Ten Must-See Lehigh Valley Events in September

September is one of the best months to live in the Lehigh Valley. The summer heat fades, the leaves begin to turn, and the calendar fills with fairs, festivals, farm adventures, and community gatherings that make this region such a special place to call home. Whether you have lived here your whole life or just moved to the area, there is always something to do.

As someone who has called the Lehigh Valley home for over 36 years and helped more than 2,000 clients buy and sell here, I can tell you firsthand that September is when this community really shines. From the roar of the crowd at Coca-Cola Park to the quiet of a sunflower field at dusk, here are ten must-see Lehigh Valley events and activities this September.

1. The Great Allentown Fair

Operating since 1852, the Great Allentown Fair is one of Pennsylvania's oldest and most beloved traditions. Hosted at the Allentown Fairgrounds (302 North 17th Street, Allentown), this week-long event brings together agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, midway rides and games, live grandstand entertainment, and food vendors serving everything from funnel cakes to farm-fresh produce.

The fair typically runs from late August through Labor Day, making it the perfect end-of-summer celebration. It is a family-friendly outing that showcases the best of Lehigh Valley agriculture and community spirit.

Visit allentownfair.com for the most current schedule and ticket information.

2. Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival

The Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival in historic downtown Bethlehem is the largest free Celtic festival in North America. Held the last full weekend of September (typically Friday through Sunday), this three-day event fills the streets of Bethlehem with the sound of bagpipes, the energy of Highland dancers, and the raw power of athletes competing in the U.S. National Highland Games Championships.

With five stages of entertainment, pipe band competitions, traditional Celtic food and drink, and a lively vendor market, the Celtic Classic is a highlight of the Lehigh Valley fall calendar. It draws visitors from across the region and beyond, and it is one of those events that makes Bethlehem feel like a city with a soul.

Learn more at celticfest.org.

3. Fall Festival at Grim's Orchard and Family Farms

Located at 9875 Schantz Road in Breinigsville, Grim's Orchard and Family Farms opens its annual Fall Festival in early September and runs through late October. This is the place for classic fall family fun: a 6-acre corn maze, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, hayrides, cattle rides, bounce pillows, pedal karts, and a play corral with a hay mountain and slides.

Don't leave without trying the apple cider donuts and caramel apples. The farm also offers special attractions like the Apple Cannon, farmer paintball, flashlight maze nights, and a dog agility show on select weekends. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm, with additional Friday hours in October.

Visit grimsorchard.com for full details and hours.

4. Apple Days at Burnside Plantation

Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites hosts Apple Days at Burnside Plantation (1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem) each September. This two-day festival celebrates the apple harvest with live music, a hay bale maze, a petting zoo with farm animals, pony and donkey cart rides, children's craft activities, and a Build Your Own Scarecrow station.

The event also features tours of the historic 1748 farmhouse and barns, living history demonstrations, an Apple Brewery Tent with seasonal craft beverages and ciders, and an apple dessert baking contest. It is a wonderful way to experience Lehigh Valley history while enjoying a perfect fall afternoon.

Tickets and details are available at historicbethlehem.org.

5. Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival at Slatington Airport (1000 Airport Lane, Slatington) bills itself as the largest fall laser-lit hot air balloon festival in North America, and it delivers on that promise. More than 20 hot air balloons launch daily at sunrise and late afternoon, with tethered rides available for those who want to go up.

After dark, the festival transforms with balloons illuminated by laser light shows and fireworks. Live music, food trucks, helicopter rides, face painting, and specialty shape balloons make this a weekend event the whole family will remember. Look for the rebranded Lehigh Valley Balloon Fest in future years as this event continues to grow.

For the latest 2026 dates, check discoverlehighvalley.com.

6. Lehigh Valley IronPigs Baseball

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, play their final regular-season home games at Coca-Cola Park (1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown) in September. There is something special about catching a late-summer ballgame as the sun sets over the field, with the stands full of Lehigh Valley families cheering on the home team.

September home games typically run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with the regular season wrapping up around the third week of the month. It is affordable, family-friendly entertainment, and the ballpark experience at Coca-Cola Park consistently ranks among the best in minor league baseball.

Check the full schedule at milb.com/lehigh-valley.

7. Sunflower Fields and Autumn Blooms

September is peak season for sunflower fields in the Lehigh Valley. Fox Summit Farm in Bushkill Township (1245 Keller Road, Wind Gap) offers 12-plus acres of pick-your-own sunflowers with seven varieties in bloom. It is open most days through September, with food trucks and special events on weekends.

A trip to a sunflower field is the perfect way to spend a late-summer afternoon, whether you are capturing family photos, picking a bouquet for your kitchen table, or just enjoying the sight of acres of bright yellow blooms stretching toward the sky.

Visit discoverlehighvalley.com for this season's sunflower field guide.

8. Drive-In Movies Under the Stars

September nights are made for drive-in movies. The Lehigh Valley is home to three historic drive-in theaters: Shankweiler's Drive-In in Orefield (the oldest continuously operating drive-in in the world, operating since 1934), Becky's Drive-In in Berlinsville (Pennsylvania's second oldest, operating since 1946), and the Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, which specializes in retro 35mm film screenings on a giant Cinemascope screen.

There is something magical about watching a movie under the September night sky with the windows down and the smell of popcorn in the air. Each theater offers its own unique personality and programming, from current blockbusters to cult classics.

Check individual theater websites for September showtimes and ticket prices.

9. Farmers Markets Across the Valley

September is harvest season, and the Lehigh Valley's farmers markets are overflowing with the best local produce of the year. The Easton Farmers' Market at Scott Park (Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm) is the nation's oldest continuously operating open-air market and a Saturday morning tradition for residents across the region.

Other standout markets include the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market (year-round, indoors), the Bethlehem Farmers Market at Farrington Square (Thursdays), the Emmaus Farmers' Market at Triangle Park (Sundays), the Nazareth Farmers' Market at Centre Square (Saturdays), and the Saucon Valley Farmers' Market (Sundays).

September is the perfect time to stock up on apples, squash, pumpkins, late-summer tomatoes, local honey, fresh baked goods, and farm-fresh meats and cheeses. Shopping at a farmers market is also a great way to meet your neighbors and connect with the community.

Check local listings for hours and seasonal schedules.

10. Cemetery Tour: Death and Dying at the Moravian Museum

For a more contemplative September experience, Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites offers guided walking tours through God's Acre, Bethlehem's oldest Moravian cemetery. The Cemetery Tour: Death and Dying explores early Moravian beliefs and practices regarding mortality, spirituality, death, and funeral customs, including the story of the Corpse House and the Old Chapel.

Led by Colonial-costumed guides, the 75-minute tour departs from the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 West Church Street, Bethlehem) and offers a fascinating glimpse into Bethlehem's unique history. Tours are typically offered on Friday afternoons in September and October.

Reserve tickets at historicbethlehem.org.

Make the Most of September in the Lehigh Valley

Whether you are new to the Lehigh Valley or a lifelong resident, September offers endless opportunities to explore, connect, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. From cheering on the IronPigs to picking apples at Grim's Orchard, from floating above the valley in a hot air balloon to strolling through a historic cemetery in Bethlehem, the month is packed with experiences that make this region so special.

Events like the Celtic Classic and the Great Allentown Fair draw visitors from across the state, but they also remind those of us who live here year-round why we chose to put down roots. The Lehigh Valley is a place where community matters, where traditions run deep, and where every season brings something new to discover.

Disclaimer: Event dates and details are subject to change. Please verify information with the official event organizers before making plans. This guide is provided as a community resource and does not constitute endorsement of any event or organization.