Laini’s List of 9 Things to Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley
by Laini Abraham
1. Grand Opening Celebration of Larry Holmes’ New Restaurant, “Champ’s Corner”
Saturday from 1 to 3 pm, 228 W. Canal St. Easton
Celebrate the opening of the Easton Assassin’s newest venture with the Champ himself this Saturday. He may have moved, but he’s still in Easton! For more information, 610-250-0202.
2. Lights in the Parkway
Ongoing through January 1 (Closed Christmas Day), 5:30 to 10 pm, 1700 Martin Luther King Dr., Allentown
This drive-through light display covers more than a mile of one of Allentown’s most beautiful parks (Lehigh Parkway) and features lighted trees, light tunnels and animated displays.
3. Christmas City, USA
Various activities, locations and times, Most through December 30, Historic Bethlehem
In 1937, Bethlehem was deemed “Christmas City, USA.” Historic Bethlehem’s tours, sites and programs are a great way to reflect upon your own meaning of the holidays while immersed in Bethlehem’s quiet beauty.
4. 52nd Annual Nazareth to Bethlehem Christmas Peace Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage participants meet at the parking lot at 520 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem before 10:45 AM
While there is a bit of a religious element to this traditional march from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the overall message is one of peace.
5. Lehigh University Philharmonic Nutcracker and Winter Fun
Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 3 pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem
Magical multi-media holiday fun! The orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and a new work based on the fairytale The Emperor and the Nightingale, with music by New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod. Eugene Albulescu conducts.
6. “The Descendants” at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Through Sunday, Various Times, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, The ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
From the website: “From Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar-winning Sideways, set in Hawaii, The Descendants is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki.” Also playing at the same location, “Being Elmo.” 🙂
7. 2011 Holiday Train Exhibit
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Check Times, America On Wheels, 5 N. Front St., Allentown
Enjoy the sounds, lights and action of the many trains chugging they’re way around the galleries of the Lehigh Valley’s premier Transportation Museum.
8. Annie the Musical – Pennsylvania Youth Theatre’s (PYT) Holiday Musical
Various days and times through December 18th, The Charles A. Brown Ice House, River St., Bethlehem
If you don’t remember that Annie met FDR (like I didn’t), then you may need to see Annie again!
9. 5th Anniversary Party at Just Around the Corner
Saturday from 5 to 9 pm, 5A N. Bank St., Easton
Congratulations to Diane Bower on celebrating the 5th anniversary of Just Around the Corner. Stop by to celebrate, have refreshments, and get some good local shopping done.