Graduation is on the horizon in Happy Valley, and you can feel it all over town. Sunny days bring students out for cap-and-gown photos as friends gather at favorite campus landmarks.
You also know the end of the year is getting close when itās time for Movinā On, Penn Stateās annual student-run music festival at the IM Fields.
Add in the start of National Small Business Week with a packed lineup of live music, makers markets, performing arts, sports, and local history events, and there is plenty to keep an eye on this week.
š Keep Your Momentum Going with Penn State Football
Blue-White Weekend may be over, but Penn State football energy is not slowing down yet.
Tonight, Pine Grove Hall hosts a Happy Valley United: Insider Exclusive from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring Penn State football players Owen Aliciene, DeAndre Cook, and Vaboue Toure. Hosted by Jim Galanti and Chris Buchignani, the event offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the players who will take the field this fall.
Then on Thursday, keep the conversation going with Inside the Story of Penn State Football featuring Chris Buchignani. Itās another chance for fans to stay connected to the program, hear more about whatās ahead, and carry a little of that Blue-White Weekend momentum into the rest of spring.
š¶ Live Music Around Town
Movinā On gates open at 3:30 p.m on Friday, with performances continuing into the evening.
The Steel Wheels bring their roots-driven sound to The State Theatre on Sunday night.
Pine Grove Hall also has a busy lineup. Lord Forest plays Friday night, followed by Bet Williams and Laurelyn Dossett on Saturday and Ordinary Elephant on Sunday.
Mannyās Live Performance Space has a standout show as well, with Secret Planet // Mdou Moctar on Saturday night.
š Performing Arts, Classical Music & Student Performances
The Nittany Valley Symphony presents Hearts on Fire on Friday evening at Bellefonte Area High School.
The PA Chamber Orchestra closes its season with Fantastical Classical Tales on Sunday afternoon at Penn State Recital Hall.
Penn Stateās School of Music also has a full slate of concerts and recitals, including Concert Band and Symphonic Band at Eisenhower Auditorium on Wednesday and several student and professional performance certificate recitals throughout the week. Find more events here.
šļø Makers and Markets
On Saturday, Pop Up Ave: Maker + Vintage Market returns to South Allen Street, with handmade goods, vintage finds, food vendors, and a beer garden downtown.
The Rivet also joins the small-business spirit with its Maker Booth Pop-Up: Shop Small for National Small Biz Week, beginning Sunday. The pop-up features handmade goods, gifts, art, and work from local makers and small businesses.
Schlow Library hosts Phone Photo Techniques with Danielle Crowe on Sunday afternoon, offering a practical workshop for anyone who wants to get more out of their phone camera.
š Local History, Derby Weekend & Unique Events
Derby weekend gets a nod with the Kentucky Oaks Watch Party on Friday and the Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday at Alla Spina at Hiway.
Bellefonte also leans into history this weekend with Civil War Weekend, beginning Friday.Ā
On Sunday, Pine Grove Hall hosts Pine Grove Mills Village Association: Our Civil War History, a talk exploring Pine Grove Mills during the Civil War era and the local residents connected to that history.
š Penn State Sports This Week
Penn State baseball and softball both have home games on the calendar this week, giving fans several chances to get outside and catch a game before the semester wraps up.
Penn State Baseball takes on the West Virginia Mountaineers tonight (weather permitting) with a Dollar Dog Night promotion. The team then continues the weekend with a series against Minnesota on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Penn State Softball hosts Nebraska for a weekend series, beginning Friday, May 1, with Military Appreciation at the ballpark. The series continues Saturday and Sunday.
Postseason away game schedules can be found at Penn State Athletics.
šæ Outdoors, Gardens & Seasonal Events
The Penn State Student Farm 2026 Plant Sale takes place Friday at Tyson Greenhouses on Curtin Road.
A Bird Walk is scheduled for Thursday morning at The Arboretumās Overlook Pavilion. Then, on Saturday night,a Star Party for adults is scheduled on the lawn.
š» Fun at Breweries & Local Spots
Local breweries and gathering places have a full slate of lighter, social events this week, too.
At Axemann Brewery, the week includes Trivia Night on Wednesday, Science on Tap and a Happy Valley Improv Show on Thursday, and a Charcuterie Workshop on Sunday. That gives Axemann a little bit of everything, from questions and conversation to comedy and a hands-on food event.
Titan Hollow keeps the week going with Music Bingo with DJ Troy Breon on Monday, while Happy Valley Brewing Company hosts Candy Bar Bingo on Tuesday evening.
Itās a good reminder that not every event has to be a big production. Sometimes the best plan is trivia, bingo, a workshop, or a relaxed night out with something fun happening in the background.
āļø Looking Ahead: Summer in Happy Valley
With the semester coming to an end, itās time to start looking toward summer in Happy Valley.
If you live outside of State College, summer may be one of the best times to plan a visit. The pace shifts after graduation, but that is part of what makes the season so special. You can enjoy downtown, campus, local restaurants, and the outdoors without the rush of a major football or event weekend.
In this weekās Connecting the Dots video, Chris Buchignani makes the case for why an off-event summer weekend can be a great way to experience Happy Valley.
