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Musikfest returns to Bethlehem from July 31 through Aug. 9. The festival includes 11 ticketed headliner shows at the Wind Creek Bethlehem Steel Stage at PNC Plaza.
The festival opens with a preview night on Thursday ahead of its full July 31- Aug. 9 run.
The rest of the festival remains free to attend. The broader Musikfest footprint offers free programming across Bethlehem’s North and South sides.
ArtsQuest said the 10-day festival will feature more than 400 performers and 500 performances across 16 stages. Fifteen of those stages are free. Last year’s event drew a record 1,449,000 attendees.
Patrick Brogan of ArtsQuest told The Morning Call the festival’s core draw has stayed the same since its 1984 launch: “Music.”
What’s New for Musikfest 2026
The Morning Call reported that about one-third of this year’s lineup is new. Nearly 2,000 artists submitted work for consideration. The free-stage acts include The Verve Pipe and Ryan Cabrera.
The festival also includes themed days and weekends. These include
- Beach Day on Aug. 5
- ’70s Day on Aug. 7
- British Invasion Weekend on Aug. 7-8
- Inclusion Day on Aug. 8
ArtsQuest said the Musikfest website and app will carry schedules, artist information, food vendors, maps, transportation, parking, and weather updates. A new app feature lets users share personalized schedules with friends.
Parking, Shuttles, and Accessibility
ArtsQuest recommends using LANTA service. Parking once is easier than moving a car throughout the day. Brogan said,
“The easiest way to maneuver the festival grounds is by using the LANTA service.”
The Bethlehem Parking Authority will operate six garages with special all-day rates during the festival. ArtsQuest also runs two satellite parking lots with shuttle service. The guide says shuttle pricing is $10 for ages 13 and older and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and younger ride free on an adult’s lap.
Musikfest is cashless. That said, cash can be converted into a reloadable ArtsQuest CashCard. Accessibility features include sensory-friendly Inclusion Zones on both sides of the festival and ListenWIFI at the Levitt Lawn for compatible hearing devices or AirPods.
Festivalgoers should watch the official app and website for schedules, maps, transportation updates, and any day-of changes.
Source: As reported by The Morning Call.
