BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Musikfest is expected to again draw a million or more people over its 11-day run, which started with a preview night Thursday and kicks off in full today, Friday, Aug. 1.
So festers may want to draft a plan to help them get around the city.
Here's some information to help:
Parking
Parking can turn into something of a madhouse during Musikfest, as people take creative liberties to find somewhere to leave their car.
'Festers who don't want to risk a parking ticket, rise before the sun to get a nice on-street spot or park a mile or more away may want to consider some of the paid lots.
Even those spots can fill up quickly, however.
All-day parking runs $15 at the North Street Garage and the Main Street Commons parking deck on North Side and the Riverport Garage and the Polk Street Garage on South Side.
"The addition of the Polk Street Garage in 2023 has also been a welcome parking improvement, especially as ArtsQuest continues to expand its presence and programming on the South Side."Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steve Fernstrom
"The addition of the Polk Street Garage in 2023 has also been a welcome parking improvement, especially as ArtsQuest continues to expand its presence and programming on the South Side," Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said.
However, there are cheaper options for people willing to park a little further away.
All-day parking in Mechanic Street Parking Lot No. 2 (between Taylor and Webster streets) on South Side is available for $8.
All-day parking at $5 is available a little further out at the Mauch Chunk Road parking lot on North Side and the South New Street Garage on Southside.
A free shuttle runs between the Mauch Chunk Road lot and the North Street Garage.
Public transit
For people who don't want to deal with the parking mess or want to drink without getting behind the wheel, public transit is an option.
TransBridge offers two shuttle buses connecting the festival grounds to auxiliary parking lots outside the city.
Round trips on the routes cost $9 for adults and $7 for ages 3-12 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Ages 2 and younger ride free, provided they sit on an adult's lap.
The TransBridge buses run from 1525 Valley Center Parkway, Hanover Township, Northampton County, to the Colonial Industrial Quarter on North Side and from Penn State-Lehigh Valley's campus at 2809 Saucon Valley Road to the SteelStacks campus on South Side.
"We’ve leveraged our historically underutilized parking assets ... by promoting walkability and strong connections to public transit through our great partners at LANTA."Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steve Fernstrom
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority also is offering its normal bus routes through the area.
Its two main ones — the Easton-to-Trexlertown Blue Line and Whitehall-to-Wind Creek Casino Green Line — run every half-hour or so during peak hours. An all-day bus pass costs $4.
"Rather than overbuilding our parking system, we’ve leveraged our historically underutilized parking assets, which are both convenient and accessible, by promoting walkability and strong connections to public transit through our great partners at LANTA," Fernstrom said.
If you're traveling between the festival grounds, LANTA service is free on the Green Line, Blue Line and the limited-time Gold Line, a shuttle service between Wind Creek and Shuttleplatz, AKA Spring and Conestoga streets.
Riders leaving the grounds are required to pay.
Pedalplatz
Motor vehicles aren't the only options for reaching Musikfest.
Organizers have designated Pedalplatzes — bicycle parking — on both festival campuses.
The North Side Pedalplatz is south of Plaza Tropical, not far from the D&L Trail and Sand Island. The South Side location is near Bethlehem Visitor Center on the SteelStacks campus.
Cyclists who aren't comfortable sharing busy roads with cars can consider taking the Bethlehem Greenway or the D&L Trail to reach the festival grounds.
More dedicated cyclists may consider riding from Canal Park in Allentown (4.4 miles away) or from the D&L Trail trailhead off Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township (about 5 miles) to beat the traffic.
Be warned, the option isn't for everyone. Musikfest often involves some combination of storms, intense summer heat, day drinking and festival food.
Adding bicycle rides into the mix can lead to undesirable outcomes.
Cyclists should consider bringing plenty of water, practice moderation and check the forecast before heading out.
