Arts & Culture

Recently retired linebacker Brandon Graham was the star turn at Dorney Park's tailgate party, where more than 100 fans celebrated the NFL season’s imminent start.

ArtsQuest's Cold Brew Hullabaloo, a cold coffee convention that debuted at Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks last year, will return Sept. 14, it was announced.

This year's honorees are abstract artist Michael Freeman, Lehigh University producer Steven Lichak, museum accessibility advocate Elise Schaffer, and members of the IceHouse Performing Arts Collaborative. The group will be honored at an awards ceremony in September.

The Struts performed Wednesday night at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. The focus of the concert was a celebration of the 10th anniversary U.S. release of their debut album, "Everybody Wants."

To CEO Russell Fletcher, starting out as a small hyper-local business gave Mishka Premium Vodka a leg up to evolve at the rate it is right now. Soon, the vodka, which is distilled in Allentown, will be carried by yet another national chain.

Cheap Trick, which had its first hit with “Surrender” in 1978 and 10 years later had its biggest hit with “The Flame,” will perform Oct. 22. And Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, with his Led Zeppelin Evening will perform Nov. 15.

The Struts stop at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks for a paid-ticket show in which it will play the entire album, as well as other songs.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church held a festival for the community to raise money for families and victims of the deadly attack at Prophet Elias Church (Mar Elisa) in Damascus, Syria.

The Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival returns to Bethlehem’s Charles A. Brown Ice House for its third year on Saturday. The nine-hour event will feature 39 short films, including student work from several Pennsylvania universities.

A new documentary focusing on income and wealth disparity in America will premiere at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem. It was produced by Richard Master, founder and CEO of MCS Industries in Palmer Township.

Foodies now have another late night option in Southside Bethlehem. The Barbecue Boys, which opened Tuesday, Sept. 16, offers a fast-casual dining setting that's open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs unveiled the team’s new America 250 uniforms, created in collaboration with ArtsQuest and featuring Musikfest’s 2026 “Music Unites” artwork by local artist Doug Boehm.

The 12th annual Winter Light Spectacular, with 1.2 million holiday lights — which the zoo says is more than any other Pennsylvania attraction — will kick off Nov. 14 and run through Jan. 3.

Pennsylvania saw 201.6 million visitors, generating $49.9 billion in visitor spending and $83.9 billion in economic impact in 2024. In the Lehigh Valley, visitor spending increased 1.5%, generating just over $2.5 billion.

The grant will be used to help replace all 91 windows with historically accurate, insulated glass and wood models to "enhance the building’s energy efficiency while preserving its historical integrity," a news release says.

ArtsQuest unveiled the 2026 Musikfest poster, “Music Unites,” honoring America’s 250th anniversary. The design came from two-time Musikfest artist Doug Boehm.

New for this year, among the two different kinds of sheep, rabbits, miniature donkeys and ponies live at the Johnson Barn, there also will be 10 Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats on site for snuggling.

Rod Stewart, who in a 57-year recording career has sold a certified 85 million albums and an estimated 120 million worldwide, will perform at Allentown's PPL Center 8 p.m. March 14.

Dr. Katherine Faull, who is an internationally acclaimed scholar on Moravian studies, took on the role in September, according to a news release from Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township throughout September is offering all responders complimentary breakfast and a special hotel rate.

The Lehigh Valley Vegan Chef Challenge is asking local eateries to put their best plant-based dishes forward, and for the community to rate their favorites to find a champion.

The venue on Thursday touted the installation of a massive, high-definition videoboard that nearly doubles the size of the original display installed in 2014.