One of the Lehigh Valley’s biggest annual traditions returns this week as Musikfest kicks off another 10-day run packed with live music, food, art and entertainment.
Hosted by ArtsQuest, Musikfest 2026 runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 9, with a special Preview Night on Thursday, July 30. Founded in 1984, the festival has grown into what organizers describe as the nation’s largest free music festival, drawing more than 1 million visitors to Bethlehem each year. Last year, the festival set a record for attendance with nearly 1.45 million attendees.
What is Musikfest?
The festival spans both Bethlehem’s North Side and Southside, transforming much of the city into a sprawling celebration of music, food, culture and visual arts.
This year’s event will feature more than 400 performers delivering more than 500 performances on 16 stages throughout the city. Fifteen of those stages offer free entertainment…