It’s the first official weekend of spring, and there’s plenty to do to celebrate.
The Morning Call has a list of top events to check out in the area this weekend.
Marbling art in Bethlehem
Art-lovers and families can learn about the world of paper marbling as part of the “Paper Marbling Experience” at Whistling Studios in Bethlehem.
The Friday night event is a workshop where guests will learn at least four marbling patterns and create marbled papers, which are crafted with various floating paints and inks. The event is BYOB.
Whistling Studios, led by Keith Garubba, is an art studio hosting workshops, private instruction and more. The organization’s website describes Garubba’s art practice as a way to “live a more empowered life by creating art mindfully, playfully, and regularly.”
“You’ll be walked through all the techniques you need to make mesmerizing designs in the vibrant colors of the season,” a description of Friday’s event reads.
If you go: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 650 E. North St., Bethlehem. Tickets, at a $115 cost, can be purchased at whistlingstudios.com.
More St. Patrick’s Day fun
Following St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, there’s one more exciting emerald festival event in Allentown on Sunday. The city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will kick off at 1:30 p.m. in the West End. The first parade was held in the late 1860s, according to the parade’s website. The event is now in its 67th edition.
The parade begins at 19th St. near the city’s Fairgrounds Track, and will complete a rectangular loop. The parade expects approximately 2,000 marchers at Sunday’s event.
Admission to the event is free.
If you go: Fairgrounds Track address is 302 N 17th St, Allentown. The march will last from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Allentown Hobo “Almost” Marching Band performs Sunday, March 23, 2025, during the 66th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Saturday night comedy
A comedian who’s no stranger to New York City’s biggest humorists will host a show in Bethlehem on Saturday.
Jonathan van Halem — a stand-up comedian who currently works at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and previously worked at Stephen Colbert’s show — will demonstrate his “observational comedy and relatable style,” at the SteelStacks Visitor Center.
Van Halem, a Brooklyn native, is no stranger to the Lehigh Valley, having performed shows here before. General admission prices for Saturday’s show cost $25.
If you go: SteelStacks is located at 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Anyone looking to join the laughter can purchase tickets at artsquest.org; the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Annual auto show
At Lehigh University, all the stylish and speedy cars will be on display for the annual Lehigh Valley Auto Show. Beginning Wednesday night with an evening kickoff, the bulk of the event spans from Thursday to Saturday with “cutting-edge innovation” and “timeless design,” according to the organization’s website.
The event also features a “Cars and Kids” gala 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and a custom-tuned cars showcase — “The Tuner Showcase” — at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“Across five action-packed days, experience the vehicles shaping the future, the brands raising the bar, and the people who keep our region moving forward,” reads a description of the event.
If you go: Adult tickets cost $10, seniors pay $8, children (6-14) pay $8 and children 5 years old and under get in for free. Visit lehighvalleyautoshow.org for more.
Andreas Pelekis is a freelance writer. Reach out to him with weekend tips for next weekend at atp3417@gmail.com.