Great Allentown Fair

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalAllentown
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsFew American fairs can match the Great
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Great Allentown Fair in Allentown

The Great Allentown Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural fairs in the United States, held annually at the Allentown Fairgrounds since 1852 and run by the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. What began as a showcase for agricultural advancements now blends livestock judging, a farmer's market, and petting zoos with a full carnival midway, grandstand concerts, and a talent-show amphitheater.

Its age, concerts, agriculture, and midway make it a major Pennsylvania fair row.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few American fairs can match the Great Allentown Fair's depth of history: it hosted a mock Battle of Bunker Hill reenactment in 1876, staged competitive airship races between 1907 and 1914, and was the site of the first known heavier-than-air flight in the Lehigh Valley when Glenn Curtiss took off from 19th Street in 1910

02

The mystery stays covered

Its half-mile track once hosted racehorse Dan Patch and later drew future Indianapolis 500 champions Mario Andretti, A

03

The city starts moving

The grandstand's concert history is just as notable, with Buddy Holly, Kate Smith, Herb Alpert, and Liza Minnelli among the acts who have performed there, including a 1974 Minnelli concert famously delayed so fairgoers could hear Richard Nixon's resignation speech

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Grandstand concerts remain the fair's marquee tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a practice dating to 1956 when Guy Lombardo became the first major act booked there

The sacred route

Living ritual

Livestock judging and the farmer's market preserve the fair's founding agricultural purpose

The local code

Living ritual

and the Powers Great American Midways carnival continues the fair's long association with mechanical rides and games dating back over a century

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

Driving or rideshare is typical.

What to wear

Late-summer fairgrounds weather in the Lehigh Valley is typically warm and humid during the day and cooler at night, so light, breathable clothing, a hat and sunscreen for daytime...

Safety

Great Allentown Fair is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Allentown

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.61 N, 75.49 WOpen in Google Maps

Allentown, PA

TransportDriving or rideshare is typical.
Stay areaAllentown

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Allentown via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Allentown, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLate-summer fairgrounds weather in the Lehigh Valley is typically warm and humid during the day and cooler at night, so light, breathable clothing, a hat and sunscreen for daytime, closed-toe shoes for walking fairgrounds and midway gravel, and a layer for evening grandstand shows are recommended.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Great Allentown Fair?

Great Allentown Fair is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Great Allentown Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Allentown, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Allentown, PA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLallentownfair.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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