BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Of all the places to leave your car while you’re at Musikfest, there are your typical garages, larger lots and other parking options available among the action through the Bethlehem Parking Authority.
But have you considered the smaller spots maybe a little farther out from the hustle-bustle of the festival?
Maybe the Mechanic Street Lot #2 (202 Mechanic St.) with $8 event rate parking, the South New Street Garage (324 S. New St.) with its $5 event rate or even the festival lot on Mauch Chunk Road with a free Northside shuttle?
You also could park beyond the city limits and catch a ride in.
And not to mention, some parking amenities around the city will offer a broader shuttle program to run each day, connecting parkers with direct shots to the action.
That particular service is on for weekdays from 3-10 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on the Northside, as well as on the Southside weekdays from 3-10 p.m. and weekends from noon-10 p.m.
“Our primary goal for any festival or event is to get vehicles off the streets as quickly as possible, reducing traffic and congestion throughout the city."Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom
The festival lot on Mauch Chunk Road will feature a free shuttle to and from the North Street Garage with purchase of an event rate ticket. That will run during the festival from 3 p.m.-11 p.m.
If you ride around the city long enough — and maybe even early enough each day — you may find other options, as well. On Thursday evening, there appeared to be $10 parking near Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
Parking options through BPA
As for the Bethlehem Parking Authority, preparing its 10 lots and other areas, arranging a shuttle program and more for the 11-day festival requires extensive planning that starts right after Musikfest ends and continues through the following year, according to BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom.
“Our primary goal for any festival or event is to get vehicles off the streets as quickly as possible, reducing traffic and congestion throughout the city,” Fernstrom said.
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 Southside:
- 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 #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.
More people, more cars
The growth of Musikfest over the years came with more and more guests each year in Bethlehem — and that obviously came with more parkers.
“During the festival, our parking enforcement operations are expanded to accommodate the influx of vehicles into the city,” Fernstrom said.
“It’s our responsibility to safeguard the delicate parking system, ensuring that residents have access to parking and that there is proper meter turnover to support our small businesses.”
Fernstrom said parkers also can expect the city to dish out heftier fines for illegal parking.
Get to where you want to go
Fernstrom expects another successful festival at the city’s newest garage facility at the Polk Street Garage, 413 E. Third St., located within a stone’s throw of SteelStacks.
The garage opened last year, the week of Musikfest.
“As Musikfest has expanded its programming and offerings on the South Side, the parking demands have increased as well. [The Polk Street Garage’s] close proximity and thoughtfully designed ingress and egress options made it a popular choice for attendees last year,” Fernstrom said.
“As with any popular event, restaurant, retail or entertainment option, people will find ways to reach their destination and enjoy themselves, whether it’s parking a few extra blocks away, using ride-sharing services, walking, biking or taking public transportation."Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom
And north of the Lehigh River, one of Downtown Bethlehem’s main garages at 33. W. Walnut St. has been demolished and is slotted for replacement by the end of 2025.
But Fernstrom said there are still ways to get to your favorite things happening over the next 10 days, even if you don’t get an ideal parking spot.
“As with any popular event, restaurant, retail or entertainment option, people will find ways to reach their destination and enjoy themselves, whether it’s parking a few extra blocks away, using ride-sharing services, walking, biking or taking public transportation,” Fernstrom said.
