BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A safe space for sobriety, cash prizes, classic acts and giant dinos are some of the attractions expected to draw crowds to America's largest ungated music festival this year.
Those attractions, plus more than 522 free musical performances, will be part of the entertainment at Musikfest, which kicks off its 11-day run with a preview night starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. It will run through Aug. 10.
Last year, Musikfest's 41st year drew 1,020,000 attendees from 48 states and 10 countries to Bethlehem's north side and the SteelStacks campus on the South Side.
Here's what's in store for 2025, plus some parking and crowd tips from the pros.
15 stages, Main acts
There will be 15 free stages on Bethlehem’s North and South sides showcasing more than 400 artists across multiple genres, plus the ticketed headliner main Steel Stage.
Headliners this year include Megan Moroney today, Thursday, July 31; Riley Green on Friday, Aug. 1; the Avett Brothers on Saturday, Aug. 2; Darius Rucker on Sunday, Aug. 3; The Black Crowes on Monday, Aug. 4; Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 5; Nelly on Wednesday, Aug. 6; Gilberto Santa Rosa on Thursday, Aug. 7; Third Eye Blind on Friday, Aug. 8; Jordan Davis on Saturday, Aug. 9; and The Black Keys on Sunday, Aug. 10.
Going cashless
Leave the cash at home.
For the first time in its history, Musikfest will go cashless across official food and drink vendors.
Attendees can pay with credit or debit cards or with an ArtsQuest CashCard — a reloadable card that can be topped off with cash at designated booths and used anywhere on the festival grounds.
The cash card does not expire and can be used at ArtsQuest year-round. It can be monitored via QR code.
New food, corn-eating contest
Along with fan favorites such as Hogar Crea, Island Noodles and Heidi's Strudel, new food vendors have signed on in 2025.
There's 4 Raices Tacos, which previously pulled up to ArtsQuest's TacoFest and will sell its authentic street tacos (carne asada, pollo asado).
Marley's Kitchen and Bar will serve up Caribbean-American food (jerk cheesesteaks, jerk pepper steak, wings and ribs).
For some Colombian-style arepas, try MozzArepas. The food truck grills its stuffed arepas with mozzarella cheese and meats and chicken of your choice.
Also new this year: Kou Kitchen offers West African dishes (gluten-free available), including beef kebabs and fried fish.
There also will be Red Cedar Grille (cheeseburgers, brisket), Philly Pretzel Factory, K2 Creamery (sweet treats for the over-21 crowd), and Woods Ice Cream.
For a lineup of food and beverage options, visit the festival's food page.
BMX riders, classical music
From towering prehistoric beasts to classical tunes, Musikfest 2025’s free programming will offer something for everyone.
Returning after a 10-year hiatus is SAURUS by Close-Act Theater.
The towering, roaming dinosaur-like creatures will take over Main Street twice daily from Thursday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 10.
Thrillseekers may enjoy the Monster Energy BMX stunt shows, which will take place on the last weekend of the festival at Handwerkplatz.
Shows take place each day at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Aug. 9-11.
After the BMX show, you can stay for breakdancing, live graffiti art and free Monster Energy drink samples at Plaza Tropical.
For those seeking a more serene experience, the Vesper Series, held in the historic Central Moravian Church, features classical and chamber music performances at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4-Friday, Aug. 8.
Parking, shuttles
Getting to Musikfest can be accessed via LANTA’s Blue and Green Lines.
The routes will take fans into Bethlehem, where the LANTA Gold Line will offer a shuttle between the North and South sides of the city.
Prefer to drive?
There are two satellite parking lots for festival-goers, including the Valley Center Parkway (1525 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem) and Penn State Lehigh Valley (2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley).
From there, shuttles will pick up attendees.
City parking garages will offer flat-fee rates during the festival.
North Bethlehem will feature the following garages and lots at a $15 event rate:
- Main Street Commons Garage (559 Main St.)
- North Street Garage (85 W. North St.)
- Broad Street Lot (55 E. Broad St.)
- Mauch Chunk Road Lot (1150 Mauch Chunk Rd.)
- West Union Boulevard Lot (121 W. Union Blvd.)
And along the city’s South Side:
- Polk Street Garage (413 E. 3rd St.) ($15)
- Riverport Garage (11 W. 2nd St.) ($15)
- South New Street Garage (324 S. New St.) ($5)
- East Third Street Lot (24 E. 3rd St.) ($15)
- Mechanic Street Lot No. 2 (202 Mechanic St.) ($8)
If a garage ends up full and closes, monthly garage passholders should notify the gate attendant to claim a reserved space, according to the BPA website.
Safe space for sobriety
A new plaza, across from ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Soberplazt — will offer a designated alcohol-free space designed for those in recovery, the sober-curious and anyone in need of a peaceful break from the festivities.
Just beside Air Products Americaplatz, SoberPlatz will provide a furnished spot to encourage conversation and connection.
Soberplazt was the idea of Northampton County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner and is sponsored with support from Sync Recovery, a nonprofit experienced in facilitating sober spaces at public events.
Free wifi, Musikfest app
Cell service can be spotty on the SteelStacks campus, so stay connected via the free festival-wide wifi courtesy of Service Electric.
To connect, look for networks labeled “Levitt Lawn” or “Musikfest Free WiFi,” depending on your location.
The official Musikfest app also is a helpful tool that offers a personalized schedule planner and real-time alerts (the planner updates in real time, so if an artist gets rescheduled or a surprise show pops up, you'll be in the know).
The app also boasts an interactive festival map, safety and weather updates, plus concert giveaways.
Comedy shows, artist talks
While Musikfest is known, of course, for its massive lineup of live music, the festival also promises a barrel of laughs with its Comedyplatz shows at the Ice House (56 River St., Bethlehem).
Shows run at 7 an 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays each weekend, and every ticket is free. Performances at 4 p.m. Saturdays are family-friendly.
Also, at the Banko Alehouse Cinemas in ArtsQuest Center, there will be comedy performances at 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 9.
Art aficionados can meet the artists behind Musikfest's posters from 2019 to 2024 — including 2025's Musikfest logo designer, Mallory Zondag — at a free artist talk at 6 p.m. July 31 in Banko Alehouse Cinema.
Musikfest’s interactive displays will include an exhibition from Nazareth-based Martin Guitars, along with a Yuengling Experience and a chance to win prizes from Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.
Along with the usual array of street performers, art exhibitions, and art activities for children, Musikfest 2025 also will feature Artie’s Hoot and Seek, a festival-wide scavenger in which guests search for the elusive Musikfest mascot Artie the Owl each day.
Winners will score front-row seats to a 2026 headliner show of their choice.
Rucker's raffle
Also new: for the first time in Musikfest history, festivalgoers will have a chance to win cash and support the festival’s mission during one of its biggest shows of the year.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the night of Darius Rucker’s headliner show, Musikfest will roll out a raffle-style fundraiser under its newly acquired small games of chance license.
The top prize will be $1,000 cash, with seven additional cash prizes awarded. Tickets cost $10 or three for $20.
The raffle booth will be along First Street, just outside the Steel Stage entrance.
Although Musikfest is cashless this year, the raffle tickets can only be bought with cash or check.
An important note: Tickets won’t be sold inside the concert venue — only along the street in designated raffle areas.
Organizers say the raffle offers a new approach: a fun, low-cost way to contribute to the festival’s mission while having a chance to walk away with extra spending money.
“This is something completely new for us,” ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curtis Mosel said.
“It’s not just about raising money — it’s about giving our audience an experience, and maybe even a surprise win. And it helps support everything that makes Musikfest what it is.”
Make your own Musikfest mug
Creativity will take on a whole new shape — literally — with festival-goers taking home a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir by crafting their very own Musikfest cup through the Hot Glass Experience on the SteelStacks campus.
The workshop will let attendees mold molten glass into a festival glass mug (it's not refillable).
Sessions run every 20 minutes, Friday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 9.
The cost is $80 per cup.
Avoid the crowds
If you plan to head to Musikfest 2025, Mosel offers a few tips on how to make the most of your visit — especially if you are coming with family or a big group.
“Come during the day, during the week if you can,” Mosel said.
“It’s not as crowded. You have the opportunity to see a lot more, move around a lot easier — especially if you have a stroller or a couple of kids in tow."
While the vibe during weekday afternoons is more laid-back and family-friendly, the weekend crowds can be intense, particularly Saturday evenings, Mosel said.
“The North Side at 8 o’clock is packed,” he said.
“You just should be in the know because if big, dense crowds aren’t your thing, that might not be the best time.”
That said, for many, those big crowds and packed stages are part of the appeal.
“There’s a great band on every corner, people hitting the food vendors, the energy is high — it’s what some folks come for," he said.
Prefer a slightly quieter experience without sacrificing live music?
Another insider tip: Head to AmericaPlatz on the South Side, where you often can catch incredible free shows with a little more breathing room.
For info on Musikfest or additional tips, visit the festival website.
