Musikfest Bethlehem - Beer, Music, Art

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.

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.

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 free musical performance 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 bicycles, 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 and get it filled at a bargain rate at the official beer vendor tents.


• 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.
Musilkfest Handwerkplatz Artists and Fine Handmade Crafts
Official Musikfest FAQ Page

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.

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.

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