By The Connect Crew | July 8, 2026
There is usually something for everyone happening around Happy Valley, but this week takes things to another level.
With Arts Fest taking over downtown and campus, People’s Choice returning to Boalsburg, Philipsburg Heritage Days underway, and events popping up at museums, theaters, libraries, farms, restaurants and music venues, Happy Valley is in full Arts Week mode.
Arts Festivals & Community Events
The biggest event of the week is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which runs Wednesday through Sunday in downtown State College and on the Penn State campus.
In Boalsburg, the People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania runs Thursday through Sunday at the Pennsylvania Military Museum grounds, offering another major arts festival option.
Philipsburg Heritage Days also runs Wednesday through Saturday, bringing a community festival into the mix with events, entertainment and tradition.
Way Fruit Farm’s 6th Annual Art in the Orchard takes place Thursday through Saturday. Take a tethered hot air balloon ride on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Book lovers can head to Schlow Centre Region Library on Saturday for BookFest PA 2026.
Live Music, Concerts & Nightlife
Arts Fest brings live music all around town and campus. Find the full festival schedule here.
Tonight, Pine Grove Hall hosts the Catherine Dupuis Quartet for a Bacharach and Mancini tribute show, then on Thursday night it’s Haunted Like Human.
The Travelin’ McCourys perform at The State Theatre on Thursday and Tussey Mountain’s WingFest continues this week with Astral Shakedown and Pink Talking Fish.
Friday brings Joe Crookston to Pine Grove Hall, while Manny’s presents Bailey Pope: Comedy x Rock n’ Roll. At Alla Spina at HiWay, Jason McIntyre performs with Dan Collins for an Arts Fest Friday night show.
On Saturday, Pine Grove Hall hosts Old Friends ’26: Zolten, Rounds, Mathieu & Fox, featuring four longtime State College musicians returning to the stage together. Boal City Brewing has Astral Shakedown, Manny’s hosts Secret Planet: Las Guaracheras + Nevaris Project, and The State Theatre presents Craig Finn and Patterson Hood.
On Sunday, Bellefonte’s Summer Sounds series also continues at the Talleyrand Park Gazebo with Tommy Wareham, “The Original Piano Man.”
Theatre, Comedy & Performances
State College Community Theatre presents Curtains the Musical at State College Area High School Thursday through Sunday.
Tempest Productions presents Romeo & Juliet at Tempest Studios in downtown State College Thursday through Sunday.
Happy Valley Improv is also part of the week’s performance lineup with shows throughout the week.
Arts, Museums, Books & Creative Experiences
Beyond the major festivals, there are several smaller arts and museum events worth noting.
The Palmer Museum of Art hosts Yoga and Mindfulness this afternoon.
On Thursday, Schlow Centre Region Library hosts the Images 2026 Awards Reception for the juried exhibition presented with the Arts Fest. Cash prizes will be awarded, and visitors can vote for a Viewers’ Choice Award.
The Schlow Library Foundation Book Sale runs Friday and Saturday in the Downsbrough Community Room.
Back at the Palmer Museum of Art on Friday, Gallery Conversation: Constellations, Celebrating the Legacies of Betye Saar, offers an in-depth look at the special exhibition with Assistant Director Joyce Robinson.
On Sunday, the museum also hosts a Drop-in Tour: American Art & Social History, beginning in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Lobby.
Kids & Family
Families have plenty to choose from, starting today with Children & Youth Day at the Arts Fest.
Also today, POLLINATORS! The Musical comes to State College Presbyterian Church. The 30-minute musical puppet show from Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden teaches audiences through songs, puppets and kid-friendly facts.
On Thursday, East End Social hosts the East End Social Block Party: Manny’s Music & Dancing, a free family-friendly street party in collaboration with Manny’s Live Performance Space.
On Friday, Discovery Space and The Rivet bring Built For Curiosity to East End Social.
At the start of next week, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center’s Bug Camp begins Monday and runs through Friday.
Outdoor, Wellness & Recreation
On Thursday, the Arboretum at Penn State hosts an America 250 Plant Walk.
On Saturday morning, Canoe Creek State Park offers Yoga on the Beach, a gentle yoga class at the swimming area.
Saturday evening brings two more Arboretum events: an Evening Bird Walk and a Star Party.
History and Heritage
Sunday brings two Bellefonte train events: one tied to history and one built around bingo and prizes.
A Train Ride to Curtin Village: American Pioneer Revolutionary War Days boards at the Bellefonte Train Station and travels round trip to Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village.
Later that day, enjoy Train Ride Bingo on the Bald Eagle, a round-trip train ride toward Mill Hall.
Sports & Games
The State College Spikes are home this week at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. They host the West Virginia Black Bears on Wednesday and Thursday, then begin a home series against the Williamsport Crosscutters on Tuesday.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the first Connect Happy Valley Social takes place Wednesday, July 15 at Pine Grove Hall. The relaxed community gathering is for neighbors, newcomers, local business owners, artists, nonprofits and community-minded people who want to meet in real life. This event will also introduce Connect Happy Valley as a new resource for discovering what’s happening across Happy Valley.
Later this month, the State Games of America come to State College from July 24 through August 2, bringing thousands of amateur athletes to Penn State and other local facilities. The Opening Ceremony takes place July 31 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
As always, event details can change, and some events require tickets, registration, or limited seating, so check with the venue or organizer before heading out.
