Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA

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10 Days of Music, Art, Beer and Entertainment in the Lehigh Valley

Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is an annual 10-day musical extravaganza that attracts more than one million people from throughout the US and abroad. Musikfest celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008. Musikfest Bethlehem is one of the largest free music festivals in the United States.

Musikfest 2009 is Over
See You Next Summer - August 2010


In 1984, Musikfest attracted 182,000 people to see and hear 118 performers and 295 performances on six stages. Throughout the first 25 years of the festival, thousands of international acts, local bands, indie groups and solo musicians have performed on the streets and open stages of the festival. Musikfest 1984 poster - Share photos on twitter with TwitpicHundreds more famous artists have performed in ticketed venues each year at Musikfest Bethlehem.

In 2009, the artists lineup at Musikfest Bethlehem was better than ever before, ranging from international name acts to winners of the Mid-Atlantic Band Competition.

Musikfest is all about Music, Art, Beer and Family Friendly Fun. There's no admission charge, no parking fee if you park on the street, and nearly all the entertainment is free. Each day of the festival includes free hands-on art activities for children - but to be honest, even adults enjoy these no-cost projects provided by ArtsQuest for festival-goers.

Musikfest Map - download and print a map of the before you go. to plan your parking area and walking routes to all the fest platz venues.

If you've never visited historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, prepare yourself for a double delight. It's filled with period architectural charm, lovely shops, a wide lamp-lit Main Street and plenty of cultural attractions - it's aptly named America's Christmas City, and you'll love exploring its history and culture any time of the year. In fact, if you visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas you can enjoy the festivities and shopping at Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem.

Bethlehem's Musikfest - Photo Sampler 

Lots of fun for everyone - music, crafts, food, dance and BEER

At Musikfest you'll find lots of food, music, arts and crafts, beer, dancing, free family entertainment, artist demonstrations, concerts and oh, did we mention beer?

Early Years Musikfest Mug circa 1987 by Blue Stone Graphics

Music Fest early festival souvenir mug, smaller and simpler than more recent ins...

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Musikfest 2009 Promo Video - David Cook 

Musikfest Videos - vids from past Musikfest celebrations and connections to this year's Musikfest.

Musikfest 2009 - David Cook

Promotional video for Daivd Cook, Aug.3 at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA.

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Musikfest - Music, Art, Dance, Fireworks, Food and BEER 

Musikfest showcases a diverse collection of musical genres, featuring more than 300 performers from across the country and around the globe. Live musical programs, most of which are free, take place at 14 different indoor and outdoor stages located around the historic city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Each of the 10 nights in this annual festival includes headline acts. Tickets for those shows go on sale early in the year - starting in February or March - and sell out well before the performance date in August. There's also plenty of food, children's activities, and a spectacular closing-night fireworks display.

Musikfest 2009 LIVE WebCam Streaming Video

True to a German style festival, all the venues of Musikfest are named "Platz" and beer flows like water throughout the city. Official Musikfest mugs (generous 22 oz size) get refilled from the taps in strategically located Beer Tents located within the festival grounds. Every year of the festival there's been a new official beer mug issued with a design related to the Musikfest theme. Many long time visitors have a large collection of Musikfest mugs.

Musikfest Video Sampler 

This lens features videos from previous Musikfest events. Musikfest has been held in Bethlehem for 10 days in early August since 1984. Its one of the longest running free music and arts festivals in the USA. Musikfest features world-famous performing artists, world musicians, upcoming acts and local talent in a wide variety of musical styles.

Musikfest Bethlehem 25th Anniversary

Musikfest celebrated 25 years of music and arts in 2008.

What to Know If You Go to Musikfest in Bethlehem 

There's no admission charge to the general festival, which takes place all over the city in open park areas and pavilions under huge tents. Each venue is named as a "platz." There are hundreds of free performances; live entertainment runs daily from noon until 11pm.

Ticketed events (primarily national acts) often sell out before the festival begins. You can check performer lineups, schedules, pricing and purchase tickets online or by phone. If you're a member of ArtsQuest, you can buy tickets before they go on sale to the public.

  • You must park your vehicle and walk to and from various venues. Bethlehem has several public parking lots and/or parking garages. Street parking is permitted (if you can find it) in most areas. Private parking lots abound in the city during the festival. Remote parking lots are also available during the festival. Shuttle service operates from remove parking areas.

  • You're permitted to bring strollers, umbrellas, wheelchairs, chairs, cameras and money.

  • Chairs are available at the stage areas; some seating areas are under tents and some are in direct sun. Bring a hat and/or sunscreen plus water.

  • For all food and beverage purchases you pay with festival tickets that must be purchased from official ticket booths located on the festival grounds. Buy tickets as you enter the festival, then you'll be prepared.

  • Vendors offering food, beverages, snacks and ice cream are located in all major areas. Beer and wine tents are co-located in the food areas.

  • The festival is handicap accessible. Main Street is located uphill from the main festival grounds. It's a rugged climb up the sidewalk or several ramps and flights of stairs - easy if you're young or in good shape, a bit difficult if you have a walking disability. Start at the top on Main Street and work your way downhill toward the festival grounds if you can't climb long flights of stairs, or visit one of the platz areas in the upper city.

  • Portable toilets are readily available at all the festival platz venues.

  • Do not bring bikes, roller blades, skate boards or scooters except those used by persons with a disability.

  • Do not bring food, beverages, coolers or pitchers. If you have a Musikfest official mug, you may bring that into the festival.

  • No pets allowed at Musikfest. Service animals are allowed, but be aware the festival is very crowded and the weather can be extremely hot.

More Musikfest Information

Official "rules" for Musikfest attendees.
Official Musikfest FAQ Page

Joe Walsh Musikfest 2007 

Joe Walsh plays 2 great favorites at Musikfest 2007

Parts of Joe's performance of Life's Been Good and Life in the Fast Lane at Bethlehem's Musikfest in August of 2007

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MusikFest Beer Mugs

Souvenirs - Musikfest Collectibles 

Your purchase helps fund Musikfest

The most popular and coveted collectible souvenir from Musikfest is the official Musikfest Tankard Mug. If you buy a mug (22 oz!) a beer fill up will cost you about 5 bucks (in current festival tickets).

You can find a vast assortment of souvenirs at each annual Musikfest summer event. The selection ranges from trinkets for the children to imprinted mugs, caps, shirts and posters featuring the theme logo and art for the current year.

Strange Fruit Aerial Performers 

Music and Dance on Poles

Strange Fruit @ Musikfest

Strange Fruit is a Melbourne-based performing arts company that produces and performs a remarkable style of work that fuses theatre, dance and circus, using a unique elevated medium. Perched atop 4 metre high flexible poles of original design, the troupe delivers a sublime performance, bending and swaying in the air, captivating and engaging the audience in absolute fascination. Originally based on the image of a field of wheat swaying in the breeze, the poles' extreme strength and flexibility allow the performer to bow to impossible angles, swaying back and forth in a hypnotising dance as the audience looks up in wonder. With a world-renowned repertoire that celebrates a wide variety of themes and stories, the company has achieved near-cult status in almost every continent across the globe. Performing regularly at festivals, special events and private functions, their sublime, hypnotic beauty is truly remarkable and must be experienced to appreciate its full effect. From their website: http://www.strangefruit.net.au/ourwork/about

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Musikfest Connections - Links to More Musikfest Information 

Musikfest web site, Musikfest blog, Band links and more

Check out these pages for Musikfest videos, Musikfest updates, reviews and stories.
Musikfest Video Showcase
MusikFest showcases hundreds of bands, ensembles and solo acts representing all musical genres on outdoor stages and indoor venues during its 10-day run in this beautiful and historic city.
Musikfest on MySpace
MySpace profile for MUSIKFEST with pictures, videos, personal blog, interests, information about me and more.
Mcall.com: Bethlehem Daily Star presents FESTBLOG: the 2008 Musikfest Blog
Festblog 2008, brought to you by the Bethlehem Daily Star, offers up a sampling of the sounds, sights, tastes and weirdly pungent smells of the 25th annual Musikfest -- the biggest party in Bethlehem, Pa. Check back for reviews, photos, polls, concert picks and updates on things to do at the Fest.
Musikfest 2008: WFMZ-TV 69News
Just one weekend to go before this year's Musikfest is a wrap. Organizers say big names are bringing in big money on the concert scene. And they already have plans to put the cash to good use.
Musikfest Concert Sampler
Last.fm concert page for Avril Lavigne at ArtsQuest (Bethlehem, PA) on 1 Aug 2008. With Stone Temple Pilots, Live, Jethro Tull, Boston, Kool & The Gang, Collective Soul, Poison, Citizen Cope, Earth, Wind & Fire, Edwin McCain, Lonestar, .38 Special, John Fogerty, Over the Rhine, Janis Ian and hundreds more.

Mamadou Diop Music and Interview 

World Music from MusikFest

MAMADOU - WLVT Interview

This interview was broadcast in Bethlehem, PA during the Bethlehem Musikfest, August 7, 2001. It is a great overview of what the MAMADOU Band is all about (we were still called "Mamadou Diop and the Jolole Band" at the time).

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Volunteers Make Musikfest Work 

Without volunteers, Musikfest Would Not Exist

Volunteers are at the heart and soul of Musikfest. Musikfest recruits thousands of volunteers every year - individuals and corporate teams.

Volunteers run sites, sell beverages, manage stages and operational functions of the festival and help with marketing, cleanup and more. New volunteers are always welcomed. Anyone can be a Musikfest volunteer and there's a wide variety of volunteer positions available every year.

Chicken Dance Finals Video 

Competitors Dance the Polka Chicken Dance at Musikfest

2003 East Coast Polka Championships Chicken Dance Winners

The first place performance at the 2003 East Coast Polka Championships Chicken Dance Competition held at Bethlehem Musikfest. Long live the Mummers' Strut!!

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How many times have you visited Musikfest in Bethlehem? 

What's your favorite part of the festival?

Share your Musikfest comments and stories here!

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BEST of Musikfest Poll 

What's the Best Part of Musikfest?

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Alzonia/Steel Source 

Calypso Steel Band Performance at Musikfest

Alzonia/Steel Source@ Musikfest 2007 "Ol Time Calypso"

Alzonia: Vocals, Steel Pan/ Arnez: Vocals, Bass/ Najib: Vocals Drums/ Barry: Vocals, Guitar. Alzonia/Steel Source@ Musikfest 2007 Philadelphia: Funky Reggae, Soca, Calypso

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MusikFest Poll 

If you've attended MusikFest in Bethlehem, voice your opinion here

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Collective Soul at Musikfest 

For this venue (Sand Island stage) you gotta get tickets ...

Collective Soul - The World I Know (live)

A short clip of Collective Soul singing The World I Know at Musikfest 2008

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Driving directions 

Weather in Bethlehem, PA 

Current weather conditions in Bethlehem, PA (18015)

Local Pollen Reports

24°F (Feels like 24°F)

Last update: 12/18/09 11:51 AM EST

Humidity: 40%
Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 7°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.23in falling
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: calm From: Airport Conditions
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Today


Cloudy
High: 31°F
Low: 24°F
Sunrise: 7:20 AM
Sunset: 4:36 PM

Saturday
Dec 19 


Partly Cloudy
High: 29°F
Low: 24°F
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset: 4:37 PM

Sunday
Dec 20 


PM Snow
High: 31°F
Low: 19°F
Sunrise: 7:22 AM
Sunset: 4:37 PM

Monday
Dec 21 


AM Snow
High: 34°F
Low: 20°F
Sunrise: 7:22 AM
Sunset: 4:38 PM

Runa Pacha 

A Festival Favorite - Look for them on Main Street

Runa Pacha "America" Dancing Musikfest 2008 Bethlehem PA

Runa Pacha "America" Dancing Musikfest 2008 Bethlehem PA

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Arts and Entertainment in Bethlehem, PA 

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Arts & Entertainment in 18015

Wired Gallery and Cafe (Bethlehem)  
"So many of the reviews of this unassuming coffeeshop make me cringe deeply. While those addressing the vegan-friendly options range from exciting to..." more
Boyd Theatre (Bethlehem)  
"Just an update: the matinee price is now $5. FIVE." more
Touchstone Theatre (Bethlehem)  
"As a theater minor at Lehigh we saw tons of shows here and some of the lucky ones got to help behind the scenes. This is a great local theare company that..." more
Banana Factory (Bethlehem)  
"On the first Friday of every month in the summer, plus other special events, the Banana Factory opens it's studios to the public. I suggest Scott Atiyeh in..." more
Godfrey Daniels Coffee House (Bethlehem)  
"What??? How is it that NOBODY has yelps Godfey daniels? I mean, this place is FAMOUS - and rightly so. SOme of the best unknown, soon-to-be-known and..." more
SouthSide Film Festival (Bethlehem)  
"The film festival is such a great event every June. Independent films from all over the world are shown during the five days that the film festival runs. I..." more
Stone Soup Studios (Bethlehem)  
"Stopped in on a recent first friday while waiting for a table at the thai kitchen. Friendly atmosphere with pottery, jewelery, handbags, and a few..." more
Monsoon (Bethlehem)  
"Love this place! This a great local gallery with print and original works from local artists for sale. One of the many interesting places on the Southside." more
The Celtic Classic (Bethlehem)  
"This event seemingly gets better and better with each passing year. It's getting so big, that I'd almost say it's at the point where it's outgrowing the..." more
Zoellner Arts Center (Bethlehem)  
"Nice smaller venue on Lehigh University's campus which usually attracts an older crowd." more
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Regional Sightseeing and Cultural Events 

ABE, Lehigh Valley, Reading Area Things to Do

The Lehigh Valley and its neighboring communities offer a wealth of events and attractions if you need a break from all the music and beer or if you want to plan your trip to coincide with events before, during or after the festival.

Country Fairs
Reading Fair
Kutztown Fair

Tourism Agencies
Reading Berks Visitors Bureau Events Calendar
Lehigh Valley Events Calendar

Musikfest Guestbook 

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Mike Dugan 

Crosscut Saw

Crosscut Saw - Musikfest 2006 - Mike Dugan

Mike Dugan of the Blues Mission sat in with the East Hills Middle School Guitar camp students at their concert at Musikfest 2006.

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Destination Travel - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Tourism 

There's plenty for tourists to do and visitors to enjoy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania all year long.

Latest news about Bethlehem, PA 

Bethelhem is a city located in the Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania

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Bethlehem, PA Stats 

The population of 18015 is 37,504.

That's #2536 out of all 42,305 zip codes.

64% of the population is white, which is 10 points less than the national average.

The average household income in 18015 is $35,579, which is $5,881 more than the typical average.

This contributes to the average house being worth $92,100. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 17% from the typical value.

Men make up 42% of the population, and the typical age in this part of PA is 30.2.

Stats about: Bethlehem, PA

Population: 37,504
Number of Households: 11,315
Average House Value: $92,100
Average Income per Household: $35,579
Elevation: 211 ft

Population Breakdown:

Population Chart

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