"Rather than concentrating the holiday experience in one location, we're creating a district-wide celebration that encourages visitors to explore more of downtown," said Julie VanOsdol, manager of the Easton Main Street Initiative at the Greater Easton Development Partnership, when the 2026 plans for Easton Winter Village were announced on September 16, as Lehigh Daily reported.
Since 2020, the Winter Village has been the one downtown event that stayed inside the Square. Vendor huts circled the 85-foot Peace Candle on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from late November through December. That format is ending this year. The rest of Easton's fall calendar left the Square some time ago. Walk this season's festivals from Garlic Fest in early October to Bacon Fest in November and they run down Northampton Street, along both sides of Third Street and out to Scott Park on Larry Holmes Drive. The Winter Village is the last one to catch up.
What Changes at the Winter Village on November 27
The 2026 season runs November 27 through December 20 and opens with the city's 75th annual Peace Candle Lighting on November 27. Centre Square keeps a smaller "inner ring" of vendor huts, which includes a new Artist Market. A limited number of food and drink huts move to a new Winter Garden in the South Third Street parking lot, along with fire pits, college and pro football tailgates and live music. That lot sits between Belleville Market and Mesa Modern Mexican.
The size of the change shows up in the hut count. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. told lehighvalleylive.com that the village will go from about 40 huts to 12. GEDP also plans expanded holiday decor and lighting across downtown, North Pole-themed wayfinding signs, a Holiday Trolley running during set hours and a rotating lineup of artists, makers and specialty merchants, so the vendors change from weekend to weekend.
Not every longtime participant is happy with the new format. Vendor fees went from $500 for four weekends to $500 for a single weekend. Nicole Lapham, a Palmer Township resident who sells engraved ornaments through Sarah Nicole Designs, told lehighvalleylive.com she had been a vendor for five years and felt the process was handled inappropriately. John Kingsley, Easton's Director of Community and Economic Development, said the changes reflect funding challenges and a goal of moving holiday shopping out of the Square and into downtown businesses. GEDP's explanation is that the village began as a socially distanced outlet during the pandemic, and downtown retail no longer needs it.
The official music and activities schedule is still marked "Coming Soon."
Garlic Fest Already Covers Several Blocks
Garlic Fest opens two days after this post goes up, and it is a good look at the footprint the Winter Village is moving toward. The festival is free and runs rain or shine on Friday, October 2, from 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an afterparty from 6 to 9; and Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The City's listing describes more than 100 vendors, two music stages, chef competitions, ticketed tastings, children's activities and a Sizzlin' Latin Quarter.
None of that fits inside Centre Square. Lehighvalleylive.com's 2026 preview puts the festival across the Square, along Northampton Street from North Second to North Fourth and up North Third Street from Ferry to Spring Garden. On a busy Saturday, the Square is the center of a cross-shaped event that runs several blocks in each direction.
Easton's Fall Calendar, Mapped
Here is where the season's events set up. Only a few of them stay in the Square.
| Event | Date | Where it sets up |
|---|---|---|
| Easton Garlic Fest | Oct. 2–4 | Centre Square, Northampton St. from N. 2nd to N. 4th, N. 3rd from Ferry to Spring Garden |
| Faces Places screening, Karl Stirner Arts Trail | Oct. 10, 6 p.m. | Movie Hill by the dog park |
| Artful Dash 5K | Oct. 11, 10 a.m. | Starts behind Don Juan Mex Grill on N. 3rd St., then follows the arts trail |
| Easton Latin Fest | Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Scott Park, Larry Holmes Dr. |
| Apple Jam, Easton Farmers' Market | Oct. 17 | Scott Park |
| The Witches Walk | Oct. 23–24 | Centre Square on Friday, Scott Park on Saturday |
| Pumpkins & Pooches, Easton Farmers' Market | Oct. 31 | Scott Park |
| PA Bacon Fest | Nov. 7–8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Zoned from Centre Square out to Larry Holmes Dr. |
| Easton Winter Village | Nov. 27–Dec. 20 | Smaller ring in Centre Square, Winter Garden on S. 3rd St., decor across downtown |
Scott Park Hosts More of the Season
Every October weekend after Garlic Fest has at least one event at the river end of downtown. The Easton Farmers' Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scott Park on Larry Holmes Drive through December 19. Its calendar includes Apple Jam on October 17 and Pumpkins & Pooches on October 31.
Easton Latin Fest was moved there as well. A September 13 preview announced the festival for September 20, described it as bigger than the 2025 edition and listed more vendors, more entertainment and more children's programming. The organizers say it was postponed because of a storm with rain and heavy winds. The City of Easton's calendar now lists Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Scott Park, with free admission. The festival's own site still says a new date will be announced, so check it before you go. Its proposed lineup includes Hector Rosado y su Orquesta HACHE, Mariachi Juarez International and Las Gitanas de la Cumbia.
The Witches Walk is split across both ends of downtown over two nights. Friday, October 23, in Centre Square brings tarot readers, magicians, fire spinning, street performers and a dance party. Saturday, October 24, moves to Scott Park for family activities, face painting and a costume contest. The organizer listings give different times. Easton Main Street lists 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and Shop Downtown Easton gives a later end time on Friday.
Bacon Fest Lays Out Zones to the River
PA Bacon Fest marks its 15th anniversary on November 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Its 2026 vendor directory divides downtown into lettered zones. Zone A is Northampton Street between Fourth Street and Centre Square. Zone B runs up North Third to Spring Garden, and Zone C runs down South Third to Ferry. Zone N follows Northampton Street to Larry Holmes Drive, and Zone O is Centre Square itself, with a secondary area on Second Street south of Northampton.
The main music stage is at the far end. The 2026 schedule puts the Tito's Vodka Stage at Northampton Street and Larry Holmes Drive, with The Jack Moves at 4 p.m. Saturday and John-Robert at 4 p.m. Sunday. Bacon Fest has used the river end of downtown for years, and that is the same direction the Winter Village is now taking.
Getting In and Out on Festival Weekends
Spreading the events out also spreads out the parking. For Garlic Fest, the organizers list:
- N. Fourth Street and South Third Street garages: $20 all day, credit card only
- Social Security Administration lot, 134 S. Fourth St.: $20 via ParkSmarter
- Larry Holmes Corporate Center: $20 cash
- Northampton County Courthouse lots at Washington and Union streets: $20 via ParkSmarter
- Rideshare drop-off: N. Third and Bushkill streets; Larry Holmes Drive and S. Third Street; Northampton and Sixth streets
The organizers also advertise free City trolley rides from the South Side and West Ward neighborhoods. Lehighvalleylive.com notes a Riverside Way lot across the river in Phillipsburg at $10 for the day through ParkMobile, and says the festival runs no parking shuttles.
Bacon Fest has historically run shuttles. Last year's Plan Your Visit page, dated October 2025, listed lots at Braden Airpark, the Northampton County Courthouse and the William Penn Park & Ride on Emrick Boulevard, with drop-off at Northampton and Fifth streets. Those details had not been updated for 2026 as of this writing, so check the festival site closer to November. For the Winter Village, the official site points to the South Third Street Parking Garage at 123 S. Third St., the N. Fourth Street Garage, and the Courthouse lots on Washington Street at S. Union Street. The Courthouse lots are free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
New Places to Stop Between Events
A spread-out calendar means more walking between events, and several new or growing businesses sit along those routes. Tortuga Club opened July 1 at Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St., serving tacos, tortas and margaritas. Easton Speakeasy & Dining Room at 431 Northampton St. plans ticketed events starting in mid-October. Its Mimi's Drag Brunch Melodies series starts October 18, with more dates on November 15 and December 20.
Farther west, Plants + Coffee at 1458 Northampton St. is taking over the former Mystery Box Games space next door. The expansion will add seating, a test kitchen and a larger Jojo's Book Nook, and the owner hopes to finish by the end of the year. If that schedule holds, the expanded cafe would open during the first Winter Village season designed to send shoppers out into downtown businesses.
Creighton Faust has spent more than 30 years in the Lehigh Valley and follows how changes like these play out on the blocks around Centre Square, Third Street and Larry Holmes Drive. If you own a home within walking distance of these events and want to know how that location affects its value, Creighton Faust offers a complimentary market valuation. Call Creighton today.
