Free Summer Family Activities in and Around Bethlehem, PA

Summer is a great season to spend quality time as a family, and Bethlehem has lots of free activities for families during the summer. From free kids' movies in Bethlehem to free concerts in Bethlehem, there is something for everyone from June through August. So take the family out and have a great time without breaking the bank this summer.

Free Movies

Movies, Games, and More
Bethlehem has an excellent summer movie series in several locations around the city, showing free kids' and family movies in Bethlehem. Free kids' movies are shown throughout the summer at three parks in Bethlehem: Fairview Park, Friendship Park, and the Rose Garden. Fun family activities start around 6pm, there are snacks for sale for your family to picnic and socialize with neighbors, and the movies start at sunset, between 8:45 and 9pm. Free family movies are also shown at the Sun Inn Courtyard right off of Main Street at 9pm throughout the summer. These movies are usually classic films from the 50s and 60s, fun for everyone. For a full schedule of these free summer movie series and details about these events, visit their website here.

Free Summer Movie Series at Rave
Just down the road from Bethlehem are the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley, including the Rave Cinemas. Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning in June and July, this stadium seating theater hosts free kids movies for the Lehigh Valley. Each week features a new movie, starting at 10am (doors open at 9:30). This is a great way to introduce kids to the big screen without spending money, and it's a lot of fun. Click here for the current movie schedule.

Free Concerts

Tunes at Twilight
Come out with the whole family, pack a picnic, and enjoy a free concert in the Sun Inn Courtyard off of Main Street in Bethlehem, PA. Concerts are held every Thursday night from 6pm to 8pm in May and June. All different genres of music are covered during the series, from classic rock to jazz, and everyone will have a great time enjoying some good music together.

Free Summer Concerts at the Promenade Shops
The Promenade Shops host a free summer concert series for families every Friday night at 7pm in June and July. The many restaurants in the complex offer unique take-out specials so you can get some food to go while you listen to the music. All concerts are held in the Town Square, so bring a blanket or some chairs and have a great time with these free family activities near Bethlehem.

Musikfest
Musikfest is one of the largest music festivals in the country, and it runs for 10 days in the heart of Bethlehem every August. Most of the concerts are free and play at various venues, called "Platzes," throughout the festival grounds all day and night. At the Banana Island Platz, free family and kids' concerts are held daily. My kids love to go down for the first concert of each day, usually around noon. We pack a lunch to eat at one of the long tables under the tent and enjoy the free kids' music. There are lots of venues, including crafters and every kind of food imaginable, and there is no admission to get into the festival. Your family will have a great time walking around and listening to free music while enjoying this large festival.

Free Arts and Crafts

Musikfest
Next to the free kids' concerts at the Banana Island Platz is the Crayola kids' tent, filled with free arts and crafts every day of the festival. Each day has a different theme, with two or three crafts for each, like a mask or a coloring sheet. There is also a free treasure hunt to keep your kids busy as well as acquaint your family with the festival grounds. Kids try to find each picture clue, and at the end, each child gets free prizes from the Banana Factory back at the Crayola tent.

Bethlehem Art Walk
Come to downtown Bethlehem every last Saturday evening of the month from May through August, 4pm to 9pm for Art Walk. This free family activity in Bethlehem lines the sidewalks of Main and Broad Streets, including artisans and musicians. Watch, listen, and interact for free as you explore the local arts in Bethlehem. A special Kids' Corner is located in Main Street Commons, with finger painting, a coloring contest, sidewalk chalk art, and face painting. Enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown Bethlehem with the family every month at this free event.

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