Arts & Culture

"Trees of Historic Bethlehem," celebrating 20 years this holiday season, features two decades of its fan-favorite Christmas trees on display through Sunday, Jan. 11.

Hopelessly Devoted to You, a tribute to Olivia Newton-John, one of the best-selling female artists of all time, will play Wind Creek Event Center on March 13. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19.

The new facility would add to the recent renaissance for arts in downtown Allentown.

Cast, crew, students and community gathered at the Univest Public Media Center, home to Lehigh Valley Public Media, for a red carpet premiere of the BET+ film celebrating local talent and the next generation of creatives.

Crayola Experience's Model Magic Movie Studios lets kids craft their very own creature, then see it star in a colorful mini adventure with the Crayola Crew.

ArtsQuest's annual Improv Comedy Festival will return to the SteelStacks campus for a 13th year on Jan. 23-24, the organization has announced.

Cosmic baseball, which lights a stadium with a black light and has a ball, bases and uniforms that glow, will play a record three-game series at Allentown's Coca-Cola Park in May.

Herman’s Hermits, known for the hits “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “Listen People” and “There’s a Kind of Hush,” will perform at Easton's State Theatre.

Taking Back Sunday, best known for its song “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team),” will headline Musikfest's main Steel Stage in August with Yellowcard.

AJR, a brother trio known for its hits "I'm Ready," "Weak," "Burn Down the House" and "Bang," will perform at Musikfest in August.

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.

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.

The festival, returning to the college campus for an eighth year, will be held 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 22, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24.

Night Ranger, best known for its hits “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” will perform at 8 p.m. May 22.

Comedian Bobby Collins, known for his appearances on "The Tonight Show" and VH1 and Showtime comedy specials, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. And The Fab Faux, which for more than 25 years has recreated iconic Beatles tunes and solo songs of its members behind guitarist and former "Conan" bandleader Jimmy Vivino, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.