By The Connect Crew | June 17, 2026
Summer officially arrives this Sunday, so for once it’s not just a feeling, it’s on the calendar. Whether you want to spend the weekend listening to live music outside, taking the kids down to Bellefonte, marking Juneteenth with the community, or just finding an excuse to get out of the house, there’s a lot to choose from.
Here are some of the highlights happening around the area this week.
Juneteenth Events
Juneteenth events kick off this morning with a Juneteenth Celebration for Kids at Schlow Library, in the Downsbrough Community Room.
Then on Friday, Woskob Family Gallery hosts the Juneteenth 2026 Opening Reception along with the Juneteenth Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
The big one is Saturday, when the Juneteenth 2026 Block Party takes over MLK Jr. Plaza and the 100 Block of Fraser Street in Downtown State College, with food, music, and performances all day. This year’s headliner is Maya Azucena.
On Sunday, it’s Eric Ian Farmer, Gary Abdullah, and Stephen Mariner with a Juneteenth inspired performance at Pine Grove Hall.
Major Community Events and Summer Traditions
WingFest rolls on Thursday evening at Tussey Mountain Lodge with WingFest #2, featuring 91 Stitches and Who’s Bad, the Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience.
TobyMac brings his Hits Deep Tour to the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday.
Bellefonte is going to be busy all weekend with the Historic Bellefonte Cruise and related events.
And if you haven’t hit up Happy Valley Restaurant Week yet, you have until Sunday to enjoy participating restaurants across Centre County.
Live Music
On Friday, the Lemont Village Green Concert series features Jeff Gibble, Zeb Crews, and Zach Humphreys.
Downtown, catch Secret Planet’s GITKIN with Andy Tolins at Manny’s, followed by Johnny Mullenax with Ma’am on Saturday.
Pine Grove Hall also has The Rick Hirsch 4 on Thursday, Duck Iridescent on Friday, and the Gabe Stillman Band (nearly sold out!) Saturday.
Sunday is stacked as well. The Bushwick Mountain Boys play 3 Dots Downtown, the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners hit the Summer Music Picnic Series at South Hills School of Business and Technology, and Honey Pie performs at Talleyrand Park Gazebo in Bellefonte.
Then on Tuesday, Official Claire and Weird Dream play Manny’s.
Arts, Theatre, Comedy, and Performance
Thursday brings Poetry Open Mic to Schlow Centre Region Library’s Quiet Area Cafe.
Blue Brick Theatre has back-to-back comedy this weekend on Friday and Saturday.
And on Sunday, Dr. Michael Burkhardt gives a free organ recital at Grace Lutheran Church.
Outdoor, Wellness, and Recreation
Centred Outdoors leads a guided outing at Alan Seeger Natural Area Thursday evening.
Saturday gives you plenty of reasons to get outside, between PA Wilds Child at Black Moshannon State Park and the Seasons of Rothrock: Greenwood Furnace MASS MTB Race.
Rhoneymeade is busy too, with a Father’s Day Event running Saturday and Sunday and a Summer Solstice Community Campfire Saturday evening.
Kids and Family
Families can visit The Arboretum this morning for an educational Leave No Trace Program. Then, Nature Sketching for Young Artists happens Thursday at Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden.
And in Bellefonte, families can build Speeder Rides and Fastest Brick in Bellefonte right into their Cruise weekend plans.
Community Learning, Classes, and Public Interest
The Penn State Student Farm’s Feed the People Market Stand sets up this afternoon in Kern Lobby at Penn State.
Thursday brings the YMCA of Centre County’s Senior Luncheon in State College.
On Saturday, the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte hosts its Match Factory Open House.
World Cup Watch Parties
Friday, join in World Cup Watch Parties at Axemann Brewery, Alla Spina, and East End Social.
Food, Drink, Tastings, Trivia, and Social Events
University Wine Company has Music Bingo tonight.
Brass16823 hosts Thursday Night Line and Partner Dancing with Lion Country Line Dancing on Thursday.
J.T. The Piano Guy plays at Happy Valley Live on Friday, and Saturday brings a Classic Appetizers and Wine Pairing at Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery; reservations required.
Sports
The State College Spikes are home all week, taking on Canada Wednesday and Thursday before facing Trenton Friday through Sunday.
And the USSSA Happy Valley Father’s Day Hitfest fills up Oak Hall and the John Hess Complex Saturday and Sunday.
Penn State fans can get a peek inside Beaver Stadium during a ticketed Beaver Stadium tour on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
Next week brings the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival running June 24-28 at Grange Fairpark in Centre Hall, and Penn State’s We Are Weekend at University Park.
Mark your calendar for July 25 too. Penn State Rise Above’s “We Are Family” event takes place at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center to benefit Penn State Adaptive Athletics. The event, hosted by Sue Paterno and Dana Harris, features keynote speaker Terry Smith and a performance by Grammy-winning artist and Penn State alum Mike Reid.
Get Out There!
Whatever you end up doing this week, do at least one thing outside. Summer doesn’t wait around in Happy Valley, and neither should you.
For the full list of everything happening, check out the CHV events calendar.
