The kids are out of school, and pretty soon they’ll utter the phrase parents are all too familiar with: “I’m bored.”
Keeping them occupied, however, shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. From summer concerts to movies in the park, here is a list of free things to do in the Lehigh Valley and beyond this summer.
FESTIVALS
Sabor Latin Festival: June 25-27. ArtsQuest’s celebration of the region’s Latino culture, with music, food and family events, including concerts, arts and crafts, children’s activities, Latin dance presentations and more. artsquest.org.
One Earth ReggaeFest: July 11. SteelStacks, Bethlehem. Day-long festival featuring eclectic vendors, authentic Jamaican food and more. This year’s lineup features headliner Jesse Royal, along with national acts including Latino reggae-rock Fayuca and New York’s The Big Takeover led by NeeNee Rushie. No tickets required. artsquest.org.
Easton Heritage Day: July 11. Easton celebrates the reading of Declaration of Independence in Centre Square in 1776 with a family festival that showcases local history, offers activities for kids, and concludes with fireworks over the Forks of the Delaware. heritageday.org.
Blast Furnace Blues: July 17-18. Blast Furnace Blues Festival returns to ArtsQuest’s SteelStacks campus with two days of live music. artsquest.org.
Doug Burton of Seemsville leads reenactors dressed as British troops through Centre Square on Heritage Day, Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Easton. Heritage Day showcases local and regional history with reenactment events, recreational activities and musical performances. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Musikfest: July 31-Aug. 9. ArtsQuest’s 10-day festival returns with hundreds of free performances and activities for adults and children in downtown Bethlehem and at SteelStacks on the South Side. Most music and activities are free, but tickets are required for headliners. musikfest.org, 610-332-FEST.
Allentown Fair: Sept. 2-7. While there is an $10 admission price for adults and amusement rides are extra, kids 12 and under get in free every day and everyone gets in free noon-2 p.m. Sept. 3-4. allentownfair.com
Martin on Main: noon-7 p.m. July 25. The Circle and South Main Street to Belvidere Street, Nazareth. Live music, food vendors, beer and wine, artisan and craft vendors.
Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival: Sept. 25-27, Historic Downtown Bethlehem. celticfest.org.
MOVIES
Allentown “Movies in the Park” series. Movies begin at sunset. “Lilo and Stitch,” June 26, Mack Pool, 1901 Mack Blvd, rain date, June 27; “Captain America: The First Avenger,” July 10, Franklin Park 214-232 N. 14th St., rain date, July 11; “Zootopia 2,” July 24, Cedar Pool, 101 N Ott St., rain date, July 25; “Freakier Friday,” Aug. 7, Cedar Rose Gardens, 2700 Parkway Blvd., rain date, Aug. 8; “Wicked: For Good,” Aug. 28, Union Terrace, 200 S. St Elmo St., rain date, Aug. 29. 610-437-7750.
Upper Macungie Township: Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. and movies at sundown. “Lilo & Stitch,” July 10, Breinigsville Park, 8935 Breingsville Road, Breingsville; “Zootopia 2,” Aug. 14, Grange Park, 360 Grange Rd, Allentown. https://www.uppermac.org
Frank Banko Sensory-Friendly Family Movie Series: Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The theater’s house lights are dimmed, the film volume is lowered and previews eliminated to provide a comfortable viewing experience for families with children with special needs. Films begin at 1:30 p.m. “The Lion King,” July 8; “Aladdin,” July 15; “Paddington IN Peru,” July 22; “Monsters Inc.,” July 29; “How To Train Your Dragon,” Aug. 19.
Bethlehem: Movies begin at sundown. “Wizard of Oz,” June 23, The Rose Garden, 1001 W. Union Blvd.; “Lilo and Stitch,” July 14, Yosko Park, 617 Atlantic St.; “Zootopia 2,” July 21, Bayard Park, 1525 Geraldine St.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Free Family Movie Series: 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Movies begin at 6:30 p.m. “The Lion King,” July 8; “Aladdin,” July15; “Paddington in Peru,” July 22; “Monsters Inc.,” July 22; “How To Train Your Dragon,” Aug. 19.
South Whitehall Township parks: Pre-movie activities and food trucks begin at 7 p.m. “How to Train Your Dragon,” July 17, Vista Park, Clauser Road, Orefield; “GOAT,” Aug. 14, Springhouse West Park, 4320 Farm Drive, Allentown.
Lower Saucon Township: “Disney’s Zootopia,” 7 p.m. June 26, Town Hall Park, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem; “Zootopia 2,” 7 p.m. July 17, Steel City Park, 2122 Riverside Drive, Bethlehem; “Lilo & Stitch,” 7 p.m. Aug. 21, Polk Valley Park, 2068 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown.
Faces in the crowd Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, at MusikFest in Bethlehem. Saurus returns to Musikfest this year, with street performances. The Saurus performers are known for their theatrical flair and ability to engage with the audience. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
MUSIC
Upper Saucon Township: Hopewell Park, 4695 W. Hopewell Road, Center Valley, 6:30-8 p.m. The Weekenders, June 19; Island Time, June 26; USA 250th Celebration, Galena Brass Band, 5-6 p.m., Concert Band, 7:30-9 p.m., fireworks, 9 p.m. July 11; Scott Marshall Band, July 24; Crag Thatcher Band, Aug. 14.
Alburtis Park: 328 S. Main St., 2-6 p.m. unless noted. Bakersfield, June 21. Bill Reese & Dave Rehrig, June 21; Rehrig Brothers Band, June 28; Les Meck & Physical Wreks, July 5; Cindy & The Boys, July 12; The Majestics, July 19; Midnight Special, July 26; Jesse Wade Band, Aug. 2; The Steel Creek Band, Aug. 9; Steve Ritter & Waitin’ On Sundown, Aug. 16; Cramer Brothers, Aug. 23; Honky Tonk Deluxe, Aug. 30.
Allentown, West Park: 16th and Turner streets, 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Marine Band, June 19; Royalaires, 7:30 p.m., June 20; Allentown Band (“Sousa” Concert), June 28; Royalaires, 7:30 p.m., July 3; Municipal Band, July 5; Pioneer Band, July 12; Municipal Band, July 19; Royalaires, 7:30 p.m., July 24; Marine Band, July 26; Pioneer Band, Aug. 2; Macungie Band, Aug.7; Municipal Band, Aug. 9; Royalaires, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 14; Allentown Band, Aug. 16; Pioneer Band, Aug. 23.
Bethlehem Sculpture Garden: East of City Hall, 10 E. Church St., 6-7:30 p.m. Vern Mobley’s Soul All-Stars, June 19; Jack Murray & The Blue Tarp Wranglers, June 26.
Bethlehem Live in the Garden: Rose Garden, Union Boulevard, 5:30-8:30 p.m.Headzo, The Lo-fi’s, Pollen, June 20; Ms. Honey, William H. Travis, June 27.
Catasauqua Park Amphitheater: 501 American St., 7-10 p.m. Boondock Barons, June 19; GirlCrue, June 26; Castaway Band, July 3; T&T Band, July 17; Brake for Turtles, July 24; Triple Dog Dare, July 31; Video Daze, Aug. 7; Reservoir Hill, Aug. 14; American Street Band, Aug. 21; Steel Creek, Aug. 28; Chelsea Lyn Meyer Band, Sept. 4.
Easton Live at the Falls: Scott Park, 130 Larry Holmes Drive, 6-8:30 p.m. The Hazmats, June 18; Project 9, June 25; Joey Lannigan & The Spirits, July 2; Lucky 7, July 9; Reservoir Hill, July 16; Craig Thatcher Band, July 23; Hector Rosado, July 30; Joyous, Aug. 6; Gruvitune, Aug. 13; The BC Combo, Aug. 20; Lilly Moss & The Steel Ponies, Aug. 27;
Easton Live from Nevin Park: Lafayette Street neat Route 611, 6-8 p.m. Liz Keough Orchestra, June 20; Blue Jacks, July 18; Mike Lorenz Trio, Aug. 15.
Emmaus, Community Park Arts Pavilion: 1401 Shimerville Road, 6-8 p.m. Kutztown Bagpipe Band, June 28; Shaun Lally Band, July 12; Large Flowerheads, July 19; Tookany Creek Bluegrass, Aug. 9; Lucky 7, Aug. 16; Brake for Turtles, Aug. 23; Scott Marshall Band, Aug. 30; Swingtime Dolls, Sept. 6
Emmaus Triangle: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Twelve Strings, June 26; Whiskey Therapy, July 10; Deal Trio, Aug. 7; Alex Buono Band, Aug. 21.
Forks Township Amphitheater: 7-9 p.m. Bobby Clark Band, June 24; The BC Combo, July 8; The Main Street Cruisers, July 22; Easton Municipal Band, July 29; Stevie Vicks Trio, Aug. 12.
Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks: 789 First St., Bethlehem, 7:30 p.m. unless noted. Cinco12, June 18; Eric Ian Farmer & Friends, June 19; The Polkamaniacs (6:7:30 p.m.), June 20; Hunkajunk, June 25; Parker Barrow, July 2; US Army Band, July 3; The Allentown Band (5:30 p.m.), July 4; The BRUCE Show (8:30 p.m.), July 4; Boys Go to Jupiter, July 9; Slap Dragon, July 10; Doc Robinson, July 16; Haggis X-1, July 23; Pepperwine, July 24; Hope Darst, July 25; The Saint Cecelia, Aug. 14; Every Breath You Take: Sting and Police Tribute, Aug. 15; Chuwi, Aug. 20; Craig Thatcher Band, Aug. 27; Reverend Horton Heat, Aug. 28; Judith Hill, Aug. 29; The Psycodelics, Sept. 4; Judy Blank, Sept. 5; Adam Ezra Band, Sept. 6; The Aardvarks, Sept. 11; Los Straitjackets, Sept. 12
Morris J. Dimmick Park: 570 Durham St., Hellertown, 6-8 p.m. The Weekenders, July 19; Gruvitune, Aug. 23.
South Whitehall Township: Covered Bridge Park, River Road and Lapp Road, 7-9 p.m. The Large Flowerheads, July 10; Joyous, Aug. 21.
Upper Saucon Township: Hopewell Park Rose Garden, 4695 W. Hopewell Road, Center Valley, 6:30-8 p.m. The Weekenders, June 19; Island Time, June 26; Galena Brass Band (5-6 p.m.), Concert Band (7:30-9 p.m.), July 11; Scott Marshall Band, July 24; Craig Thatcher Band, Aug. 21.
Whitehall Township: 4689 S. Church St. 6-9 p.m. GirlCrue, June 20; The Aardvarks, July 11; Main Street Cruisers, July 18; Steel Creek, Aug. 8; Toolshed Jack, Aug. 15.
TRAILS AND LINEAR PARKS
Get Your Tail on the Trail is offering a free trail walking program. Vary up your exercise routine and meet new people, learn new things, and experience different areas of the D&L Trail. Here are the scheduled events. Register at tailonthetrail.org.
History Hikes-Bethlehem & Lehigh Canal: 6 p.m. July 7, D&L Sand Island Trailhead, Bethlehem. The walk begins near two sites that were active during the canal era: Fritch Fuel and the Ice House. Adjacent to The Ice House is the remains of Lock 43 and an aqueduct that carried the Lehigh Canal over Monocacy Creek. The walk leader will bring historic photos of this section of the Navigation. The walk will continue eastward along a partially watered section of the Canal, with views of the adjacent Nisky Hill Cemetery and the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces. At the Minsi Trail Bridge there will be a brief description of the origins of its name, and walkers can view two more surviving elements of the Steel, the high house, and LeHi Heavy Forge.
Hike for Health: 5:30-7 p.m. July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 2. Brisk hike at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. Guided monthly hikes are 2 to 3 miles over uneven terrain. You must be able to maintain a hiking pace of two miles per hour to attend. Dogs are welcome to hike on a leash. Meet at the Visitor Center flagpole at 400 Belfast Road. 610-746-2801 or jacobsburgsp@pa.gov.
Downtown Allentown 5K with Inkwell: 9 a.m. Aug. 12, Inkwell, 1125 Hamilton St. 3.1-mile social run around downtown Allentown with Inkwell’s Kyle L. Edwards.
History Hikes-Lehigh Navigation: 10 a.m. Aug. 22, Northampton Canal Park. Begins in the small parking lot in Northampton Canal Park adjacent to the footbridge over the Hokendauqua Creek. Moving downstream, it will feature still-visible elements of the Lehigh Navigation, including an aqueduct, the overgrown canal prism, the outlet lock, and the guardlock 6/feeder gate complex. The route of the walk will pass the North Catasauqua Trail Head, which gives walkers an option for putting a second vehicle near the southern end of the walk route if they do not wish to complete the round trip. Register: tailonthetrail.org
ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS
Allentown Art Museum: offers free admission 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursday. 610-432-4333, allentownartmuseum.org.
Lock Ridge Park and Furnace Museum: 525 Franklin St. Alburtis. The centerpiece of the 59-acre park is the Lock Ridge Furnace. The museum, operated by the Lehigh County Historical Society, offers exhibits illustrating how iron was made over a hundred years ago. Numbered signs allow visitors to take a self-guided tour at any time. Guided tours are offered 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through September. 610-435-1074.
Haines Mill Museum: 3600 Haines Mill Road, Allentown. A grist mill that dates back to the U.S. colonial times. The mill uses water power to grind crop grains into flour. The original mill was built around 1760. The mill was reconstructed in 1909 after a fire gutted the interior of the building and operated until 1956. Tours are available 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through September. Call Lehigh County Historical Society at 610-435-1074.
America On Wheels: in Allentown offers free admission on Thursdays to children ages 12 and under (may be a charge during a special exhibit). americaonwheels.org
C.F. Martin & Co. Guitar Factory and Museum: 510 Sycamore St., Nazareth. Free to walk through the museum, however, visitors are encouraged to offer a $5 donation to the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation. martinguitar.com
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts: and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem offer Free Sundays at the Museum every first Sunday of the month through November. Explore different art techniques and mediums. historicbethlehem.org
Burnside Plantation: 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, offers Saturdays at Burnside, 10 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of each month through October. Visitors will learn more about the “farm in the city” which has been a part of the Moravian community since 1748. Tour the Burnside House and barn and experience colonial cooking demonstrations in the Summer Kitchen. Crafts and interactive activities like story time and hands-on history lessons. historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/saturdays-at-burnside
Lehigh Valley Passport to History: will be hosting Passport to History Month a celebration of the sites, stories, and communities that bring Lehigh Valley history to life. Historic sites will open their doors in July with free admission, tours, activities and programs for all ages. Sites will be open June 26-28. lvhistory.org
Joanne Ritter, a tour guide for Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites, gives a demonstration of Colonial-era cooking during the Blueberry Festival on Saturday July 19, 2025, at the Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
KIDS
Summer Reading Programs: Most libraries offer summer reading programs for children that encourage children to read and enjoy reading by offering rewards, celebrations and prizes. Contact your local library for details.
The City of Bethlehem Recreation Bureau: invites city youth to participate in free summer park program 6-8 p.m. June 15-June 23 at Yosko Park, 6th & Atlantic streets and Friendship Park, 247 N. St. The program includes games, arts and crafts along with presentations from various community organizations and businesses. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by someone 14 or older from their household. bethlehem-pa.gov/events/recreation-events/2026-family-park-program
The city of Allentown’s Summer Playground Program: runs 1-3:30 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, June 22-Aug. 13. The program is facilitated by the city’s Recreation Bureau and offers various recreational and playground activities for Allentown residents ages 7 to 15. Participating children also receive free lunch, which is available Tuesdays through Fridays. Participants are invited to an end of season Romper Day Celebration Aug. 10. Registration for the Summer Playground Program can be done on-site, pre-registration is recommended. allentownparksandrec.com
YMCA Summer Outdoor Programs: River Crossing YMCA Pop-Up & Play activity programs for Easton children, kindergarten-sixth grade, to be part of games, sports, and arts and crafts in public spaces throughout the city. Programs run every week June 16-Aug. 14. Locations include: Centennial Park, 1200 Ferry St., Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-noon; Vanderveer Park, 12th and Spring Garden streets, noon-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; West Ward Market, 10th and Pine St., 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday; Easton Neighborhood Center, 902 Philadelphia Road, 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Register at the Easton branch of the Y, 1225 West Lafayette St. or call 610-258-6158. ymcarivercrossing.org.
Wildlands Conservancy: PreK Pathfinders-Animal Detectives: 10-11 a.m. June 25, Wayne A. Grube Park, 1200 Willowbrook Road, Northampton. Children aged 3-5 and their grown-ups search for animal clues like tracks, feathers, and nests and meet a live animal up close. Registration required. wildlandspa.org.
Wildland Conservancy PreK Pathfinders – Into the Creek: 10-11 a.m. July 7, Trexler Nature Preserve at the Ford. Children ages 3-5 and their grownups discover the world below Jordan Creek, collect and observe small aquatic species that call the water home. Registration required. wildlandspa.org.
Wildlands Conservancy PreK Pathfinders – Creek Explorers: 10-11 a.m. July 30, Wayne A. Grube Park, 1200 Willowbrook Road, Northampton. Children aged 3-5 and their grown-ups connect with nature and discover the world of aquatic life, learn how to collect and observe the tiny creatures that call the Catasauqua creek home. Registration required. wildlandspa.org.
Lockridge Furnace in Alburtis. (Monica Cabrera / The Morning Call )
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
Hoover-Mason Trestle: once used as a narrow-gauge railroad to carry the coke, limestone and iron ore needed to make the iron from the ore yards to the blast furnace is now a public walkway designed to be part-museum, part-community recreation resource and part-attraction. The trestle runs past the vacant industrial buildings and the walkway features benches, landscaping and a self-guided tour with plaques describing how steel was made and the significance of some of the large buildings still standing. The trestle is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.-Wed. and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. steelstacks.org/about/venues-at-steelstacks/hoover-mason-trestle.
Karl Stirner Arts Trail (Easton): The 1.75-mile Karl Stirner Arts Trail winds along the Bushkill Creek, connecting the old Simon Silk Mill on 13th Street to Third Street at the base of the stone stairs linking Lafayette College’s main campus and arts campus. karlstirnerartstrail.org
Take a walk: in Trexler Park, Lehigh Parkway or Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. Hike in Jacobsburg State Park or discover nature during a walk along the Monocacy Creek in Bethlehem from Illick’s Mill Road to Sand Island. Travel the Delaware and Lehigh Corridor to Allentown or Easton and experience the history of the Lehigh Canal. Take a walk on the South Bethlehem Greenway and enjoy Bethlehem’s Southside Arts District.
Trexler Nature Preserve: 5150 Game Preserve Road., Schnecksville. The preserve offers various recreational activities including hiking, walking, jogging, mountain bike riding, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. This 18-mile network of trails includes the 8.5-mile Trexler Border trail which is popular for horseback riding. The well-stocked Jordan Creek is also a popular spot for fishermen. Hours are sunrise to sunset. lehighcounty.org
Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour: showcases seven of the 200 remaining covered bridges in the state of Pennsylvania. Five of the bridges are still open for traffic and the tour stretches over 50 miles. There are plenty of spots to stop for a picnic or hike. The route is marked with red signs on the side of the road. Download a brochure at discoverlehighvalley.com/things-to-do/tours/covered-bridge-tour/
Li’l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery: 2901 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown. Park signage throughout the grounds can be used for self-guided tours. Open 7 a.m. to dusk daily. 610-437-7656.
Fitness in the Park: Fitness opportunities including yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, and walking sessions through Sept. 26 in multiple Allentown city parks. Information and registration at allentownpa.myrec.com.