Arts & Culture

“Ireland’s famous export is its people, but obviously our culture. This time of year everybody wants to be Irish,” said Neville Gardner, owner of McCarthy's Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in Bethlehem.

It's been a wonderfully warm week, so you might be hankering for some ice cream. Fortunately, these Lehigh Valley sweets shops have St. Patrick's Day themed frosty desserts that are perfect for this time of year.

A St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony/Irish Culture Celebration on Friday at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley.

The free Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival will be Saturday, June 22, along Allentown's Hamilton Street from Fifth to Ninth streets, and on North and South Seventh Street.

Shanita Hubbard, the author of “Ride Or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women," spoke at the 1869 Luckenbach Mill on Thursday in Bethlehem.

The Bethlehem festival, which organizers say barely muddled its way through a rainy event last year, got a $75,000 state grant announced Wednesday by state Sen. Lisa Boscola.

The Front Bottoms, the New Jersey-based band that had the Top 20 Alternative hit “Peace Sign” in 2018, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the second paid Levitt Pavilion show announced for this season.

Gin Blossoms, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Vertical Horizon are on the bill for Aug. 15 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. The show unites three acts that from 1991 to 2001 collectively produced 17 Top 20 alternative hits and five gold and platinum albums.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest American Bach Choir. As it closes its 125th anniversary celebration, it's about to do something it's never done before — release a live CD. The choir also has released details of its upcoming 116th Bethlehem Bach Festival.

Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox, which reinterprets contemporary hit songs as jazz, ragtime and swing music, will perform at the theater at 7 p.m. July 21.

311, which blends rock, reggae, hip hop and funk, is making a stop in Bethlehem in June. The Decemberists also are slated to perform at the venue in late July.

Brian Krajewski, who a release described as a live entertainment industry veteran, has replaced Gunnar Fox, who had been the venue's general manager since it opened.

Judy Collins, best known for her 1968 hit "Both Sides Now" and 1975's "Send in the Clowns," will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 20.

Fiesta on Hamilton will take over Hamilton Street from 9th Street to 11th Street 1 to 7 p.m. May 18, the Chamber announced.

O.A.R., which most recently played Musikfest in a co-headline show with Goo Goo Dolls in 2023, will perform at the event center at 8 a.m. Aug. 21.

The Black Keys, best known for its double-platinum hits "Lonely Boy" and "Gold on the Ceiling," will headline Musikfest's Steel Stage on Aug. 10.

WWE was once a near-annual staple in Allentown and throughout the Lehigh Valley. But the company has not returned since a holiday tour stop in 2023.

Celtic Thunder, known for its eclectic, theatrical show, backed by the Celtic Thunder Band, will bring a brand-new show, "An Intimate Evening with Celtic Thunder," to Easton's State Theatre. The group will perform at Saturday, Sept. 13.

The former reality star was the first DJ to spin at the new upscale lounge on the lower level of the historic hotel.

SangriaFest, which includes food, vendors, lawn games, live music and, of course, the namesake wine-and-fruit beverage, will be 2 p.m. June 21 on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem.

From pizza to dessert, here's where to find the best food deals on Pi Day in the Lehigh Valley.

The free expo is now in its seventh year and will occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Penn State Lehigh Valley.