Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
It’s feeling like fall and the weekend is packed with festivals and Halloween-themed events to celebrate the season.
You’ll also find concerts, including Metallica’s first Bryce Jordan Center performance in 21 years, theater, sports and much more.
We’ve compiled some of the weekend’s highlights below.
This isn’t all that’s happening, either. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
FRIDAY
Penn State Sports
The Nittany Lion women’s ice hockey team takes on Providence at 2 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena, and with local schools closed on Friday kids can take part in games and crafts. Tickets are $5 and parking is free. At 6 p.m., field hockey hosts Indiana in the Big Ten regular season finale, and at 7 p.m. men’s ice hockey opens a weekend series against Niagara at Pegula.
Ten Thousand Villages Grand Opening
State College’s new Ten Thousand Villages store, 1341 S. Atherton St., opened in September, but kicks off a week of grand opening celebration events on Friday. See the full schedule of everything that’s planned here.
Fall Foliage and Halloween Train Rides
The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society hosts its annual Halloween-themed and fall foliage train rides, departing from the Bellefonte Train Station, 320 W. High St. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check here for details, schedules and tickets.
Dinner and a Movie at the Park
Join Centre Region Parks and Rec for an outdoor showing of ‘Field of Dreams’ at Oak Hall Regional Park. Concession stand will be open with family-friendly dinner options or you can bring your own picnic dinner. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m. and yard games will be available for play before the movie, which starts at 7 p.m. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight for the walk back to the car. Admission is $10 per car at the gate.
Pumpkin Festival
The Arboretum at Penn State’s Pumpkin Festival features hundreds of lighted jack-o’-lanterns in an annual contest, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There will be seasonal displays throughout the gardens and food vendors will be on site both nights. Flashlights are recommended. Family activities and musical performances begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
FearFest
Now in its 10th year, FearFest at Camp Anderson, 1057 VanScoyoc Hollow Road in Tyrone features a haunted house, zombie shoot, escape rooms. Open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and continues next weekend.
Ghosts and Goblins Tours
At Lincoln Caverns in Huntingdon, the 35th annual Ghosts and Goblins Tours offers three unique experiences — a new haunted house, haunted trail and haunted hayride — for the price of one. 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October, with family tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Haunted Flashlight Maze
Harner Farm, 2191 W. Whitehall Rd., and Delta Zeta host a haunted flashlight maze from 7 to 10 p.m. (must enter no later than 9 p.m.) Friday and Saturday and again on Oct. 26. There will also be a zombie kissing booth, along with hot dogs, cider and cocoa. Flashlight required. Admission is $7 and proceeds benefit Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Spook Haven
The haunted abandoned mansion attraction at 100 Danis Street, Mill Hall, returns for another year with a new theme, 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October.
Zombie Resistance
Fight back against the zombies using infrared equipment in this four-player, story-driven adventure presented by Base Tactics at the grounds of the former Starlite Drive-in, 1100 Benner Pike. Time slots are available from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through the first weekend in November. Tickets and more info here.
Young Frankenstein
Penn State Thespians present a musical rendition of Mel Brooks’ hit 1974 comedy ‘Young Frankenstein,’ with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Schwab Auditorium.
Indian Music Festival
The Society for Indian Music and Arts and Penn State Nritya present ‘Dhrupad Samaroh,’ a three-day festival celebrating India’s oldest genre of classical music. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in 233 HUB-Robeson Center.
Happy Valley Improv
Happy Valley Improv will perform at 8 p.m. in Canterbury Hall at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave., in a fundraising benefit for the church’s community cafe. Tickets are $12.50 and also include beverages and popcorn.
SATURDAY
Penn State Horticulture Show
Marking its 105th anniversary, the Penn State Horticulture Show returns to Snider Agricultural Arena from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Way Fall Festival
The second Saturday fall festival at Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to hayrides to the pumpkin patch, the day features an apple slingshot, over a dozen crafters, a petting zoo and other activities to enjoy. Food is provided by a local Lions Club and baked goods including apple dumplings are available.
Buddy Walk
The Centre Region Down Syndrome Society’s 2018 Buddy Walk and Festival, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mount Nittany Middle School, will raise funds and show support for the rights, abilities and potential of people who have Down syndrome. A non-competitive walk will be followed games, crafts, pony rides, a bounce house, the Tumblebus, a DJ and dancing. Register here.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival
Howard Fire Company’s 8th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bald Eagle State Park. The day of fun includes craft and food vendors, hay rides, a pie eating contest, mini punkin’ chunkers for the public to launch and, of course, large punkin’ chunkin’ trebuchets taking aim at floating targets on the lake. Free to attend and donations are welcome for the fire company and future festivals.
Halloween Trail and Festival
After a two-year hiatus while renovations were ongoing, the Enchanted Halloween Trail and Festival returns at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The free festival includes pumpkin carving, face painting, music, entertainment, activities, natural history programs and food for purchase. Tickets for the trail, which is appropriate for all ages, are $5.
Palmer Community Day
Community Day at the Palmer Museum of Art will celebrate connections between art and the natural world, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Enjoy gallery talks, tours, music, and get creative with pastel drawing inspired by still-life paintings on view. See the schedule here.
Miss Margarida’s Way
Starring Malena Ramirez, ‘Miss Margarida’s Way,’ is a searing drama that looks deeply into the heart of power. Billed as a ‘Tragicomic Monologue for an Impetuous Woman,’ it was banned, then censored in playwright Roberto Athayde’s homeland of Brazil. Ramirez performs in the 18-and-older show at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the State Theatre Attic.
Penn State Hockey
The Nittany Lion women’s ice hockey team hosts Providence at noon and the men take on Niagara at 3:30 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena.
Metropolitan Opera
The State Theatre presents the Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast of Saint-Saëns’s biblical epic ‘Samson et Dalila’ at 12:55 p.m.
Rowe’s Research Runners
Rowe’s Research Runners hosts its 2nd annual One Mile Walk/Run/Roll at 2 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Alliance of Heroic Hearts superheroes will be on hand and the day includes refreshments and a raffle for several prizes. The mission of RRR is to fundraise, increase awareness and facilitate connections for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), dysautonomia and related illnesses. Register here.
Haunted-U Science Festival
Admission is free and all ages are welcome for Halloween-themed science demonstrations, hands-on activities and crafts all run by Penn State students and staff at Haunted-U, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Life Sciences Building, Osmond Building and Whitmore Lab.
Haunted Lake Loop Trail
Enjoy a good scare and some laughs at the Haunted Lake Loop Trail from 7 to 9 p.m. at Black Moshannon State Park. Guides will take groups of 30 to 40 people at a time, an there will be a campfire and marshmallows on the beach to enjoy while waiting to go on the hike. A family event, with candy for kids at the end of the hike, but it may not be appropriate for anyone that scares easily. Details here.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
The State Theatre hosts two screenings — 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. — of the cult classic ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’
Haunted Valley
Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors’ Haunted Valley Ghost Tours explore eerie tales of the past and the legends of ghosts that inhabit campus buildings. Tours are from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting at Old Main. In addition to tours, Lion Ambassadors will be providing free food, fun games, and live entertainment
Festival of Psalms
The State College Choral Society kicks off its 70th season with a choral concert of psalms in a wide range of settings and styles. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St. General admission is $20 and student admission is $10.
Friction Farm
Friction Farm, a husband-and-wife team of traveling troubadours, bring songs with storytelling and humor to the Acoustic Brew Concert series at 7:30 p.m. in the Center For Well Being, 123 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont. Tickets are $18.
Fall Choral Collage
Five Penn State choirs will combine to present a fast-paced concert, with an array of compositions from the 16th century to the present day at 7:30 p.m. in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center Worship Hall.
Metallica
Metallica returns to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in 21 years with the band’s WorldWired Tour. Comedian Jim Breuer opens the 7:30 p.m. show.
Eventapalooza
WPSU welcomes families to its annual kids’ carnival, Eventapalooza, for an “Odd Squad”-themed afternoon. The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. The first 500 kids who attend the PBS KIDS family event will receive an “Odd Squad” badge and ID card and there will be activities and giveaways throughout the day.
Women’s Soccer
The Penn State women’s soccer team closes out the regular season with a 1 p.m. game at Jeffrey Field against Minnesota.
CROP Hunger Walk
All congregations, community groups, student groups and individuals are invited to join the CROP Walk to end hunger in State College and around the world. The easy 5k walk through downtown State College begins at 2 p.m. (1:30 p.m. registration) at University Baptist & Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St.
Sunday Afternoon Live
Adam Swartz Puppets presents this series featuring different community members each month. The 3 p.m. show at the State Theatre will bring the puppets together with the world-champion Centre County 4-H Robotics team and chef and Webster’s Bookstore Cafe owner Elaine Meder-Wilgus.
Nittany Valley Symphony
Join Nittany Valley Symphony for its second concert of the season, an all-Rachmaninoff afternoon, featuring pianist Svetlana Rodionova and horn soloist Matt Patton, at 4 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium.
