Arts & Culture

Organizers had hinted that this year's crowds were expected to break records. On Tuesday, ArtsQuest confirmed it. More than 1.3 million visited Bethlehem during the 11 nights of Musikfest 2023.

The opening line of The Band's song "The Weight" — “I pulled into Nazareth/Was feelin' about half past dead” — has again put the spotlight on the Northampton County borough with the death of its writer, Robbie Robertson.

The time-lapse was shot from the weather camera atop the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus.

The 40th Musikfest drew to a successful close on Sunday night in Bethlehem. The nation's largest open-gate free music festival delivered more than 500 free performances, plus paid-ticket headliners. Organizers believe a record of roughly 1.25 million attended the 11-day event. An official count is expected to be announced Tuesday.

The Grammy-winning band closed out the 11-day spread with a 90-minute set of their biggest hits and covers of The Eagles and Journey.

Giuseppe Iatarola, 11, of Hellertown, is a widely known gearhead looking to make a mark on the automotive industry with his YouTube channel and MotorWeek segment.

In a stripped down production that felt custom-made for the Musikfest stage, Morris capped a 17-song set with three songs that put a rush of energy into the crowd as the skies opened up over Bethlehem.

Musikfest attracts tens of thousands of people to the city each day during its 10-day run. Officials said they’re continuously working to lessen the event’s impact on the environment.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Saturday, Aug. 12.

The 2023 Alburtis Community Days, a sprawling event of activities and live music, is set to take place at the Alburtis Area Community Center on Saturday, driven by the community center's new board

The legendary guitarist brings her Nancy Wilson's Heart tour to Wind Creek on Sunday, June 18.

Cast in Bronze performer Frank DellaPenna says Musikfest has “invited some vintage acts for the celebration including Cast in Bronze. Frank DellaPenna has agreed to come out of retirement to perform August 4,5,6 at Musikfest."

Allentown Fair will have its first hip-hop headliner in 30 years and two rap acts. Musikfest will offer rapper G-Eazy and R&B favorites Keith Sweat and Monica.

Saturday marked the second annual DeVonta Smith and Friends Celebrity Softball game, which raised funds for local charities while pitting a team full of Eagles against Team Dotson's Lehigh Valley alum.

Communal Supper Club dinners at Northampton Community College partner with different local vendors to highlight their ingredients and show off all the Lehigh Valley has to offer.

The festival will feature 61 films that cover diverse topics such as gender equality and LGTBQ+ rights.

The event featured drag performances, kids' face painting and a doggie drag.

The Hellertown concert series features live music, food trucks and adult beverage vendors. Admission is free, and attendees can purchase food and beverages on site.

The Bach Choir rings in 125th anniversary with ambitious projects.

Get to know the neighborhood at the first annual block party from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 11.

Watch a performance from the Met Opera House on the big screen at the concert hall in Allentown on Sunday, June 11.