Events in Allentown today

We Got Your Back Backpack Day marks its fourteenth year with new additions and a variety of activities being planned in collaboration with community partners. Additional updates will share details about the activities, participating partners, and other information as the day approaches.

The Allentown Art Museum presents the launch of Neighborhood Saturdays, celebrating community, creativity, and the cultural energy of the greater Lehigh Valley. Visitors can meet local artists, experience poetry and music, explore the galleries, and enjoy light refreshments in the Museum Lounge. Hands-on ArtVentures in the Crayola Classroom invites participants to try printmaking while learning about symbols from Taino culture across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The program also features a poetry performance by Noble Quills in the Trexler Gallery and Kress Gallery. Families can take part in La Hora de Cuento en español in the Rodale Classroom, along with an English story hour with Veronica Moore. An English tour of the American Galleries begins at the front desk. The Rodale Classroom also hosts an art making workshop with artist Devyn Briggs.

Build community, practice new techniques, and swap miniature artworks at a recurring in-person club centered on Artist Trading Cards, also known as Artist Cards Editions & Originals. This gathering welcomes adults and teens ages 14 and up on the second Saturday of each month. Each meeting begins with a short lesson on a monthly technique for about 15 to 20 minutes, continues with 30 to 45 minutes of making time, and wraps with 30 to 45 minutes of trading and show and tell, with periodic themed swaps or guest demonstrations. Members receive a free starter kit, plus three free cards or a sheet of paper at every meeting. A shared table of supplies is available for use, or participants can bring their own materials. Optional add-ons include $5 packs of extra cards and $5 ephemera packs connected to the month’s technique or theme. Standard ATC bases are precut to 2.5 by 3.5 inches in heavy cardstock or watercolor paper. The shared toolkit may include scissors, glue, double-sided tape, washi tape, stamps, inks, markers, paint, brushes, collage scraps, sealers, and sleeves. Comfort items such as cutting mats, rulers, sample trays, drying racks, and card sleeves support the creative process. A small gallery board or binder pages are available to display recent sets, and optional mini zines, swap envelopes, and mailing labels can support remote trades. House guidelines keep the space welcoming. Cards are made to trade, not sell. Respect the materials and workspace by cleaning up and labeling personal tools. Credit the maker when trading or photographing. Participation in swaps is optional, and show and tell is encouraged without pressure. Inclusive language is expected, and accessibility adjustments are available on request. A typical session includes a brief welcome and announcements, instruction on the month’s technique, a short break with time to tidy, then trading and show and tell before closing with the next theme and sign ups.

ArtVentures offers a free, drop-in experience for all ages. Participants will craft unique prints with paint and crayon while exploring the meaning of Taino symbols in a hands-on workshop.

Now in its ninth year, this back to school giveaway at Bucky Boyle Park helps families prepare for the new school year. Families can bring children to receive assistance with school items. Vendors, sponsors, and volunteers are being accepted for the 2026 back to school event, and vendor opportunities remain available. For details or to get involved, call 484-619-8852 or email info@prculturepreservation.org.

Celebrate community at a family friendly festival in the Grace Church parking lot. Enjoy complimentary food, kid centered activities, face painting, bubbles, and plenty of outdoor play. Lawn games such as cornhole will be available, and there will be opportunities to connect with neighbors and longtime friends. This free community event is open to everyone.

Catch Waterfront Blue live at Musikfest for a jazz cabaret set on the Jazz Cabaret stage in the Artsquest building. The concert runs from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and is free, with comfortable theater seating and air conditioning.

Sam Tinnesz is performing live at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. The show gets started at 4:30 PM local venue time.

Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday share the Wind Creek Steel Stage at Musikfest with special guest The Click Five. Yellowcard returns following a thoughtful farewell, renewed by the momentum of the Ocean Avenue 20th anniversary and a reconciliation that brought all four members back in step. Their first album in nearly a decade, Better Days, arrives on Better Noise Music, produced by Travis Barker, who also plays drums throughout. Centered on gratitude, forgiveness, perspective, and purpose, it marks a powerful new era for William Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Ryan Mendez, and Josh Portman. Veterans of MTV, the Billboard Hot 100, and the Vans Warped Tour, with early releases that yielded double platinum and gold title tracks, the band moves ahead sounding fully reenergized. Taking Back Sunday continues its storied run with 152, the eighth studio album released in late 2023. The ten tracks deliver raw emotion with renewed ambition and clarity. What began as the hope to make one record has grown into millions of albums sold, multiple songs with streams in the hundreds of millions, world-spanning tours, and performances on major festival stages, all while staying focused on music that listeners can see themselves in. The Click Five appears as the special guest.

Lehigh Valley acoustic duo Dynamite Hairdo, featuring Nick Lindsay and Emily Owens, delivers close-knit vocals and stripped-back arrangements with inviting onstage energy. Their set reimagines well loved songs from multiple decades, offering familiar favorites with a fresh twist.

Maria Woodford & The Wheel bring an evening of earthy, soul-steeped live music to Musikfest on the Leiderplatz Stage. Their set blends bluesy grit with folk storytelling, Americana textures, and sparks of improvisation, creating a show that feels timeless yet alive in the moment. Expect commanding vocals, rich musicianship, and an intimate energy that draws listeners in instead of fading into the background. The spirit behind it all is clear... the human voice is sacred, and it deserves to be heard.

The Party Animals bring a playful, high-energy spin to baseball in a matchup with The Firefighters. Look for imaginative on-field stunts, surprise moments, and plenty of fan participation that keep the pace lively regardless of the scoreboard. Hosted at Coca-Cola Park, the experience blends competition with showtime flair, creating an atmosphere that is equal parts ballgame and live performance.

Nite Liters and friends bring vinyl-driven sets to Okatshe in Allentown, shaping a soundtrack that reflects Iron Chef Jose Garces’s vision of a Tokyo izakaya. Performances rotate between solo, duo, and trio formats, with Big Sir, ARM 18, and e-roc among the selectors alongside possible special guests. Look forward to soulful selections, reconnections with familiar faces, and new introductions in an atmosphere where strangers quickly become friends.

This event takes place in the courtyard of the Sun Inn.

inkwell. Run Club 5K Sunday brings together people who run, jog, or walk at any pace for a friendly and encouraging 3.1 mile run centered on community and active living. After the run, participants can enjoy Well Water, inkwell.'s coffee offerings, and mingle with others while light music sets a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. This free inkwell. community event offers an easy way to connect with fellow exercise enthusiasts and make positive, healthy choices together.

Set at Cut The Scrap in Allentown, this one day scrapbook retreat offers a small group experience for adult scrapbookers and beginners. The schedule pairs brief, instructor led lessons with generous open cropping time, and handpicked vintage materials add creative inspiration. A welcoming atmosphere, lively music, and ample table space make it easy to spread out and complete pages. Short demonstrations explore techniques such as layered layout design, photo matting, and decorative stitching, followed by long, uninterrupted stretches to apply what you learn. Instructors move through the room with tips, one on one guidance, and idea prompts so participants leave with finished layouts and new approaches to try. It is a relaxed, social day for makers who want focused time, conversation, and polished pages, along with a refreshed sense of creativity.

This welcoming jam and open mic invites musicians to take part in an easygoing session. Performers can bring their own instruments, and a drum kit and amplifiers are provided. Sign-ups are available for solo acts or full bands. Everyone is welcome, and food and drinks are available.

Triple Dog Dare takes the stage at The Steel Pub for a Musikfest finale featuring a blend of classic rock and dance rock, paired with great food, drinks, and a fireworks show. The set includes brand new additions alongside past TDD favorites, all geared toward keeping the dance floor moving.

An outdoor punk showcase takes over the alley outside Homebase Skateshop as Tape Swap Radio teams up with the shop for a stacked lineup. The bill includes The Holy Mess, longtime eastern Pennsylvania punk veterans, Incendiary Device delivering NYHC intensity with a connection to Bridge Nine Records, and Pipe Snake, the Valley’s newest scuzzy upstarts. The entire show will be recorded for a video release. Food and drinks will be available courtesy of Deja Brew, vendors will be on hand, and there will be a chance to browse Homebase’s wares. In case of rain, the bands will perform inside the shop.

AJR performs at the Wind Creek Steel Stage at Musikfest. The trio of brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan has amassed billions of streams since 2012 and earned milestones that include a triple platinum single, a double platinum single, four additional platinum singles, and a platinum album. Neotheater delivered their strongest debut to date, entering the Billboard 200 at number 8 and reaching number 1 on both the Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts. Their music has drawn broad recognition, with Sober Up featuring Rivers Cuomo named among Spotify’s best rock songs of the 2010s and Weak highlighted by Apple Music as one of the decade’s standout alternative tracks, and they rank among Spotify’s 500 most-listened-to artists. In 2020 they released Bang!, a platinum hit that became their first Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 while climbing across multiple radio formats. Their latest album, The Maybe Man, arrived in 2023, built around a larger than life, introspective hero whose heavy feelings aim to lift the weight from listeners. On stage, Adam plays bass and sings, Jack sings and plays guitar, and Ryan performs on ukulele, piano, and vocals. Gate and show schedules may change.

Closing night at Musikfest brings a performance at Musikfest Café in a beautiful, air-conditioned room with views of the historic Bethlehem Steel Blast Furnaces. Fireworks follow afterward.

Designed for students in grades 3 through 8, this makerspace woodshop offers hands-on woodworking with actual tools. Participants plan and assemble wooden projects while building craftsmanship and strengthening creative problem-solving skills.

Geared toward grades 2 through 6, this modern band camp is open to beginners as well as more experienced young musicians. Students rehearse together, perform on real instruments, and collaborate as an ensemble. The session takes participants from the first group practice to a culminating performance, encouraging growth and confidence as musicians.

Start the week with a calming reset through a weekly massage special focused on mindfulness and self-care. Swedish massage is offered at a simple rate of one dollar per minute, with options for 60, 90, or 120 minutes priced at $60, $90, and $120. This experience aims to ease muscle tension, support circulation, and create space for well-earned downtime. Sessions take place at Sightless Therapeutic Massage and are by appointment only, with no walk-ins accepted. Availability is limited. For details or scheduling, text or call 484-640-2839 or email sightless.therapeutic.massage@gmail.com.

A week-long camp from the Emergency Medicine Institute welcomes motivated teens ages 13 to 17 who want to explore pathways in health and public safety. The program blends personal wellness, professional readiness, and essential skills for working in these fields. Participants connect with a wide range of professionals, including fire and police personnel, EMS, K9 teams, wilderness medicine specialists, physicians, and nurses. They also tour hospital departments such as the Emergency Department and Trauma Bay for an inside view of emergency care. By the end of the week, every camper earns American Heart Association CPR and First Aid credentials as well as Stop the Bleed certification. The experience also builds practical life and business skills, and each teen gives a five-minute presentation to peers on a health or public safety topic. The registration fee is $200 and includes a camp T-shirt, a light breakfast each day, and the listed certifications.

At Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown, this hands-on camp invites students to craft a ukulele from a kit and learn to play it. Guidance covers proper hand position, strumming, chords, rhythm, and essential music theory, along with a variety of songs to sing and play. Across the week, each participant assembles, paints, strings, and tunes a personal instrument. Those who wish can share what they have learned with a family-and-friends performance on the final day. All instruments, kits, and materials are provided.

Music Mondays invite littles age 5 and under and their parents or caregivers to enjoy a music-focused program. The event runs from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM upstairs in the Children’s Department.

At Bethlehem Municipal Golf Club, the Walla Gazoo Golf Tournament brings together a field of 132 participants, including business executives, community members, and golf enthusiasts, for an annual day on the course filled with friendly competition, good food, and prizes. The day begins with check-in and a hotdog lunch, followed by a shotgun start. In the evening, a backyard barbecue with live entertainment features raffle tables and the announcement of on-course winners. Sponsorships and packages are available, and each sponsorship includes greens fees, carts, lunch, dinner, and beers. Raffle prizes are awarded during the backyard barbecue. For details, contact Evelyn at EvelynC@LehighValleyChamber.org. No refunds available.

A new improv comedy series from inkwell. aims to strengthen the local scene with an open, collaborative format. Hosted by comedian and improv devotee Andy Pollack, this bi-weekly gathering welcomes performers, improvisers, and curious spectators into a space where quick thinking and teamwork lead the way. Each edition unfolds through rapid-fire games, surprising situations, and one-time-only moments created entirely on the spot. Whether stepping into the spotlight or taking it all in from your seat, the focus is on showing up, trusting your instincts, and building on every idea with a yes and mindset. Admission is $10 for guests, and artists contribute what they can to support the arts.

Make Me Laugh Mondays at inkwell is a comedy open mic that highlights comics from the area and beyond in Allentown. Performers can sign up on site, then take the stage to share new bits and big laughs with a supportive crowd. Launched in 2024 as a small meetup, it has grown into a popular showcase. Admission is $10 for non-performers. Each month, a fan favorite earns a spot at a future ticketed show with cash prizes, turning laughter into a stepping stone for the next standout act.

Designed for ages 13 to 17, this Teen 1st Responder Camp at the Emergency Medicine Institute is for those interested in careers in healthcare or the first responder field. Participants connect with professionals from fire and police departments, EMS teams, K9 units, and wilderness medicine, as well as physicians and nurses, and they explore hospital operations with tours of areas such as the emergency department and trauma bay. Every camper earns American Heart Association CPR/First Aid and Stop the Bleed certifications while also building life and business skills over the week. Each teen prepares and presents a five minute talk to fellow campers on a health or public safety topic, and family members are welcome on the final day to watch. The fee is $200 and includes a camp T-shirt, a light breakfast each day, and the listed certifications. Registration is limited.

Cali Burrito teams up with the Bananarama food truck for a weekly dinner-and-dessert pairing. Bananarama serves banana whip sundaes made by freezing ripe organic bananas and whipping them into a soft-serve style treat that is cool, light, and naturally sweet. Choose creations like Strawberry Shortcake, Piña Colada, Cherry Pie, Sweet n Salty, Gimme S’More, and Peanut Butter Cup Crunch, or build your own with a lineup of dairy-free toppings, including gluten-free options. Enjoy a meal at the venue, take dinner home, or grab dessert to go. In case of inclement weather, check Bananarama’s social media to confirm service.

Each Tuesday at Menchie's Airport Center, Family Fun Nights offer $3 kids cups for ages 12 and under, appearances by guest authors and local community members, hands-on arts and crafts, games, and prizes. Information about featured guests and the dates they will appear is provided in advance.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs face the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Coca-Cola Park in a matchup that also benefits Linda Ann's Greyhound Adoption. Tickets purchased through the designated fundraiser link direct a $6 donation to Linda Ann's and include $2 in ballpark credit that can be used for food, drinks, or merchandise at the team store.

Shanty on 19th in Allentown hosts an open jam that is typically led by the Benny Band, with Bill Medei stepping in as guest host from time to time.

Enjoy an open air reading as a local author shares passages from their own book in an Allentown park. Bring a chair or blanket, along with a snack and something to drink, and settle in to hear the story told in the author’s voice. If you already have the book, bring it for signing. Copies will also be available for purchase at the event for $17.

Tail Wagging Tuesday brings canines and baseball together at Coca-Cola Park as Freedom First Rescue teams up with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a dog friendly night at the ballpark. The IronPigs face the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders while fans enjoy the game and classic ballpark snacks alongside their pups. Every ticket purchased through the designated fundraiser link contributes $6 to Freedom First Rescue, helping support dogs seeking forever homes. Freedom First Rescue is a 501c3 with PA Kennel License #17625.

Toadies, Local H, and Olive Vox are taking the stage for a live rock show at Archer Music Hall in Allentown. The performance starts at 7:00 PM.

Centered on Velma Gratch & the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison, this program follows a first grader who visits a butterfly conservatory and, with the help of a monarch, discovers that she matters. Participants will make a butterfly to take home as a reminder of their own uniqueness. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

Allentown’s Back to School BASH 2026 brings the community together for a spirited kickoff to the new academic year at Cedar Beach Park. Organized by the Allentown School District, the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Allentown, and presented by McClure Company, this free celebration features live music, interactive activities, games with prizes, and entertainment for all ages. Food trucks and community organizations will be on site, creating a lively setting to discover resources, enjoy great eats, and share school pride with family and friends. Designed to celebrate students and support families, it offers an upbeat experience filled with connection, energy, and plenty to do from beginning to end. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Officers Stokes and Rodriguez of the City of Bethlehem Police Department present a lively bilingual retelling of The Wizard of Oz, with English and Spanish shared together. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz | El Mago de Oz by Carol Ottolenghi, the tale follows Dorothy along with the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Woodsman on their journey. After the story, participants can make a special craft to remember this timeless adventure. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

Educators are the focus of this exclusive in-store event, with the shop reserved just for librarians, teachers, and administrators from K-12 and college. Guests can enjoy refreshments, educator-only discounts with some especially deep savings, giveaways, and materials to take home. Information will be available about Authors to Schools and how schools can participate, recommendations for local authors who offer paid school visits, and the school purchase program that provides discounts and tax-free purchasing with the local independent bookstore. Details on the Lehigh Valley Book Festival and ways for classes to get involved will also be shared. A meet and greet features Victoria Jamieson, a National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honor Award-winning author and illustrator. Tickets are $10 per person and include a $10 store credit redeemable during the event.

Settle in for trivia paired with $1 oysters and 75 cent wings. Drink specials are available.

Cut The Scrap hosts a relaxed, hands-on workshop where teens ages 13 to 17 create a personal junk journal using found paper, ephemera, and mixed media materials. Participants learn how to build pages, add pockets and tucks, try decorative stitching, and explore collage techniques, then head home with a completed mini journal and new ideas to keep making. Instructors guide each step while encouraging individual style, so no two journals are alike. The setting is social and beginner friendly, with upbeat music, tactile supplies, and plenty of time to personalize pages with stickers, stamps, and vintage paper. This is a monthly session. The cost is $15 per participant, and space is limited.

Join Strive Networking for an in-person engineering and business networking event at Sports & Social in Allentown. It’s a 21+ event with limited tickets, designed for both newcomers and established professionals. You can meet consultants, analysts, engineers, and people from multiple industries, and come ready with business cards and an open mind. Name tags will be provided, and the dress code is business casual or job-fair attire.

Enjoy a classic afternoon tea that evokes the elegance of 19th-century grand estates, presented as a relaxed and unhurried ritual. The price is $45 per person.

This knitting class is designed for kids, offering an introduction to the basics for beginners while more experienced young knitters can dive into new projects with guidance from Marilyn, who has plenty of ideas. Please bring size 8 needles for the first session, or purchase them at The Knitter's Edge for $8.49. The fee is $10, payable in cash. To reserve a spot, call 610-419-9276.

This monthly storytelling gathering from inkwell. brings stories to life and fosters community in an intimate, human way. More than a typical open mic, the evening centers on attentive presence, honest vulnerability, laughter, and genuine connection, all while celebrating storytelling in many forms. Each edition highlights a different featured storyteller. Each month, the well becomes a warm, encouraging setting where every voice is respected and tales of every tone, from deeply personal to playful, reflective, or imaginative, are welcomed without judgment. Attendees may step up to share their truth or simply settle in and listen as tellers guide journeys that show the power of words. Seasoned storytellers, first-time sharers, and those who simply enjoy a good story are all welcome at the well. People come for the stories, stay for the connections, and often leave uplifted by a shared experience, one word, one voice, one moment at a time.

Karaoke Night with DJ PK at Shanty On 19th invites singers of every level to take the spotlight. Step up to the mic for crowd-pleasing favorites in a lively setting that cheers on every performance. Expect an upbeat atmosphere, cold drinks, tasty food, and plenty of feel-good energy from start to finish.