The holiday season kicks off with one of Bethlehem’s favorite traditions: the 23rd Annual Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Walk, returning Saturday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m. Presented by Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, the event draws hundreds of runners, joggers, walkers, and families to the city’s Historic District in support of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.
Bethlehem is ushering in the holiday season with Walnut Week, a community-wide celebration marking the grand opening of the new Walnut Street Garage in downtown Bethlehem. From November 17–21, the city will host a series of events highlighting accessibility, connection, and the festive spirit that defines the Christmas City.
Spend this weekend with the arts at Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center, where two powerful performances promise to fill Baker Hall with music and emotion. On Friday, October 24, Lehigh University Choral Arts presents Into the Darkness, a moving exploration of mystery and reflection through choral music.
Then, on Sunday, October 26, the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra, led by Marin Alsop, takes the stage for an afternoon of orchestral brilliance.
Godfrey Daniels is keeping the music flowing through fall with an eclectic October and November lineup that spans folk, jazz, blues, Americana, and a lot in between.
From Grammy winners like Jim Lauderdale and David Cullen to local favorites such as Tavern Tan, Maria Woodford, and Roi & The Secret People, the 50th anniversary season brings something for every kind of listener.
Whether you’re drawn to storytelling songwriters, foot-tapping blues, or finely tuned harmonies, there’s no better place to experience it than Bethlehem’s legendary listening room.
If you’ve never been to one go hear what you’ve been missing.
The Mom Market is back for its Autumn Edition on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem Rose Garden (1001 W Union Blvd).
This family-friendly market will feature local makers, artisans, wellness vendors, and delicious food, alongside a full day of free community activities.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs once again rolled up their sleeves to give back to the community, renovating the North Bethlehem Little League field at Heimple Park. The project continues the team’s annual tradition of supporting youth baseball by improving local facilities across the Lehigh Valley.
According to Aaron Weisberg, the IronPigs’ Manager of Community Relations, the initiative has been a yearly effort since 2008. “Each year we choose a Little League field that needs significant renovations and see how our resources can help,” Weisberg said. “We want to make sure these fields can continue to thrive long after we’re gone.”
The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Council will present the 100th ATHENA Award at its annual ceremony on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem. The event will honor two exceptional women and one organization for their leadership, mentorship, and community impact.
The IceHouse in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is set to host a high-energy Punk & DIY showcase on Thursday, October 16, featuring performances by Toxiq Chameleon, Humilitarian, and Bren.
Families and young people are the future of the arts, and no one knows that better than Mark Fitzgerald Wilson, Executive Director of the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.
Mark joined Zoellner in 2020, bringing an eclectic background as an educator, business professional, and opera singer. Originally from Iowa, he discovered the Lehigh Valley through his son’s lacrosse tournaments and fell in love with the area’s energy, trails, and sense of community.
When he arrived at Zoellner, he noticed a missing piece in local arts programming: family experiences that were fun, welcoming, and accessible. The result was Family FUN-A-PALOOZA, an annual event that brings families together for live theater, interactive arts activities, and partnerships with local organizations.
This year’s Family FUN-A-PALOOZA takes place Saturday, November 1 from 10 AM to 1:30 PM, featuring Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical, based on the beloved children’s book by Mo Willems. Developed by the Kennedy Center, the show promises laughter, energy, and plenty of opportunities for kids to move and make noise.
“This is a non-shushing show,” Wilson says. “Kids, have fun. Parents tell us that when they hear that, the weight just lifts off their shoulders. This is for everyone. We have families with neurodivergent children, sensory-friendly audiences, and people who just want to enjoy being here together.”
The event features more than 20 community and campus partners, including PBS, Lehigh University Art Galleries, and local dance groups. Visitors can take part in crafts, art projects, and pre-show performances throughout Zoellner’s lobby and open spaces. Costumes are encouraged, even for parents.
“It’s the day after Halloween, so bring your costumes,” Wilson laughs. “Dress up, have fun, and parents, wear a costume too.”
Beyond Family FUN-A-PALOOZA, Zoellner’s fall and spring lineup is packed with major performances and new experiences. Wilson highlights Postmodern Jukebox, Dirty Dancing in Concert, and the Morgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Experience, along with orchestral performances from the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra.
“We want to bring world-class artists to our stage while also connecting students to the professional world,” Wilson says. “There are so many great arts organizations in the Lehigh Valley, and each of us brings something different. For Zoellner, it’s about giving people cultural experiences they might not get anywhere else.”
He also points to Zoellner’s new well-being concert series, which lets audiences lie onstage among musicians for a meditative, health-focused experience.
“The arts are part of the ecosystem that keeps our community healthy,” Wilson explains. “Music and movement make people feel better. Across the country, doctors are prescribing the arts as part of someone’s physical or mental health. That’s where we’re headed too.”
Wilson says innovation will define the next phase of Zoellner’s growth. Expect site-specific performances, partnerships with local nonprofits for community ticket programs, and more creative collaborations that bring people together in unexpected spaces.
“People want experiences, not just events,” Wilson says. “Some want to sit in Baker Hall, some want to see a show outside, and some might even want to see something in a parking garage. The arts can meet people wherever they are.”
Family FUN-A-PALOOZA 2025 takes place Saturday, November 1 from 10 AM to 1:30 PM at the Zoellner Arts Center on the campus of Lehigh University.
Visit zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu for details and upcoming events.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: www.lvwithlove.com
The multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir will bring its acclaimed Peace concert to Baker Hall at Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The performance celebrates resilience, faith, and unity through an inspiring blend of South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals, and beloved classics.
The Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem will host its annual Steak & Burger Dinner on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Wind Creek Bethlehem. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 p.m., celebrating 95 years of service to local youth.
ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas will launch its fall Cinema Film Studies series on October 18, offering audiences an in-depth look at how storytelling evolves across genres, history and media. Hosted at the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, the series brings together professors, filmmakers and editors for interactive lectures and workshops.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites will open “Working Hands: Supplying a Revolution” on Oct. 3 at the 1869 Luckenbach Mill, 459 Old York Road in Bethlehem, Pa. The exhibition examines how the Moravian community balanced pacifist beliefs with mounting pressure to support patriot forces during the American Revolution.
On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Devika Knafo, the organizer behind The Mom Market, a vibrant new pop-up event coming to the Bethlehem Rose Garden on August 24.
The Mom Market is designed to celebrate and support mom and women entrepreneurs in the Lehigh Valley, featuring artisan goods, local businesses, wellness vendors, food, and entertainment in a family-friendly community setting.
We talk about how Devika came up with the idea, the challenges moms face balancing business and family, and why creating spaces for women to connect, collaborate, and grow is so important. She also gives us a preview of the day’s schedule, from community yoga to kids’ storytime and even Disney princess dance-offs, and shares what’s next for this seasonal series of markets.
🎧 Listen now:
www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast
📍 The Mom Market
August 24, 9:30 AM–3 PM
Bethlehem Rose Garden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsmeetmarket
