It’s a new year, and 2026 brings you a new feature in Go Guide: your best bets for weekend fun.
From outdoor adventures to family-friendly fun, Best Bets is your place to find entertainment to fill your weekend.
Here’s what’s happening in the Lehigh Valley this weekend.
Start the new year with a hike
What better way to kick off your new year’s resolution to get fit with a hike? Every year, Pennsylvania state parks and other organizations host “First Day Hikes” at locations throughout the state.
The Wildlands Conservancy invites hikers to its First Day Hike at Black River Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday. Take a rejuvenating, guided trek through the scenic winter landscape, where you’ll learn about land preservation, winter ecology and may even spot some seasonal wildlife. Then, toast to 2026 atop the mountain with a mocktail or Zekraft coffee.
Park at the Franko Park Recreation Area lot, 1339 Black River Road, Allentown.
First Day Hikes also are planned at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Beltzville State Park and Delaware Canal State Park. Visit events.dcnr.pa.gov/ for info and registration.
Celebrate the holidays one last time
Christmas may be over, but there’s still time to enjoy some holiday cheer.
The 20th annual Trees of Historic Bethlehem remains open through Jan. 11. Celebrate the season with 21 fan favorites from the past 20 years, including Waterworks, Valentino, Bees and Dolce & Gabanna.
Included in your admission is the new exhibit Baked Into Bethlehem, which examines the city’s baking history, from Moravian sugar cakes to artisanal cookies.
Tickets for Trees of Historic Bethlehem are on sale at historicbethlehem.org/Christmas and include admission to the Kemerer Museum of Decorate Arts, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem and Single Sisters’ House. Tours are self-guided (it’ll take at least an hour to view all the trees), and attendees receive a pamphlet providing an overview of each tree. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $23 for teachers and active military/veterans, and $14 for children ages 4 and older. Children ages 3 and under are free.
Baked Into Bethlehem continues through July.
The Miracle on 34rth Street tree is seen Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem in the Single Sisters’ House in Bethlehem during the “Trees of Historic Bethlehem” exhibition. The show, presented by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, is back for the 2025 holiday season with a collection of the top Christmas trees and themes of the past 20 years. It runs through Jan. 11. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
For families with little ones, Crayola Experience in Easton continues celebrating a Colorful Christmas through Jan. 5. Explore the new Model Magic Movie Studios, where kids can design, shape and mold their custom creature with Model Magic, then put their creation center stage in a mini digital episode of the animated series “Crayola Crew.” Also create pop-up greeting cards, paint holiday ornaments, listen to songs from Edwin the Snowman and Forest Green and participate in a holiday scavenger hunt, among other holiday fun.
Buy tickets at crayolaexperience.com
Three Kings Day
Join in celebrations of El Dia de los Reyes, the Latin American religious and cultural tradition, at two events this week.
From 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, ArtsQuest will celebrate Three Kings Day at SteelStacks with a variety of fun-filled activities, including arts and crafts, a visit with Einstein the Snow Camel, live music and delicious food for purchase from Holy Infancy Church. Toys will be distributed by Allentown’s Marine Toy for Tots division.
Playing a king Ricardo Quiles hands a present to Isaias, 7, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, during a Three Kings Day celebration at Lights in the Parkway in Allentown. Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, commemorates the magi’s visit to the baby Jesus. It’s celebrated Jan. 6, but the local celebration was delayed because of Monday’s snow.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Then, from 5:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, Allentown Parks and Recreation will celebrate Three Kings Day at Lights in the Parkway. The event includes a live nativity scene, music and entertainment, gifts and treats, vendors and a parranda processional. Free shuttles will run from the Fire Academy parking lot at 1902 Lehigh Street to the Lights entrance.
Do you have an event you’d like considered for Best Bets? Email us at goguide@mcall.com.