

Dan Kelly, who has fronted the band Fortunate Youth since its 2009 start, will perform a solo acoustic show at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Rising River Brewing, 1955 Willow Lane.

Christkindlmarkt saw 145,552 holiday shoppers this year — an increase of 17,168 or 13.4% compared with the 128,384 who attended in 2024, according to a release.

Wind Creek Event Center was the No. 2 highest-grossing club in the world, according to Pollstar magazine's annual industry calculations.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street again will only partially illuminate its rooftop sign from Christmas Eve to Christmas night — a tradition that goes back decades and was forgotten, until its revival a few years ago.

Clave Legacy Quintet, a faith-based jazz group, performed a free concert at the ArtsQuest Center’s Palette & Pour, previewing the Three Kings celebration scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 4.

"Trees of Historic Bethlehem," celebrating 20 years this holiday season, features two decades of its fan-favorite Christmas trees on display through Sunday, Jan. 11.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures, starts a four-day PPL Center residency at 7 p.m.

Former Disney 'tween stars Aly & AJ at 7 p.m. March 26 will play at Allentown's Archer Music Hall. Tickets, the prices of which were not announced, will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Archer website and the box office at 939 Hamilton St., Allentown.

A new Light, Projection Mapping, and Immersive Art Festival is headed to Easton in 2026, but fans can get a sneak preview of what's to come at city's Centre Square this Friday and Saturday.

Kansas, the group that had the iconic hits songs “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” will perform at Wind Creek Event Center at 8 p.m. May 29. And Aries Spears, who was a cast member on "Mad TV" from 1997-2005, will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 12.

ArtsQuest and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks announced Monday an open call for artists to create an official poster and program book artwork for the 2026 Levitt concert season. The deadline to apply to the artist open call is Friday, Dec. 12, and finalists will be notified by Friday, Dec. 19.

Country singer, songwriter and fiddler Alison Krauss will perform at Easton's State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. July 20.

A capella group Straight No Chaser, with members Walter Chase of Forks and Jerome Collins of Allentown (front, third from left) play two shows at Easton's State Theatre today, Dec 7.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites on Saturday night recognized Historic Hotel Bethlehem for its historical preservation efforts. The group held its annual Benefactor’s Reception & Awards ceremony at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

Wilson Area LINCS will hold its fourth annual Photos with Santa event at the high school Saturday, offering kids a chance to meet the big man and get a photo, pick out presents and so much more.

Organized by the SouthSide Arts District, First Friday is a monthly community celebration across South Bethlehem, featuring art, live music, cultural experiences and historical attractions.

A popular retro stylist band that was among the bigger-named acts to play an early show at Allentown's new Archer Music Hall will return to the area to play Wind Creek Event Center. So will a top comedian who has been a favorite of the Lehigh Valley.

World Cup 2026 excitement kicks off today, Friday, Dec. 5, at ArtsQuest with the return of the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party, which starts at noon.