BUDGET ADDRESS: J. William Reynolds will present Bethlehem’s 2027 budget address Nov. 6 at ArtsQuest’s Creative Factory. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8 a.m. The free event is open to the public, but registration is required. For information, contact Tammy Wendling at 610-739-1775 or TammyW@lehighvalleychamber.org.

DORNEY WEEKEND: Dorney extends Halloween season with Bonus Weekend — Dorney Park will add a Bonus Halloween Weekend on Nov. 6-7, giving guests one final chance to enjoy Halloween Haunt and Tricks and Treats before the season ends.

Halloween Haunt will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, while Tricks and Treats is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7. The extended weekend will feature haunted mazes, scare zones, family-friendly activities, seasonal food and beverages, and rides and attractions throughout the park. Eligible passholders also can take part in Extra Monster Time from 11 p.m. to midnight Nov. 6.

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KWANZAA CELEBRATION: The NAACP BETHLEHEM ANNUAL KWANZAA CELEBRATION will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at PBS39, 839 Sesame St., Bethlehem. The event is open to the community and will celebrate Kwanzaa through fellowship and cultural recognition. RSVP to Esther Lee at emlanelee@gmail.com or 610-866-2078.

BOWLING FUNDRAISER: Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley will host its annual Bountiful Bowl fundraiser Nov. 7 at B Social in Allentown with a goal of raising $50,000 for its Meal Subsidy Program. The event will include a family bowling session from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by an adults-only celebration featuring bowling, food, drinks and table games from 6 to 9 p.m. According to the organization, about 75 percent of its clients receive meal subsidies. Funds raised would provide approximately one month of meal assistance for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley.

ADVENT BREAKFAST: The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Citizens’ Christmas City Committee will hold the 58th Annual Community Advent Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Moravian Village of Bethlehem, 526 Wood St., Bethlehem. Seating begins at 8 a.m. and the program starts at 8:30 a.m. The event will feature the Rev. Janel Rice, who will discuss Advent and Moravian traditions, and attendees will receive a Moravian beeswax candle and a slice of Moravian sugar cake. Tickets are $18 and must be purchased by Nov. 15. For information, contact Tammy Wendling at 610-739-1775 or TammyW@LehighValleyChamber.org.

ART EXHIBIT: The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission will present “The Art of Pastel,” an invitational exhibition featuring the work of Erin Pryor Gill, Diane Horoschock, Marianne Knipe and Jacqueline Meyerson, Nov. 12 through Dec. 22 in the Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda Gallery, 10 E. Church St. The exhibit highlights the artists’ varied approaches to pastel art, from landscapes and portraiture to photo-realistic still lifes. An opening reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12, with an artist talk at 3 p.m. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

HISTORICAL LECTURE: The Moravian Historical Society will hold its 169th annual meeting, Lecture and Reception on Nov. 12 at Moravian University’s Haupert Union Building in Bethlehem. Cultural heritage tourism expert Dr. Simon Woodward will present the keynote lecture on strategies for enhancing visitor experiences at World Heritage sites. The event begins with the annual meeting at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. and a reception. Admission is free, though registration is requested.

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.

Additional details are available through the museum’s website.

VETERANS DAY: ArtsQuest, in partnership with Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, will host its annual Veterans Day Q&A panel at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks. Moderated by Chris Yarnell, executive director of Battle Borne, the program will feature veterans sharing reflections on their military service, followed by a free screening of “Flags of Our Fathers.” Admission is free for guests ages 13 and older with a parent or guardian, but advance reservations are required. The discussion also will be livestreamed on ArtsQuest’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

FLU SHOTS: Jefferson Health will provide free drive-through influenza vaccinations for adults and children ages 6 months and older during two clinics in the Lehigh Valley in November. The clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Dorney Park, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks.

HESS PROGRAM: The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, will host “Relive Hess’s Department Store: Through Three Generations of Shoppers” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Historian and storyteller Kathy Long, vice president of the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance, will share memories and stories of the iconic Allentown department store, drawing on the experiences of three generations of shoppers and recalling the holiday traditions, celebrity appearances and family experiences that made Hess’s a regional landmark. For information, call 610-435-1074.

HOLIDAY MAGIC: Pip the Mouse, a longtime Lehigh Valley holiday tradition, will return to the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum in Allentown for performances of “The Mouse Before Christmas” on Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 19 and 26. Shows will be presented at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and run about 45 minutes. The puppet character, created in 1962 for Hess Brothers Department Store, will appear alongside interactive discussions with children about kindness, generosity and learning. Admission is included with regular museum admission. The museum’s Thomas the Tank Engine Room also will be open during the event dates.

LIVE PAGEANT: The 47th annual Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant is set for Dec. 12 and 13, 2026, at the Bethlehem Rose Garden Bandshell in West Bethlehem, continuing a long-standing holiday tradition for the community. The free outdoor production features a fully costumed reenactment of the Nativity story, including Mary and Joseph, shepherds, angels, Wise Men, live animals, camels, and mounted soldiers, accompanied by music and narration. Performances begin with a musical prelude at 1:45 p.m. each day, with the pageant lasting about an hour. Organizers are seeking community donations to help cover expenses and encourage visitors to enjoy Historic Downtown Bethlehem’s holiday attractions before or after the event.

DISTRICT INPUT: The Bethlehem Area School District will hold a series of community input meetings as part of its District Design process and is encouraging residents, families and community members to participate. Facilitated by Dr. Jane Coughenour of Steps to Achieve, the meetings will provide information on the district’s planning efforts, allow participants to ask questions and gather public feedback. BASD emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding any schools and that the meetings are intended to ensure community voices are heard. The same presentation will be offered at five locations and times, with translation services available. Virtual attendance will be offered for selected evening sessions. Complete meeting schedules and registration details are available through the district.

WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY: Wildlands Conservancy has revised its November lineup of community and educational programs because of a delay in broader public accessibility at Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. The conservancy said events planned for the sanctuary will be rescheduled.

The organization will offer five free events during November, including a hike with miniature therapy horses at Black River Sanctuary in Bethlehem, Hoot Hikes in Williams Township and Schnecksville, a wellness hike at Lake Minsi near Bangor, and a Giving Thanks Walk on Nov. 27 at the new Brenner-Penfield Emmaus Preserve in Emmaus. Registration is required for all programs.

For information or registration details, contact Nicole Landis at Nlandis@wildlandspa.org

HERITAGE LUNCHEON: The Bethlehem/Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association will hold its Heritage Day Luncheon at noon Nov. 21 at Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, 1705 W. Broad St., Bethlehem. Special guest will be Slovenian Consulate General Suzana Cesarek. The program includes a classic Slovenian film and a discussion on tracing family heritage. Admission is free for members; nonmembers pay $10, which includes a one-year membership. Reservations are due by Nov. 16. Information: www.bmssca.org or 610-866-7919

VIA AWARD: Via of the Lehigh Valley earned the 2026 Moving Mountains Award, a national honor recognizing organizations that use innovative workforce development practices to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. The Bethlehem-based nonprofit was recognized for its “DSP Engagement: Growing Careers at Via” initiative, which reduced direct support professional turnover, expanded credentialing opportunities and created a wage-incentivized career ladder. Representatives of Via accepted the award at the Reimagining Quality Conference in Baltimore. Via serves about 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities annually across six eastern Pennsylvania counties.

CRAFT FAIR: The Northampton Community College Alumni Association will host its annual Fall Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on the Bethlehem campus. More than 190 vendors will offer handmade items including jewelry, food products, woodworking and other crafts in the Arthur L. Scott Spartan Center Gym and nearby campus locations.

The event will also feature visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a holiday craft workshop for children. Proceeds benefit student scholarships and internship awards, and donations of nonperishable food items and toiletries will be collected for student-run food pantries. Admission is $2, with discounts for seniors and NCC students; children younger than 12 are admitted free.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Community Action Lehigh Valley has announced that Bethlehem native, veteran, business leader and philanthropist Charlie Marcon will serve as keynote speaker for the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 19 at Wind Creek Bethlehem. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will also feature stories from individuals who have benefited from the nonprofit’s programs and services. Organizers said Marcon was selected for his long-standing commitment to community service, equity and regional development in the Lehigh Valley.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.