This summer, our community calendar is full of amazing outdoor events featuring local artists, dancers, musicians and food. Plan your summer vacations accordingly so you don’t miss out on the amazing festivals right here in Happy Valley!

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be an absolute feast for the senses! With a record-breaking number of participants on-hand, there will be a lot to see, do, and EAT!

For many artists, their work is a labor of love — a fact made all the more apparent when your work consists of a dilapidated historic home that can’t be saved, you’re a one-man show, and there’s no gain in sight other than simply contributing something beautiful to a community. Such is the case with Benjamin Fehl and The Crooked House.

Explore Happy Valley no matter the season! There are seven show caves open to the public in Pennsylvania, and a record three are located in Happy Valley. Here’s how you can enjoy an underground excursion.

When Amy Debach moved to Bellefonte in 2006, she was enthralled with the duality of the area — rural yet metro, culturally diverse yet deeply rooted in history. It’s a mix that invited involvement and has kept her here for close to two decades. She spoke to [Bellefonte.com] about the best ways to volunteer and what everyone needs to check out while they are in town. Read on!

Happy Valley’s vibrant arts and culture scene is one of the biggest draws for residents and visitors alike. State-of-the-art facilities for the performing arts draw popular tours for large-scale productions, theatre and dance troupes, musical acts of all varieties, comedians and more. From the big stage at Eisenhower Auditorium to a more intimate setting at The State Theatre, every year brings an array of diverse opportunities for all ages. The following is a select highlight of performing arts happening in the area:

The 2023 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is a celebration of creativity and artistic expression! Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of vibrant colors, captivating performances, and inspiring exhibitions. This year the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is thrilled to introduce its Festival App, designed to enhance visitors' experience by providing up-to-date schedules, delicious food options, and exclusive artist highlights right at their fingertips.

“The Nittany Valley Running Club’s Arts Festival Races are the oldest races in Central Pennsylvania, so we are pleased to announce that after a brief hiatus, the 10-mile, 5K, and Kids Fun Run events will be returning this summer on a new site as the 45th Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races,” according to Pamela Snyder Etters, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

A new walking tour app will test users’ knowledge of Penn State by providing fresh perspectives on the university’s original land, history and purpose. The free site-specific walk “through memories of wildness” is a creative partnership between the Center for the Performing Arts and theater artist Marike Splint.