About

The Bureau of Special Events is responsible for large-scale special events on behalf of the City. Efforts include Juneteenth, Fourth of July Celebrations and Fireworks, Halloween Festival, Classics and Cruisers on Hamilton Street, Veterans Appreciation Month, and Lights in the Parkway, which will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary season in 2026.

More about City-Run Events:

Get ready for an egg-citing afternoon at the 4th Annual Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt! Join us for a day of family fun, featuring four groups for the egg hunt:

  • 2-4 years old
  • 5-7 years old
  • 8-10 years old
  • 10+ (11-17) years old
  • Inclusive (Individuals with special needs)

The event is free, but make sure to pre-register to reserve your spot! While you’re here, enjoy tons of family-friendly activities, including:

  • Pictures with the Easter Bunny
  • Food trucks serving up tasty treats
  • Live music and entertainment

When: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Where: Jordan Park (6th Street & Sumner Avenue)
Rain Date: Sunday, March 29th

It’s going to be an unforgettable day of fun, so bring your family and friends, and hop on over to Jordan Park!

Pre-Register to reserve your spot: City of Allentown Parks & Recreation: 4th Annual Mayor's Easter Egg Hunt.

2026 Egg Hunt Flyer

Proudly brought to you by the City’s Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste! Earth Day in the Park is an annual celebration that was first started in 2018 to help bring awareness around environmental protection. This event offers "green" games, crafts, and activities for attendees, as well as great conversation about environmental stewardship and lots of local, eco-friendly vendors.

The 2026 Earth Day in the Park Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 12pm to 4pm at Cedar Beach Park, located at 2600 Parkway Blvd.

Come join us at our free event, complete with food, music, giveaways, environmental vendors, and family-friendly activities!

Get ready to kick off summer in the best way possible! Join us for the Irving Block Party on Friday, May 22nd, from 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Rain or Shine) at Irving Park & Pool as we celebrate the opening of the pool for the season and the start of Memorial Day Weekend!

Celebrate the Pool Opening

Enjoy FREE pool admission for the day and be among the first to dive into summer fun at Irving Pool!

Live Entertainment & Fun

The party will be packed with energy and fun featuring:

  • A live band
  • A DJ
  • Music, dancing, and entertainment for all ages

Food, Fun & Free Activities

Bring your appetite and your friends! We’ll have:

  • Delicious food vendors
  • Free activities for kids and families
  • Yard games, giveaways, and plenty of community fun

Free Movie at Dusk

After the block party, grab your blankets and lawn chairs and stick around for a FREE outdoor movie night at Irving Park!

We’ll be showing The SpongeBob Movie- Search for SquarePants starting at dusk on the big screen — the perfect way to end an amazing day.

Don’t miss this exciting community celebration filled with music, swimming, food, and family fun. Mark your calendar and come celebrate the start of summer with us at Irving Park!

The Allentown Hometown Heroes Banner Program is a heartfelt initiative designed to honor and recognize our local veterans who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. This living tribute celebrates their dedication and sacrifice.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for a banner, a veteran must have a connection to Allentown, such as attending local schools, having local relatives or friends, or those honored on Allentown War Memorials who are recommended from local VFW and American Legion Posts are also accepted.

Banner Specifications:

  • Size: 30” x 60”
  • Material: Durable 18 oz. heavy vinyl
  • Design: Each banner features the veteran’s photograph, full name, branch of the military, and era of service (e.g., WWI, WWII, Vietnam). The design is printed on both sides.
  • Display Period: Banners will be prominently displayed from Memorial Day (May) through Veterans Day (November) in 2026 and 2027. After this period, banners will be carefully removed and stored and then re-displayed in the following year.

Application Process

  1. Complete the Hometown Hero Form: Obtain and fill out the form to apply for a banner.
  2. Submit a Photograph: Provide a high-quality photograph of the veteran in uniform.
  3. Payment: A fee of $150 per banner is required. Make checks payable to “Hometown Heroes.”
  4. Mailing Instructions: Send the completed form, photograph, and payment to:
    Anne Henning Scheuring
    225 South Line Street,
    Lansdale, PA 19446

Contact Information

For more details or any inquiries, please reach out to Anne Henning Scheuring:

  • Email: heroes@verizon.net
  • Phone: (215) 855-1743

We look forward to celebrating and honoring our Hometown Heroes through this special program!

 

Hometown Heroes Banner Location Map (arcgis.com)

HometownHeroesBanner

Celebrate the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of U.S. slavery with us in Allentown!

Celebrate Juneteenth with a powerful week of events focused on freedom, culture, and community. This multi-day celebration features live entertainment, family-friendly activities, youth sports tournaments, and a vibrant marketplace of local vendors, food, and art.

2026 Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 20
Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd, Allentown, PA 18104

•  Live music and cultural performances
•  Educational and cultural showcases
•  Local food trucks and vendors
•  Community resource stations

Other Activities

  • Sunday, June 7: Juneteenth Flag Football Tournament at J. Birney Crum Stadium
  • Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth Flag Raising at City Hall at 12:00pm
  • Friday, June 19 - Sunday, June 21: Juneteenth Basketball Classic at Cedar Beach Park

As part of the Juneteenth celebration, we’ll be offering FREE pool admission to Cedar Beach Pool to residents only on Friday, June 19 from 12-7pm (as capacity allows)!


REGISTER FOR ACTIVITIES ON THE CITY'S MyRec SITE:

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Juneteenth Photo      

Join us for Allentown’s 4th of July Celebration at Cedar Beach Park on Saturday, July 4th (Rain date: Sunday, July 5th) as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

This year’s celebration will be held at Cedar Beach Park, with activities, entertainment, and plenty of food & drink vendors from noon - 9pm.

Fireworks will kick off at 9:15pm and will be launched safely from the nearby ball field. Bring out your blankets, lawn chairs, and claim your favorite viewing spots!

We had such a great time last year; we look forward to doing it again in 2026!

Here are photos from 2025’s 4th of July Celebration:

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  • Date: Sunday, August 9th, 2026 (Rain date: Sunday, August 16th)
  • Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
  • Location: Downtown Allentown (8th – 12th and Hamilton Streets)

Join us for the 9th year of Classics & Cruisers on Hamilton car show which draws nearly 400 cars, food trucks, vendors and sponsors. The event includes an open house at the America On Wheels Museum and RB Collection during staging and registration. 200 dash plaques and goody bags are handed out for the first 200 cars registered. Show cars are then escorted to the show area by police motorcycles. There are over 75 trophies awarded, both judged and specialty, with professional judging by the Allentown Area Corvette Club. The show concludes after the awards ceremony with a police escorted cruise to the Ritz to join their cruise night in progress.

All proceeds benefit the Allentown Police Department Honor Guard and the America On Wheels Museum.

Car

The 2026 Hallo-weekend events include City-wide Trick-or-Treat, the Halloween Festival, and Día de los Muertos Celebration.

The Halloween Festival is a modern approach to the traditional parade structure of years past. The 2026 Festival will build on the momentum from last year’s event and continue to emphasize safe streets, focusing on children and families and eliminating moving vehicles. The event will feature bands, dance groups, local organizations, and vendors.

Interested vendors should contact events@allentownpa.gov for more information. 

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is traditionally a Mexican holiday that honors the deceased. The event will be held in partnership with Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral Mexicano de Lehigh Valley Inc. and the Baum School of Art, and is an opportunity for families to enjoy music, dance, and cultural celebration. In respect of the Mexican culture, participating vendors for the Dia de los Muertos celebration will be limited to local, authentic Mexican businesses and organizations.

  • Friday, October 30th, 2026
    City-wide Trick-or-Treat Night (6:00-8:00pm)
  • Saturday, October 31st, 2026 (Rain date: Sunday, November 1st)
    Halloween Walking Parade in Downtown Allentown (8th to 12th and Hamilton Sts.) – (11:00am - 2:00pm)
  • Sunday, November 1st, 2026
    Dia de los Muertos in the Arts Park (2:30pm – 6:30pm)
Picture of Halloween
Picture of Halloween

Lights in the Parkway Logo

Join us for the 30th Anniversary of Lights in the Parkway, a beloved holiday tradition that transforms Lehigh Parkway into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. This year, enjoy an enchanting drive-thru experience featuring spectacular light displays from the comfort of your vehicle.

Event Details

  • Dates: Friday, November 27th, 2026, through Wednesday, January 6th, 2027
  • Hours: 5:30pm to 10:00pm nightly. Closed on Christmas – Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day.

Ticket Information:

  • Price: $16 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) or $26 for commercial vans, minibuses, or limousines under 14 feet. Online processing fees apply.
  • Advance Purchase: Tickets must be bought in advance online. No cash or credit sales on site.

Community Impact:

All proceeds from Lights in the Parkway benefit local Allentown-based nonprofit organizations, supporting their important missions and strengthening our community.

Don't miss out on this spectacular holiday event. Purchase your tickets today and create lasting memories with family and friends as you explore the dazzling Lights of the Parkway!

Check out some incredible memories we captured from our 2025 season of Lights in the Parkway “Mondays at Lights” – we had an amazing season and can’t wait to see you this season.

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Contact

Contact Information
Special Events Bureau

Forms

Allentown Hometown Heroes Application
Classics and Cruisers Registration Form