Events in State College, PA

Friendly service accompanies a menu that lets guests build a personalized Polish Combo, alongside options that include a kolbassi sandwich, club sandwich, grilled Cuban sandwich, falafel bowl, pepperoni rolls, homemade pierogi, and salmon burgers.

Tusk brings the music of Fleetwood Mac to life with a focus on accuracy and respect. The five-piece recreates the band’s signature sound through meticulous, true-to-record performances without gimmicks, letting the songs speak for themselves. Presented as the premier tribute to Fleetwood Mac, the show captures the nuances and textures that helped make the group one of the world’s best loved and top-selling acts. It is a faithful, detail-driven tribute that mirrors the originals as closely as possible.

An exclusive cocktail reception at Hyatt Place State College celebrates the official launch of Scholar Hospitality Holdings and highlights a chance to participate in hospitality investment across Happy Valley and beyond. Hosted by Gary Brandeis, CEO of Scholar Hotels and Founding Partner of Scholar Hospitality Holdings, the gathering brings together community leaders, business professionals, friends of Scholar Hotels, and prospective investors for an inside look at the company’s vision. Guests can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while learning about the current portfolio of Scholar Hotels properties, the strategy for building long term value through hospitality real estate, and the benefits of the Scholar Owners Club available to investors. Attendees will have opportunities to meet the team, ask questions, and connect with members of the Happy Valley community. RSVP is requested to reserve a place. Limited rooms are available at a rate of $129.

At the Barbara and Lee Maimon Teaching Gallery on Level 2, an interdisciplinary conversation centers on the special exhibition America Works. The conversation includes faculty curators and professors Kate Ragon, Carla Lima Aranzaes, and Arthur Matthews from Penn State’s School of Labor and Employment Relations in the College of the Liberal Arts.

A Tale Of Two weaves Americana roots and blues tones with classic Southern storytelling. The duo features award-winning vocalist Stephanie Adlington and guitarist Aaron Lessard, taking cues from Tom Waits, Ray LaMontagne, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams Sr. Their songs lean into tales of revenge, hard drinking, and sinners of many kinds, delivered with soulful grit. Onstage they bring easy chemistry and quick-witted exchanges between numbers, shaping a swamp-tinged, retro-minded set. They have also opened for Mary Gauthier, Grayson Capps, and Peter Mulvey.

This FREE event is packed full of hands-on, choose-your-own adventure learning including interactive booths designed to teach the littles about future careers and possibilities in STEM. From educators and makers to nonprofits and industry professionals, it's the perfect day-time activity for kiddos age 10-14.

This women-centered coffee chat at Good Day Cafe offers a relaxed setting to slow down, meet others, and build genuine connections over coffee. It is open to everyone and encourages conversation and community in a warm, low pressure atmosphere.

Discover the easygoing energy of downtown State College during the monthly First Friday series. Spend the evening browsing art, people-watching, catching up with friends, shopping, and tasting your way through a variety of local restaurants. Many galleries and stores stay open later than usual, offering complimentary nibbles and drinks, live music and other performances, plus specials at retailers and eateries. Parking is free in the Pugh, Fraser, and Beaver garages with validation from participating merchants. This community tradition runs from April through December.

Since 1992, Splintered Sunlight has honored the music of the Grateful Dead with an authentic, improvisation-focused tribute. The band features a two-drummer setup and Butchy Sochorow on lead guitar, blending expressive playing with a vocal style reminiscent of Jerry Garcia. A dedicated following comes for imaginative performances and set lists that shift from show to show, capturing the exploratory spirit of the Dead.

Central Conference #3 brings the Harvest Fields Frenzy together with a celebration of the season’s achievements, featuring the Conference Series awards presented at the event. It is noted as the thirteenth event in Pit Zone. Climb Nittany is offering a $9 option that includes equipment and a day pass on Friday and Saturday when you mention PICL.

Step up for local EMS at an October 5k run and walk designed as a lively community gathering. Friends and families are welcome to participate. Those who register by August 1 receive the best pricing. FalconTiming will be on site to record each accomplishment.

This event centers on playing bingo with a gun theme. It provides a straightforward, themed game experience.

A tentative reunion show is planned at Cafe 210 West in State College, Pennsylvania. The lineup features Matthew Taglang on vocals, Jimmy Cochran on guitar, David Featherman on bass, and Steve Braksator on drums, with a set centered on alternative music from the 1980s and early 1990s.

Get a head start on holiday mailings with an in-person Santa’s Card Factory class devoted to handmade greetings. Each session walks you through 12 cards, three each of four coordinated designs, with envelopes provided. Please bring your preferred adhesive. New designs are introduced every month from August through December, and completing the full series adds up to 60 finished cards suitable for sending or gifting. The class runs in an open house format so you can work at your own pace, and planning two to three hours is recommended to complete your set.

Andy Tolins and JT Thompson bring cool blues and jazz to Sunday brunch at Webster's Bookstore & Cafe, continuing a first-Sunday-of-the-month tradition.

Enjoy lunch at Gigi's Southern Table with live music from an acoustic trio setting a relaxed atmosphere. To ensure a spot, consider reserving a table in advance.

This ukulele jam takes place in the Community Room at Nittany Mall and welcomes all ages and skill levels for a two-hour session. The first half hour is devoted to new and beginning players for extra support. Ukuleles are available to borrow, and the three Jumpin' Jim's Daily Ukulele songbooks will be on hand to use during the jam. Participants may bring copies of a new song if they would like to introduce one or two. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Jim at jsu@psu.edu, and the jam may be canceled if there are not enough RSVPs.

From Bogotá, Colombia, Chúpame El Dedo brings together Eblis Álvarez of Meridian Brothers and Pedro Ojeda of Romperayo in a genre-warping project. Their music dismantles the textures of grindcore and black metal, then fuses them with the pulse of salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton. Expect rapid-fire drums, playful turbulence, and sharp stylistic turns, all channeled through a fiercely tropical sound.

This mixer brings together Centre County filmmakers, actors, writers, crew, marketers, and other creatives to network, share insights, and explore collaborations on film races, festivals, script readings, and short films. The regular gathering now takes place at 3 Dots, while workshops on the third Tuesday continue at Webster's.

The next meeting takes place at the State College Borough Building. It begins with the main session and continues with an executive session afterward. A virtual option is available through Zoom.

Line dancing takes over Axemann Brewery with Lion Country Line Dancing leading the fun. The session includes instruction and time for open dancing, and it welcomes dancers of every experience level. This gathering is part of a monthly series held on the second Thursday of each month.

Marking 65 years of comedy, The Second City brings The Best of The Second City to The State Theatre in State College. This fast paced performance blends the troupe’s hallmark improvisation with witty songs, memorable characters, and crowd favorites drawn from a deep archive, all refreshed by today’s cast. The company’s stages have helped launch talents such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Keegan Michael Key, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and Catherine O’Hara. Expect a lively showcase that celebrates a legacy shaping generations of comedians.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and Grammy-nominated record producer Garrison Starr takes the spotlight with a body of work shaped by resilience and hard-won clarity. Her forthcoming full-length, Garrison Starr and The Gospel Truth, extends the path she opened with 2021’s Girl I Used To Be, shifting from farewell and deconstruction toward healing, self-acceptance, and freedom. In the lead-up she has released new singles, and her music has been featured on television series including Monarch, Bull, and Walker: Independence. Over the years she has collaborated in the studio and on tour with Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Glen Phillips, Jason Isbell, and the Indigo Girls, earning respect for a voice that cuts to the core and songs that speak with unguarded honesty.

The third annual Boalsburg Renaissance Faire at the Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum features costumed reenactors with engaging demonstrations, hearty Renaissance-style fare, majestic horses with the playful possibility of a unicorn, a castle bounce house, lively music and dance, and a wide range of artisans and crafters. Visitors can also explore the European roots of the Boal family that inspire this history-rich celebration. Admission is $10 per person, and children 5 and under are free. All proceeds benefit the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum.

An event featuring Weird Al Yankovic will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA.

Maternal mental health concerns affect many families and communities, and according to the CDC they are the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. This support group at Schlow Centre Region Library provides a welcoming, judgment free space for postpartum mothers to connect, find community, and speak openly about life after birth. It supports those navigating sleepless nights, identity shifts, feeding challenges, and the emotional highs and lows that can follow delivery. Babies are welcome, and siblings ages 5 and under may attend as well.

Griffin House brings a storyteller’s touch to heartfelt, melodic songwriting, drawing on more than two decades of touring and a catalog of more than 13 albums. His debut, Lost and Found, drew early national attention when it was spotlighted on CBS Sunday Morning by music critic and MTV/VH1 executive Bill Flanagan, who recognized him as a standout emerging songwriter. Years of grassroots road work, including opening stints for John Mellencamp and the Cranberries, led to a national headlining breakthrough after an appearance on Late Night with Craig Ferguson and the buzz of the single The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is Out of His Mind. His path has been documented in the film Rising Star, which follows life on the road alongside marriage, parenthood, and sobriety. House’s songs have reached wide audiences through placements on One Tree Hill, Rescue Me, Party of Five, and Everwood, with coverage in outlets such as Paste, No Depression, and Rolling Stone, and praise from American Songwriter for his raw talent. His most recent project, The Tides, is a five song EP created with Grammy Award winning producer Jacquire King.

At the farmers market, the ACRES Project serves as a vendor, connecting with community members, sharing information about its programs, and offering items created through those programs. The market setting supports local growers, makers, and community organizations while giving visitors a chance to discover what the community offers. Visitors can stop by the ACRES Project booth to ask questions, learn about available opportunities, and explore program-created products.

Author and Penn State professor Dr. Matthew Restall shares the many faces of Christopher Columbus in a book talk that separates legend from evidence and explores the stories of the nine Columbuses. Drawing on sources from multiple nations and languages across five centuries, he examines the manufactured mysteries that still shape perceptions of Columbus, from his name and origins to his education, faith, intellectual aims, character, sexuality, and even his final resting place. The talk also considers how a 19th century American hero was crafted, alongside a parallel Italian American icon, and portrays Columbus not as a singular prodigy but as a typical figure of Iberian and northern Italian maritime culture, a merchant mariner who later operated as explorer, slave trader, and conquistador settler. Restall questions the idea that one person can be solely credited or blamed for everything that followed 1492, aiming to clarify how to understand Columbus and his legacies today. Restall will discuss the book, lead a Q&A, and sign copies in the Boal Mansion ballroom. The Columbus and Boal family histories are closely connected, adding context to the setting. A $15 donation per person will be accepted at the door to support historical preservation at the Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Embark on a Halloween themed stroll through State College that begins at Centre LGBT+ and winds past participating businesses for trick or treating and a town-wide scavenger hunt. The path leads to Sidney Friedman Park, where a DJ sets a spooky soundtrack and activities include pumpkin carving, tarot readings, and more. The festivities conclude with a costume parade and a choreographed group dance led by Elaine Wilgus from Webster's.

Take part in the RRR Walk, Run, Roll by navigating the Pennsylvania Military Museum grounds or by participating virtually from home in whatever way works for you. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. Funds raised by Rowe’s Research Runners directly support Dr. Peter Rowe’s research at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Related Disorders Clinic. The in-person experience features Classic Cones with Penn State Creamery ice cream, face painting by Faces and Spaces Artistry, Fraser Street Saxes, and Alliance of Heroic Hearts. Participants are encouraged to share photos on social media and tag Rowe’s Research Runners.

The Brothers Comatose deliver a high-energy West Coast roots sound that blends traditional string instruments with a rock and roll spark. Their latest release, Golden Grass, created with Greg Holden and Tim Bluhm, ranges from sunlit ease to rugged drive, featuring earthy arrangements, layered harmonies, and the pulse of guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and upright bass. It is the first recording to include newest member Addie Levy while staying true to the group’s well-defined identity. Formed in San Francisco by brothers Ben and Alex Morrison in 2008, the band introduced themselves with the 2010 debut Songs From The Stoop and followed with five additional full-length albums and nearly 50 million streams. Their résumé includes festival appearances at Outside Lands, High Sierra, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, dates with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Greensky Bluegrass, and Trampled By Turtles, and tours with Lake Street Dive, The Devil Makes Three, and Yonder Mountain String Band. Known for lively performances and tight-knit camaraderie, the quintet brings driving strings and soaring vocals to the stage.

The second annual festival celebrating fiber, farming, and the arts takes place at Titan Market in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Prospective vendors can send a private message to request an application.

Bizarre Bazaar brings a spooky marketplace to Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte. Organizers are accepting applications from makers, artists, and other vendors who want to be part of the event. A standard 10x10 booth is $95, and preference is given to sellers with a consistent track record who have not canceled at past events.

Celebrate the newest Sarah J Mass release with a party featuring on-theme activities, refreshments, and other extras. To secure a copy, a prepaid book reservation is required. Members who reserve in advance will receive an additional $10 reward in their account. More details will be shared as the event approaches. Swag and freebies will be distributed in the order of signups, with raffles handled separately. There are no exclusive editions available at this time. For questions or to arrange a reservation, please contact the store.

Experience a soothing yoga practice centered on breathing and the essentials at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Designed for both newcomers and long-time practitioners, this class blends practical movement with mindful awareness and provides unhurried time for restorative relaxation. Please bring your own mat. A beach towel or similar and yoga blocks are encouraged if you have them, and a limited number of blocks will be available to borrow during class. Two sessions are offered, with a discount available when signing up for both.

Downtown State College comes alive for this monthly First Friday series, offering a relaxed evening of art, people watching, catching up with friends, browsing shops, and enjoying the variety of local dining. Expect extended evening hours at galleries and shops, complimentary bites and beverages, live performances and music, and specials at retailers and restaurants. Parking is free in the Pugh, Fraser, and Beaver garages when validated by participating merchants. The series runs from April through December.

Conner Gilbert returns to J.L. Farm and Cidery for a live acoustic performance at 814 Cider Works in State College. This appearance brings his unplugged sound to the cidery.

Enjoy lunch accompanied by live music from an acoustic trio. Advance table reservations are recommended.

Heart of Fashion 2026 transforms Brass 16823 into a celebration of style, shopping, and community support. Explore offerings from more than 20 boutique vendors featuring apparel, home goods, and accessories. Enjoy cocktails crafted by Drinks by Design and savor hors d’oeuvres from Graze by TJ. A spotlight runway show highlights the latest looks, rounding out an evening focused on fashion and connection. The event supports Tides and its grief support programs in the community. Further details about tickets and featured vendors will be shared by the organizers.

Led by Shaver’s Creek staff member Alexa Sarussi, this free in-person nature journaling program focuses on ochre, a natural earth pigment long used by people. With guidance from staff from the Center for Virtual/Material Studies, participants will examine how ochre is found and processed, compare historical and contemporary extraction methods, and then follow the steps to produce the pigment together. The Center for Virtual/Material Studies is a university-based research hub within a Department of Art History that investigates the material qualities of historical objects and explores virtual ways of communicating that material knowledge, encouraging hands-on engagement and collaboration across disciplines. Open to individuals and families of all ages. Parents are encouraged to bring children who are genuinely interested in nature drawing and should supervise them. Minors must attend with a participating adult. Advance registration is requested.

Downtown State College comes alive during the monthly First Friday series. Expect a laid back scene with art, friendly crowds, time with friends, browsing local shops, and dining across a variety of restaurants. Galleries and stores stay open beyond regular hours, offering complimentary snacks and beverages, live music and other entertainment, and special offers from retailers and eateries. Free parking is available in the Pugh, Fraser, and Beaver garages with validation from participating merchants. The series runs April through December.

At The Penn Stater, Centre County United Way hosts an evening that spotlights local cuisine, area businesses, and the community spirit that defines Centre County. For over a decade, this gathering has welcomed hundreds to taste signature dishes from nearby restaurants while supporting programs that improve lives across the region. As the organization’s flagship annual fundraiser, proceeds are directed to initiatives that advance healthy communities, expand opportunities for youth, bolster financial stability, and strengthen community resiliency. Attendees can anticipate tastings from local restaurants and culinary partners, guest-voted culinary contests, an auction with prize opportunities, and time to connect with community partners. The 2026 edition introduces fresh experiences and enhancements. Whether participating as an attendee, volunteer, sponsor, donor, or restaurant partner, every role contributes to meaningful impact for local individuals and families. Look for updates highlighting volunteer needs, participating restaurants, sponsor features, and auction previews as the event approaches.