Downtown Easton will transform into a celebration of sport, art, and music when the Easton Criterium returns Sunday, May 24, 2026. The event, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, features world-class cycling alongside a full day of festival activities.

Produced by the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) and Long Tail Productions, the event combines professional bike racing with live entertainment, local vendors, skateboarding activations, and various food and drink experiences along the downtown course.

“The Easton Criterium is more than a bike race,” said Joe Dimeck, special events manager at GEDP. “It has become one of the region’s most exciting summer kickoffs — a day when downtown Easton becomes a fun-filled amusement zone filled with world class cycling and incredible tailgates delivered by all our fantastic course-side restaurants, among other things.”

The technical course requires riders to balance aggression with strategic pacing. Spectators can participate in fan-driven “primes,” which offer impromptu cash prizes to riders who finish specific laps in the lead.

New to this year’s schedule is the Easton Crit Block Party on the 300 block of Northampton St. beginning at 4 p.m. The block party includes a skateboarding competition and a concert featuring SKORTS and SNACKTIME starting at 7 p.m. Additionally, artists from the Alternative Gallery will host painting and craft demonstrations, while Homebase and Push Ahead will offer a children’s skateboarding workshop in Centre Square.

“The Criterium is a great illustration of what we’re building in Easton,” said Jared Mast, executive director of GEDP. “When you combine world-class entertainment with local culture and a community that shows up in full force, you get a day that’s genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else.”

The event includes a free community ride on the closed race course and professional races reaching speeds of more than 40 mph.

Admission is free for spectators. The event also features the People’s Picnic in Larry Holmes Plaza, a community potluck-style gathering. While the general event is free, VIP experiences including an open bar and complimentary food are available for purchase.

Official hotel accommodations are provided by the Grand Eastonian, located directly on the race course.