There is nothing like experiencing gameday in Happy Valley – the tailgating is second to none and Beaver Stadium is the most electric atmosphere in all of college football. Not to mention the Penn State Nittany Lions have playoff aspirations this year and are ranked inside the Top 10 in preseason polls for only the 12th time since 1990. The football game may get you to travel to State College, but there is much more to do in and around Happy Valley this fall.

Here’s a look at some of the best reasons to extend your stay in Happy Valley this football season:

Home Opener Weekend: Penn State vs. Bowling Green

Lil Yachty Concert
Friday, September 6
Bryce Jordan Center

​Hip Hop fans will enjoy Lil Yachty with special guests NLE Choppa, J.I. the Prince & Chow Lee are headlining the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday night, September 6. There are tickets still available for as low as $20 at ticketmaster.com.

Penn State vs. Kent State Weekend

Women’s Soccer: Penn State vs. Michigan State
Sunday, September 22
Jeffrey Field

While you’re in Happy Valley for a football game – why not check out one of the country’s premiere programs in what the rest of the world calls football? Ranked #4 in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Women's Top 25 Poll, Penn State’s women’s soccer team is looking to build on last year’s season which saw them make their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since 2018. The Nittany Lions will host the Michigan State Spartans, defending co-Big Ten regular season champions, at picturesque Jeffery Field in the heart of the Penn State Athletics Complex on Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. in their own version of a White Out.

Homecoming Weekend: Penn State vs. Illinois

Penn State Homecoming Parade
Friday, September 27 at 6 p.m.
Downtown State College

Homecoming is always a special weekend in Happy Valley and 2024 is no different. There are events planned all week leading up to the Homecoming Game on Saturday, September 28 when the Nittany Lions host Illinois.

One of the highlights of Homecoming Weekend is the annual Homecoming Parade through downtown State College – 2024’s Homecoming Parade theme is “In Every Roar, Tradition Soars.” The parade is one of Penn State’s oldest and most famous traditions – dating back to 1912. The annual Homecoming Parade will start at 6 p.m. on Penn State’s University Park campus and continue through downtown State College. As the parade committee indicates on their website, the Homecoming Parade is the largest celebration of pride – reminding everyone across Happy Valley just how “We are…Penn State.”

Penn State vs. UCLA Weekend

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical
Sunday, October 6
Eisenhower Auditorium

One of Broadway’s newest smash hit jukebox musicals TINA – The Tina Turner Musical tells the story of music icon Tina Turner from her early beginnings and personal to superstardom. The touring musical features an amazing cast and will leave you singing all of Tina Turner’s biggest hits like “What's Love Got to Do With It” and “Proud Mary” as you’re walking out of Eisenhower Auditorium. The original Broadway production received 12 nominations for the 74th Annual Tony Awards, including for “Best Musical” and the touring musical production is just as impressive.

Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster and start at $40.

Halloween Weekend: Penn State vs. Ohio State

Bellefonte Weekend Fun
Friday, November 1 to Sunday November 3
Downtown Bellefonte

If the season plays out like all Penn State fans hope, the biggest game of the year will be November 2 when the Ohio State Buckeyes visit Happy Valley for a matchup between two preseason top 10 teams. And with big games comes big crowds – so there is no better time to visit beautiful downtown Bellefonte. Only 10 minutes outside of downtown State College, downtown Bellefonte is bustling with things to do – from shopping to dining to outdoor recreation, there is something for everyone. One of the newest attractions is a mural that was completed this summer at 123 S. Allegheny St. which celebrates Bellefonte’s history as a key stop along the National Air Mail in the early years of U.S. transcontinental mail. According to local historians, Bellefonte airfields played an important role as a major refueling stop between New York and Chicago.

White Out Weekend – Penn State vs. Washington

Philipsburg Weekend Fun
Friday, November 8 to Sunday November 10
Downtown Philipsburg

Looking for a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of downtown State College on a football weekend – take a quick half-hour drive west on 322 and take a step back in time with a visit to historic downtown Philipsburg! There is history around every corner in Philipsburg and walking tours are available throughout Philipsburg's Historic District and downtown. And if the weather is not cooperating on any of the football weekends this fall, there is no better place in Central Pennsylvania to catch a movie than at the historic Rowland Theatre. An over 100-year-old one-screen theater, Rowland Theatre opened in 1917 to large crowds as a 1,000-seat playhouse.

Penn State closes the season on Thanksgiving weekend with a Senior Day game scheduled for Saturday, November 30 against Maryland. With sky-high expectations coming into this season, you’re going to want to spend as much time in Happy Valley as possible.