Bethlehem, PA – The Downtown Bethlehem Association, in partnership with Northside Alive, the City of Bethlehem, and Central Moravian Church, invites the regional community to celebrate at America250: A Bethlehem Block Party. This vibrant, family-friendly summer street festival will take place on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the heart of Historic Downtown Bethlehem.
To accommodate this downtown-wide celebration, Main Street will be fully closed to traffic. The festive event footprint will stretch from Broad Street, cross down Main Street, and expand directly onto the historic grounds of Central Moravian Church.
Positioned as one of Bethlehem’s premier public America250 commemorative programs, the event seamlessly blends historic significance with a high-energy, American festival atmosphere. It proudly marks a trinity of landmark celebrations: the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Central Moravian Church’s 275th anniversary, and Bethlehem’s continued recognition as a globally designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“We wanted to make this block party a truly unforgettable experience that highlights the incredible energy of our downtown,” said Ty Versocki, Manager of the Downtown Bethlehem Association. “By closing down the main corridors and pairing our phenomenal local businesses with car displays and live music, we are throwing a celebration that is uniquely Bethlehem.”
The event layout ensures seamless activation throughout Historic Bethlehem’s one-square-mile. “Expanding the festival footprint all the way up Broad Street and onto the church grounds allows us to showcase the entire historic district,” noted Evelyn Caron, Assistant Manager of the Downtown Bethlehem Association. “It’s a beautiful collaboration that weaves together our community’s diverse neighborhoods, history, and small businesses in a completely welcoming public space.”
Attendees can look forward to a dynamic lineup of activities across multiple street hubs, including:
- The Historic & Community Car Show: A curated exhibition of automotive history lining the center of Main Street.
- Outdoor Restaurant Dining & Beverage Hubs: Local downtown culinary staple venues will anchor the street experience, featuring outdoor service bars hosted by McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and The Melting Pot Bethlehem.
- Live Music and Entertainment Zones: A continuous soundtrack provided by regional favorites, including a performance by Twelve String on the East Stroudsburg University patio and a dedicated festival set by Life After Dead: A Grateful Dead Tribute on the 1 West Broad Street patio.
- Family-Friendly Interactive Programming: Fun community stations scattered throughout the festival, including balloon artists, face painters, and interactive children’s activities.
The America250 Block Party is entirely free to attend and open to the public. Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to flock downtown to support local small businesses, explore Bethlehem’s historic corridors, and enjoy an unforgettable, nostalgic afternoon of summer fun.
For a complete public schedule, maps, and further festival information, please visit the official event page at visithistoricbethlehem.com/event/america250-bethlehem-block-party/.
About the Downtown Bethlehem Association: The Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA) is a council of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and serves to revitalize, rehabilitate, promote and advance downtown business areas within the city of Bethlehem. It is an organization comprised of business owners who believe that unity is better than isolation and involvement is better than neutrality.
About The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce: The mission of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce is to advocate, support, and advance the business and community interests of Bethlehem through inclusive, collaborative, and innovative practices that encourage sustainable economic growth, community vitality, and quality of life.
About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide
Information provided to TVL by:
Downtown Bethlehem Association
