Arts & Culture

Whether you're looking to side with safety to celebrate Independence Day this year, want a fun event or just don't want to deal with post-celebration clean-up, plenty of spots in the Lehigh Valley are offering free and purchase-required events.

Celtic Classic is scheduled Sept. 27-29 on the festival grounds near downtown Bethlehem.

That clash of fantasy and education worlds comes to Ag Hall at Allentown Fairgrounds July 5-7, when Jurassic Quest, which bills itself as North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur event, returns to Allentown.

On Saturday, thousands of Eagles fans descended upon Coca-Cola Park to watch the 3rd annual DeVonta Smith & Friends Celebrity Softball Game, where proceeds benefitted St. Luke's and IronPigs charities

The Thunderhawk, one of 10 wooden roller coasters still operating, was built in 1924.

Fans came together at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday to pay homage to actress Jayne Mansfield, star of stage, page, and screen.

Brooks & Dunn, the country music Hall of Fame duo who, after retiring in 2010 has reunited for a tour of 20 venues, made a stop Friday at Allentown's PPL Center.

The free performance will take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at the Rose Garden.

Tony Trischka’s EarlJam: A Tribute to Earl Scruggs, featuring Michael Daves, Jared Engel and Duncan Wickel, will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 30, Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem.

Pablo Batista, Hector Rosado and Luisito Rosario will headline ArtsQuest's ¡Sabor! Latin Festival on Saturday, June 29.

ArtsQuest is about 80% of the way in funding its incoming $32 million Cultural Center to replace the Banana Factory arts and education facility at 25. W Third St.

Occasional light drizzle did nothing to keep the crowd away from the opening night of the 14th Oktoberfest at SteelStacks on Friday night. The festival runs through the weekend and again Oct. 11-13.

John Legend, best known for his 14-times platinum No. 1 hit “All of Me” from 2013, will perform “A John Legend Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at PPL Center, it was announced.

The Grand Theater in East Greenville, Montgomery County, is throwing it back to the many decades it had been in operation this weekend as it marks the building's 100th year.

This weekend, The Mahoning Drive-In Theater will host a special two-day event with Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson. Prepare for B movie insanity!

Melissa Etheridge, who had chart-topping songs such as “Bring Me Some Water,” “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 26. She'll be joined by Joss Stone and Taylor Dayne.

Oktoberfest at SteelStacks begins on Friday, Oct. 4. The two-weekend celebration will feature four biergartens, a bratwurst eating contest, weiner dog race, polka music and a drag show.

The four-day festival will feature performances by Kinetic Light, a disability arts ensemble and a Latin fest. It starts Thursday, Oct. 3, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6.

Residents and officials came together at Samuel Balliet Stadium on Wednesday night to celebrate the newly installed lights, and the return of night games to the borough.

Live Nation, the country's top music promoter, will book shows for the state-of-the-art entertainment venue at 935-939 Hamilton St., the promoter announced.

Dorney Park's first-ever short film, "Tick Tick Tick," dropped on YouTube on October 1, serving as a spooky advertisement and teaser for the amusement park's frightening Halloween Haunt.

Celebrate the stink this weekend, when Easton Garlic Fest returns to the city, featuring over 130 vendors, and a special performance by Tito Puente Jr.