Things to do with kids in Allentown & Lehigh Valley, PA
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Allentown & Lehigh Valley time)
Coming up in Allentown & Lehigh Valley: Photos with Santa at Promenade Saucon Valley (from Nov 14), Lights in the Parkway (from Nov 27), Polar Express Night at Lights in the Parkway (Dec 14) and 1 more event. 6 always-open places, led by Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, Allentown Art Museum and Lehigh Valley Zoo. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Photos with Santa at Promenade Saucon Valley
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Mon, Dec 21 (Select days Nov 14 – Dec 24 (Nov 14 opens 5–8pm with the Holiday Tree Lighting); walk-ins welcome) · Varies by day (usually 9:30am–6:30pm weekends); Santa breaks 1–2pm on most days
- Cost
- Photo packages from $29; no phone photos
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Visit Santa at the Town Square gazebo; pets are welcome on Pet Nights. Opening night (Nov 14) includes the Holiday Tree Lighting.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Lights in the Parkway
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Jan 6 (Nov 27 – Jan 6 (closed Dec 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1)) · Evenings; see site
- Cost
- Tickets required; proceeds benefit local nonprofits
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The 30th annual display turns more than a mile of Lehigh Parkway into a winter wonderland with a quarter-million lights, including a patriotic section for the nation's 250th anniversary and new displays.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Polar Express Night at Lights in the Parkway
- When
- Mon, Dec 14 · 5:30–10pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A walk/run/bike Monday through the lights (no reservations needed) with a Polar Express experience and a movie in the park.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas Celebration with Santa at Lights in the Parkway
- When
- Mon, Dec 21 · 5:30–10pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
On this walk/run/bike Monday, go through the lights on foot (no reservations needed) and meet Santa and his reindeer, with a Letters to Santa station and live music.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
- Price
- General admission $24; 2 and under free; seniors $22 (includes a 9.5% infrastructure fee)
- Best for
- Ages 2–14 (our guidance)
Hands-on science center downtown; open Tue–Sun 10am–5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Allentown Art Museum
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Free admission for everyone; open Thu–Sun 11am–4pm (third Thursdays until 8pm), free parking next door
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Lehigh Valley Zoo
- Price
- Adults 12–64 $18; kids 2–11 $14; 65+ $14; under 2 free (pricing through Nov 1, 2026)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Zoo in the Trexler Nature Preserve; open daily 10am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
America On Wheels Museum
- Price
- Adults $20; youth 5–17 $12; 4 and under free with family; 65+ $16
- Best for
- Ages 5–17+ (our guidance)
Cars, trucks and motorcycles museum; open Wed–Sat 10am–4pm and Sun noon–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Allentown Public Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Main library with a children's area; Mon–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 9am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Lehigh Parkway
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Big city park along the Little Lehigh Creek with trails; home of Lights in the Parkway each winter
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Allentown & Lehigh Valley this weekend?
Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, Allentown Art Museum and Lehigh Valley Zoo are open most days, but we don't have an Allentown & Lehigh Valley event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Photos with Santa at Promenade Saucon Valley (Nov 14) and Lights in the Parkway (Nov 27).
What are free things to do with kids in Allentown & Lehigh Valley?
These are free according to their official sites: 3 places in Allentown & Lehigh Valley, including Allentown Art Museum, Allentown Public Library and Lehigh Parkway.
Where can kids play indoors in Allentown & Lehigh Valley when it's cold or snowy?
We list 4 indoor places in Allentown & Lehigh Valley: Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion (kids $24), Allentown Art Museum (kids free), America On Wheels Museum (kids $12) and Allentown Public Library (kids free).
When and where can kids see Santa in Allentown & Lehigh Valley?
We list 2 events with Santa in Allentown & Lehigh Valley: Promenade Saucon Valley (Nov 14 – Dec 21) and Christmas Celebration with Santa at Lights in the Parkway (Dec 21).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Allentown & Lehigh Valley?
We list 3 holiday light events in Allentown & Lehigh Valley: Lights in the Parkway (Nov 27 – Jan 6), Polar Express Night at Lights in the Parkway (Dec 14) and Christmas Celebration with Santa at Lights in the Parkway (Dec 21). Our holiday lights guide for the Lehigh Valley area has more nearby.
What is there to do with toddlers in Allentown & Lehigh Valley?
We list 3 places in Allentown & Lehigh Valley that welcome kids under 2, including Lehigh Valley Zoo, Allentown Public Library and Lehigh Parkway. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Allentown & Lehigh Valley?
The best-known family attractions we list in Allentown & Lehigh Valley are Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion (kids $24), Allentown Art Museum (kids free), Lehigh Valley Zoo (kids $14) and America On Wheels Museum (kids $12). See all 6 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Allentown & Lehigh Valley family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 6 places in Allentown & Lehigh Valley: Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion (adult $24, kids $24), Allentown Art Museum (adult $0, kids free) and Lehigh Valley Zoo (adult $18, kids $14). See all 6 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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