Entertainment News

Easton's Heritage Day will feature the beloved fireworks display, officials confirmed Thursday, with other new festivities planned.

Bethlehem Barrel and Drafthouse, a restaurant set to be operated by Aramark Sports + Entertainment, is slated to open in summer 2025 at The Outlets at Wind Creek, it was announced Thursday.

Sporting "Eras" tour outfits, friendship bracelets, and glittery makeup, hundreds of Swifties turned out to the shopping center's celebration and tribute to the pop singer.

Comedian John Mulaney, who for six years was a writer on “Saturday Night Live” and starred in the short-lived FOX-TV series “Mulaney,” will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 20. Vocal duo Air Supply, best known for its 1980 No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart hit "Lost in Love," will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 18. And "Miracle on 34th Street, the Musical," will offer eight performances Dec. 10-14.

Bachman Turner Overdrive, or B.T.O., which founder Randy Bachman revived in honor of its 50th anniversary in 2023, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 23.

One of Easton's biggest events, Heritage Day, celebrates the city's role in the reading of the Declaration of Independence. For this year, it has been moved to Saturday, July 12, instead of on Sunday when traditionally held.

Alice Cooper, who has had 10 Top 40 albums and 11 Top 40 singles, including “School’s Out,” “Elected” and “Only Women Bleed,” will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 16.

The documentary "Rooted" features interviews and videos with the founders of Bethlehem's arts community. It will premiere at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, at Zoellner Arts Center.

The band plays Allentown's Archer Music Hall with co-headliner Static-X at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12. General admission standing tickets, at $56.50 each, remain available.

The film festival now in its 21st year will feature more than 80 films and shorts. Presented by the SouthSide Arts District, the festival runs from Tuesday, June 10, to Sunday, June 15.

World Xtreme Wrestling is set to relaunch in Allentown, returning to Mountainville Memorial Hall, the longtime base of the promotion founded by the late WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoaʻi Sr.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Patty Griffin and Canadian singer Kathleen Edwards will perform a show July 16 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem. Tickets fo on sale at noon Friday, April 17.

Now that Musikfest has completed the announcements of the headliners on its main Steel Stage, the festival still has to reveal the wide offerings on the festival's 15 free stages.

The Struts, whose style recalls bands such as The Rolling Stones and Queen and who has had the hits “Could Have Been Me” and “Kiss This,” will perform at 7 p.m. June 28 at Archer Music Hall, it was announced Monday.

Jesse Royal, a Jamaican who blends traditional roots reggae with modern influences and socially conscious lyrics, will perform at the July 11 festival on the SteelStacks campus. Royal will be among more than a dozen acts across three stages scheduled for the festival, set for noon-1:30 a.m.

Brian Regan, who has starred in several Comedy Central specials and refrains from profanity and off-color humor, will play State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, the venue announced. And Lewis Black, known for his cantankerous comedic style and also as an author, playwright, social critic and actor, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9.

Jessica Simpson, known for her 1999 platinum single "I Wanna Love You Forever," as well as for starring in the MTV reality show "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" with her husband, singer Nick Lachey, will perform at 8 p.m. June 11.

ArtsQuest announced Thursday it will transform its campus at SteelStacks into "the Lehigh Valley’s premier soccer destination" June 11-July 19.

The Major Arena Soccer League announced Thursday that league owners have approved a team for Allentown.

Zach Top, who in just two years has had four gold or platinum songs and is best known for his 2024 double-platinum hit "I Never Lie," will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 21, the venue announced.

The May 22 show will kick off five monthly concerts in the second year of free, family-friendly series "with an expanded and diverse lineup designed to bring the community together through live music, culture and shared experiences in the heart of Allentown," presenter ArtsQuest said in a release.

Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival will return, reimagined as Red, White & Blues for 2026, from noon-8 p.m. June 13 in downtown Allentown.