FREE COSTUMES: The Costume Project will host a free community event from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at the Bethlehem YMCA, providing children in need with Halloween costumes and books. Organizers have collected about 600 new and gently used costumes and nearly 1,000 books for distribution. Children attending will be able to select a costume, receive books, play carnival games and enter prize drawings at no cost. The event is the first of its kind for the organization, which was inspired by founder Alyson Haskins’ belief that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween.

OKTOBERFEST OPENS: ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest returns to SteelStacks beginning Friday, Oct. 2, for two weekends of German-inspired food, beer, music and family activities. Festival highlights include wiener dog races, the Pennsylvania Stein Holding Championships, pup parades, hot glass experiences and a Yuengling Oktoberfest Beer Dinner Oct. 3.

The festival is presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) and features a variety of traditional Oktoberfest foods, entertainment and special events throughout both weekends.

STEEL WEEKEND: The National Museum of Industrial History will host Steel Weekend Oct. 10-11 at the museum, SteelStacks campus and participating venues in Bethlehem. The free event will celebrate the region’s iron and steel heritage with a steelworkers reunion, hot iron pour, guest speakers, live demonstrations, workshops, youth activities, public art, exhibits and musical performances. The Steelworkers’ Archives will staff an informational table Oct. 10 and offer a bus tour of the east end of the former Bethlehem Steel plant.

HARVEST FEST: Harvest Fest will return to Historic Downtown Bethlehem 12-5 p.m. Oct. 10, featuring live music, vendors, shopping and seasonal activities throughout the district. Organizers are highlighting two tasting trails, the Sip & Savor Trail and the Seasonal Snacks Trail, designed to encourage visitors to explore downtown businesses while sampling fall-themed food and drinks.

Three stages will host live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Festival admission is free, though tasting passports for the food and beverage trails are sold separately and available in limited quantities. The event will take place along Main and Broad streets in downtown Bethlehem.

BETHLEHEM CO-OP: The Bethlehem Co-op Market has announced it will officially open Dec. 5 at 250 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, following a series of Preview Markets beginning Oct. 1. The community-owned grocery store will host preview events Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, along with Saturday markets from Oct. 3 through Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Shoppers will be able to purchase products from local vendors, buy curated produce and grocery boxes, tour the store and learn more about the co-op. Organizers also launched a Member Buy-In Challenge, encouraging the co-op’s more than 1,750 member-owners to make at least one purchase during the preview period. Membership is not required to shop.

HI NEIGHBORS: First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, is offering a free Monday speakers program featuring local presenters on topics including music, history, travel and technology. Programs begin with social time at 9:30 a.m., followed by presentations at 10 a.m. No registration is required.

For the Oct. 5 program, Becky Bradley, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, will give a look at “The Lehigh Valley of the Future.”

For more information: info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: The Hellertown Historical Society is seeking community volunteers to help plan and coordinate the 2027 Hellertown-Lower Saucon Heritage Day celebration, scheduled for May 15. Volunteers are needed for committees focused on parking and transportation, shuttle coordination, food and refreshments, community group participation, event setup and teardown, and general logistics. Those interested in serving on a committee or as a committee chairperson can contact the society through its volunteer form.

GARDEN CLUB: The Bethlehem Garden Club will present “Plants of Murder and Mayhem” by Susan Drabic, a Penn State Master Gardener, at 1 p.m. Oct. 15 at Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The program will be followed by a club meeting and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.

ICEHOUSE EVENT: The Vanaver Caravan will bring its new production, America in Motion: The People’s 250th Celebration, to the Charles A. Brown Ice House in Bethlehem on Oct. 16 as part of the Godfrey Daniels Presents: 50th Anniversary Series. The performance combines live music and dance to explore themes of labor, community and the American experience, and will be followed by a community square dance open to audience members of all experience levels. The event is presented in partnership with WDIY 88.1 FM and Lehigh University Art Galleries’ exhibit, This Land: Reimagining The United States of America on its 250th anniversary.

STEAK & BURGER: The Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem will hold its annual Steak & Burger Dinner on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Foundry Ballroom at Wind Creek Bethlehem. The fundraiser supports educational, recreational and health programs serving nearly 800 local youths each year. The event will honor St. Luke’s Health Network with the Dedication to Youth Award, Tom Hall with the Legacy Award and Dylan Stroup with the Blue Door Award for their contributions to the club and its mission. For more information, contact Miguel Rivera at 610-865-4241 or mrivera@bgcob.org.

INFORMATION SESSION: The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts will host a School & Audition Information Session at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the school, 321 E. Third St., Bethlehem. Prospective students and their families can meet school administrators and faculty, tour the campus, learn about the school’s seven artistic majors and receive audition preparation tips from artistic directors. The event is designed to help families learn more about Charter Arts and the admissions process.

OPEN GATE: Several farms and agricultural destinations in and around Bethlehem will take part in the 2026 Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tours, set for noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 3-4. The self-guided event allows the public to visit working farms and learn about local agriculture.

Among the closest stops to Bethlehem are Monocacy Farm Project on Bridle Path Road, which will offer guided tours and information on its produce donation and food access programs; Camel’s Hump Farm on Johnston Estate, a historic farm featuring tours, crafts and family activities; and Dale Koehler & Son Farm, a multigenerational Bicentennial Farm with a market selling locally produced meats, eggs and other products.

Other nearby participants include Klein Farms Dairy and Creamery in Easton, known for its dairy products and ice cream, and several Nazareth-area destinations including Juniperdale Farm/The Produce Crib, the Northampton County 4-H Center and Equilibrium. The tours are free and open to the public.

ROTUNDA EXHIBIT: The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission will present Emerging Artists, a curated exhibition featuring the work of Arta Brito, Marta Czajka, Sarah Fiedler, Marissa McHugh and Lexi Soboleski in the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery through Nov. 5. An opening reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, with an artist talk scheduled for 3 p.m. The gallery, located at 10 E. Church St., is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit showcases a variety of artistic mediums, including portraiture, printmaking, fiber arts and mixed media.

WASTE EVENT: Residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste during a Saturday, Oct. 3, collection event hosted by Hanover Township, Northampton County. Registration is required and available through Northampton County at norcopa.gov. Township officials encouraged residents to take advantage of the event to properly dispose of hazardous materials and help protect the environment. For information, contact Hanover Township at 610-866-1140 or hanover@hanovertwp-nc.org.

CROP WALK: The annual Bethlehem CROP Walk will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Central Moravian Church’s Christian Education parking lot on New Street in Bethlehem. Organizers said the approximately three-mile walk will include a stop at the Hispanic Center of the Southside, which operates a food pantry and other community programs.

Twenty-five percent of funds raised will support local feeding ministries, while the remainder will benefit global hunger relief efforts through Church World Service. Last year’s event drew nearly 100 participants. For information, contact Donna Mackaravitz at 610-762-4213.

ANNUAL CHILIFEST: The SouthSide Arts District will celebrate the 30th anniversary of ChiliFest with a day of food, music and competition in South Bethlehem Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 5 p.m. Festivalgoers can purchase a $35 passport to sample chili from contestants at venues throughout the South Side and vote for the People’s Choice Champion. The event also will feature live music by The Billy Bauer Duo, Melody Cruz, Seth Witcher and Dear Anna. Commemorative 30th anniversary merchandise, including T-shirts, also is available for preorder.

GRANDPARENTING SUMMIT: Grace Church Bethlehem, 4301 Hecktown Road, will host a Christian Grandparenting Summit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The “A Heart for Eternity” simulcast will feature nationally known speakers and resources for grandparents seeking to strengthen their families’ spiritual legacy. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.; coffee, lunch and snacks will be provided. Register at gracechurchcb.org/events under Grandparenting Summit 2026. For information, contact Cathy Perna at 610-844-3935 or cathy.perna@gmail.com, or Deb Klepeiss at 610-349-9449 or abbey4942@msn.com.

SUN INN: The Sun Inn Preservation Association and The Bachmann Players will present Edge of Revolution, an interactive historical theater production, on Nov. 5 and Nov. 7 at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem.

The production blends drama, humor, history and audience participation as guests experience a divided colonial community grappling with loyalty, conscience and independence during the American Revolution.

An evening dinner-and-show performance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, followed by a lunch-and-show matinee at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Reservations are required by Oct. 29. The event is hosted by the Sun Inn Preservation Association, 564 Main St., Bethlehem

HAUNTED HOUSE: The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts (Charter Arts) Production Arts Department presents its HAUNTED HOUSE on Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy some spine-tingling fun at this showcase of imagination, artistry and skill that’s packed with fun frights and clever scares. From sound and lighting to props, costumes and set design every chilling detail is crafted by the school’s production arts students. Tickets are online at CharterArts.org or at the door.

HALLOWEEN EVENT: The Northeast Community Center will host a Trunk or Treat and Resource Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at 1161 Fritz Drive, Bethlehem. The event is free and open to Bethlehem families.

The event will feature food, resources and candy, along with a costume contest for children ages 0-18. Partner organizations are invited to participate in a trunk-decorating contest.

The rain date is Oct. 29.

For more information, call the Northeast Community Center at 610-691-3355 or email info@neccbethlehem.org.

CHARGING INCENTIVE: PPL Electric Utilities is offering residential electric vehicle owners incentives of up to $120 a year through voluntary programs that encourage charging during off-peak hours. Customers can choose an automated charging program with rewards of up to $120 annually or a self-managed option offering up to $60 a year. The utility said the programs help reduce demand on the electric grid during peak-use periods. Contact: PPL Electric Utilities, news@pplweb.com.

BLOOM BENEFIT: Bloom has announced its fourth annual Freedom Benefit Dinner will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Lehigh University’s Iacocca Conference Center.

The keynote speaker will be Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tenn. The event, hosted by Olav and Gina Sandnes, raises funds to support Bloom’s programs serving survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Bloom provides safe exit strategies, trauma-informed residential services, workforce development and other support to help survivors build independent futures. The annual fundraiser has generated more than $100,000 each year to support the organization’s mission.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, contact Vickie Nisbet, Bloom’s director of development, at 610-866-5755 or vickie.nisbet@bloomforwomen.org.

YOUTH COUNCIL: The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is seeking high school students to join its 2026-27 Youth Volunteer Council. The program offers volunteer opportunities, leadership development, service hours and networking with students from across the Lehigh Valley. There is no fee to participate, and members are eligible to apply for $1,000 scholarships. For information, email youth@volunteerlv.org or call 610-807-0336.

VETERANS: Office of Veterans Affairs: staffed with VA-accredited Veteran Service Officers: Northampton County: 610-829-4875, orcopa.gov/veterans-affairs; Lehigh: 610-782-3295, veteransaffairs@lehighcounty.org.

Veterans Support: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.- usually third Monday of the month, State Rep. McNeil’s district office, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall. Information on education, health care and death benefits. For appointments with an American Legion Service Office representative, call 610-266-1273.

STEWARDS NEEDED: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is launching a new Colonial Industrial Quarter Stewards Program and is seeking volunteers and team leaders to help maintain paths, walkways and grounds at the historic site. The program comes ahead of the opening of the Overlook on History this fall. Volunteers interested in serving as Trail Tenders or team leaders can learn more and sign up at historicbethlehem.org.

ZUG EXHIBIT: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is presenting Jeanette Barres Zug: A Life in Service to Moravian Bethlehem at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St. The exhibit highlights the life and contributions of Zug, a longtime volunteer, educator and preservation leader who helped shape the museum and train generations of tour guides. Through photographs, archival materials and personal artifacts, the exhibition explores her lasting impact on preserving Bethlehem’s Moravian history.

More information is available at historicbethlehem.org.

HELLER REUNION: Hellertown, PA – The Hellertown Historical Society (HHS) will host a Heller Family Reunion for descendants of Hellertown’s founder – Johann Christian Heller – at its annual Heritage Day celebration May 15, 2027.

Heller descendants across the United States with genealogical ties to Johann Christian are invited to attend the reunion, which is being organized by the HHS and Heller family members living in eastern Pennsylvania.

Heller descendants interested in learning more about the reunion are asked to contact the historical society at info@hhstours.org. Responses already have been received from descendants in states from Maine to Washington and Florida to the Southwest.

NORTHAMPTON AWARDS: Northampton County will hold its 2026 annual Awards Ceremony Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at the Northampton County Courthouse.

Northampton County will present awards to residents in the categories of Volunteer, Youth, Business, Veteran, Samaritan, and Emergency Personnel.

Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organizations using the form on the DCED website at norcopa.gov/dced. To submit a nomination, please contact Dawn Tomaino at dtomaino@norcopa.gov.

Nominations for Outstanding City and Municipal Employees will be submitted directly by their municipalities.

The event is free and open to the public.

NORTHAMPTON HABITAT: After more than three years of hard work, perseverance, and adaptations, “Homes at Forks,”– a collaborative project being undertaken by Northampton County and Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley – has received final approval from Forks Township board of supervisors. The 12-acre development is located off Kesslersville Road near the Two T’s Family Entertainment Center and Braden Airpark in Forks Township.

KILIMANJARO FUNDRAISER: Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem board member Dylan Stroup will take his support for local youth to new heights this summer as he climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the Club’s programs.

Stroup, who joined the Club’s board of directors in 2024, is leading the “Climb for Kids” campaign with a goal of raising $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, which has served local children and teens since 1930. Today, more than 650 Club members take part in programs focused on education, recreation and character development.

His climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, is scheduled to begin in early August. Donations to the campaign will help support Club kids and teens as they build confidence, overcome challenges and prepare for bright futures in the Bethlehem community.

To support the effort: Contributions may be made to Dylan Stroup’s Climb for Kids campaign benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem.

This project will provide attainable housing for 25 families in need, a step forward in our goal of providing affordable housing options in the Lehigh Valley. In true Habitat for Humanity fashion, each future homeowner will contribute 250 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home – a testament to the dedication and investment these families bring to their community.

10TH ANNIVERSARY: The National Museum of Industrial History will host a cocktail reception Nov. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The gala will highlight a decade of public engagement and invites community participation through attendance, program advertising and donations for a silent auction. [10th Anniv ... la at NMIH | Outlook]

Additional details are available through the museum’s website.

LITTER CONTEST: The Pennsylvania Resources Council is accepting entries for its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31.

Open to amateur photographers, the contest invites participants to submit photos highlighting litter in Pennsylvania communities. Categories include students, adults, and new Before & After divisions recognizing cleanup efforts. First-place winners in each category will receive $500.

For contest rules and entry information, visit prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest or email lensonlitter@prc.org.