I love Bethlehem and all things Bethlehem. Musikfest is pricey - so tend not to eat there. But there's so much to experience at Musikfest. I went to the comedy show that they held at the Musikfest Cafe. Just love the way things are coming together for lil old Bethlehem. One thing I hate is that each year I am left w/ way too much ticktes that are worth nothing! I just don't understand why we can't use them from year to year. They're still worth the same? Well I've never been stabbed or had a bad experience at Musikfest. I don't live too close by so really I'm not annoyed by it like some other locals are. read more

Beer, food, people watching....IT IS A TRIFECTA! I'm biased because I spent the better part of my college days counting down to this festival and I just love it! Bring cash because almost all of the food and beverages you pay with 'tickets' you exchange the cash for. If you leave without eating Aw Shucks Corn you are not a human. If the 'Bell Guy' is there you are in for a treat! If you see his real face take a picture! It is hotter than hell almost always during their week so make sure to hydrate with water and not just beer. And have fun! read more

Very impressed with the organizers of this event. It's very well run. We use the satellite parking and take the bus in and it's a breeze. Everyone is very friendly and well informed on the venue. They did have a bit of a jam this year with shuttles between sides that I think they could improve, but overall it's well organized. They have a great variety of music and I haven't heard one act that I didn't care for. My only complaint is the mug. They're so big and heavy. I personally would like a smaller option, like the ones they first had when muskiest began, that may or may not be an insulated (but has a lid). I know a lot of others may like to refill less and it's also probably best to keep lines down, but I just can't stand carrying that thing to the point I don't use it at all - then I feel guilty about wasting plastic! :) read more

Musikfest used to be lacking a bit in the credentials, but since the good ol Sands Casino rolled into town.... the band selection seems to have gotten better. read more

Concerts just aren't my thing but Musikfest is a neat experience. There are about a dozen venues featuring different styles of music throughout Bethlehem. The vast majority of the music is free and sooner or later there will be something for everyone. Drawbacks as I see it include riding a shuttle to get to the Steel Mill shows and of course you are at the mercy of the weather. If nothing musically floats your boat, there is always people watching -- plenty of people watching. read more

Great food, great music, great time. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, open-air music festivals in the US, this festival brings a lot to the historic district of Bethlehem. There are always big names headlining the 10 days that it remains open, with almost any type of music you could imagine. Local vendors from the area flood the festival with delicious food and also sell goods of all kinds in tents. There's souvenir mugs one can buy and refill at various beer tents around the festival. This is a good place for family and friends to gather, walk around, and enjoy the music and food over the large festival-designated area. It's only around for once a year and never fails to disappoint. It's great the local residents are able to share this area with festival goers so please appreciate it! read more

I come here every year and will continue to do so. North Side and South Side, two places to venture with different atmospheres. North side is geared towards a younger crowd (i feel) even though I see mixed variations of ages, just because of the bar scene up the street, lot's to do, lots of food. A lot of independent artists/bands playing. Usually a lot more crowded, but definitely a good time. I prefer North Side. South side, where the steel stacks reside is a gorgeous, more family-laid back scene. This is where the big artists play as well as smaller bands. Food can be a little pricey as well as beers, but invest in the musikfest beer mug, in the long run it's worth it, you can bring it back every year and get discounted beer with it. Overall the food is good and you get bigg-er portions for your dollar. At least experience Musikfest once in your life, you will not be disappointed! read more

Want to love it, can't get over the transformation from years ago. High food and drink prices have killed a great day out with the family..... read more

Stroll down the river - good. Listen to favorite songs - very good. Do it Bethlehem, PA - priceless! read more

Musikfest - Splendid! Good and noisy. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

What a blast this is the very best music fest in the world!!! Jam on mighty Jammers~~~ wow so inspired by Veronica and Musikfest..! I wrote a song... and that is not usually my thing... http://youtu.be/okqLUwTdYf0 read more

There is not much more to say about musikfest then what everyone else has already said. Make sure you have your wallet ready. This place gets pricey, but I think it is worth every penny. I haven't been in 4 years based on my job being in a different state and I won't miss musikfest as long as I am within driving distance. Chicken on a stick, beer, mix drink, gyro....repeat. read more

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Artsquest Center and the 2015 Musikfest for such an amazing evening during the free concert series with so many food vendors and retail vendors to choose from. What an awesome experience. I can't wait to go back tonight and finish where I left off. Kudos to all that are involved in making Musikfest so amazing. read more

I enjoy Musikfest very much. You can find many different types of music here. You can get tickets to the popular music artists that perform here every year or you can divulge yourself in the free festivities. If your feeling lucky Sands Casino is a few miles down the road. read more

Best festival yet. Over 500 free performances over 11 days spread across 16 stages. Take the week and enjoy the music, food and fun.

An amazing musical festivity that stretches across North and more year by year across South side Bethlehem. There are numerous acts performing outside for free as well as the huge stage by the steel stacks with the headliners which you need tickets for. A shuttle runs between North and South and is pretty cheap. Grab a mug and get your money's worth with refills at the beer tents. read more

I give Musikfest a rating of 2 Stars ("Meh, I've experienced better") because I HAVE experienced better...at Musikfest in previous years. I've attended Musikfest every year since I first discovered it around 1986. Before those in power made the boneheaded decision to split Musikfest into two different sites a mile apart, I took vacation time and attended seven or eight days of each year's ten-day run. Last year, I was there five days, and, after checking the 2013 schedule, I'm planning on three, maybe four days this year. When Arts Quest split the festival into essentially two smaller festivals a short distance apart and running simultaneously, it pretty much killed Musikfest for me. I have no interst in walking back and forth a mile or so from one site to the other to catch bands I enjoy that are playing on opposite sides of the river, nor do I want to wait to ride a bus back and forth, especially should the weather turn nasty and send everyone heading to the bus stops at once, so I pick one side of the river and just stay there. I notice that the downloadable schedules are offered in individual North Side and South Side versions, so the organizers must recognize that this is what most people do, which means that they recognize that most people "do" only one half of the event. I wonder if that gives them pause. The quality of the acts has markedly declined over the past five or so years, and I've discovered that there's not enough decent stuff on only one side to provide the incentive for me to drive 80 miles to attend as often as I used to. Based on my observations of the crowd size over the past two years, I'm guessing a lot of people are coming to the same conclusion. I have a feeling that eventually I'll be down to zero days a year. I believe that it is Art Quest's plan to transform Musikfest into a gated, admission-charging event, and I see the split as the first step in carrying out that plan to move the entire festival to the south side behind gates. I've loved Musikfest over the years and I hate to trash it, but it is definitely in a dacaying orbit. Before the almighty dollar became the top priority, Musikfest was a great festival, and I truly hope that it can reinvent itself and become great again, but I fear that, should a reinvention occur, the result will be even worse than the present state. On another note, as for those who mention in these reviews that the food is expensive, I don't see it that way. I always went with the idea that I'd spend $20-$30 each day, and I figured I was getting away cheap when I considered the quality of the food (most is superb) and the enjoyment of a day's worth of (free) entertainment. read more

Went to Musikfest for the first time in years and simply won't go again. On a hot Saturday night the "midway" had nothing but greasy-food and beer concessions and the streets are DENSELY packed with hot, sweaty teenagers and low-life older folks who look like they've had a few too many. We heard no music on our walk around except what was played on the PA systems. There may be quieter corners and quieter times to visit but it was a madhouse Saturday night. Those who buy tickets to musical acts or attend during the day time may have a very different experience but no more Musikfest for me. Note: I should add that we were only in the downtown Bethlehem section and did NOT go down to the Steel Stacks area. That experience may be very different from what we found. read more

I love me some Musikfest! After taking a hiatus for a few years (I now live in CT and don't always get to come back home for The Fest), it was nice to make a return trip this year. Things have changed a bit over the years, but all the best things remain the same -- tons of food options and music of every kind. This year, we parked in a garage in the downtown area and paid $10. I am sure that there are cheaper lots somewhere else, but this was pretty convenient, so we didn't mind the price. From there we walked down Main St (where are the teenage kids tend to hang out), and then headed over to Fest Platz and Plaza Tropical (where many food options are). It was 8:00pm on the Saturday of opening weekend of Musikfest at this point, so it was wall to wall people everywhere. There were lines for tickets, lines, for beverages, and lines for food, all were pretty lengthy. So, my one bit of advice would be to come earlier so that you can beat the dinner rush. This is especially true if you want some Aw Shucks corn. This stuff is like pure happiness to most people around here, so the lines were extra long for this stuff. After properly feasting on Fest food, we headed over to what is normally the polka tent at Fest Platz and found out that the Amish Outlaws were playing there instead, score! For those of you who have never heard of these guys, they look like Amish folk, but cover a bunch of cool contemporary songs. They were doing a pretty good job of getting those who were listening pumped up. After that, we walked our way down to Volksplatz, where it was a little less crowded and there was another pretty decent band playing as well. It was a fun night all around and everyone seemed to be having a good time at Musikfest that night. Definitely a must see if you are in Bethlehem during the first few weeks of August! read more

I have a love/hate relationship with musikfest. I am a music lover, love live performances and concerts. However, I hate the heat and humidity and the crowds. I know musikfest can't control the weather and this year it was just bad. I had tickets for Lady A, concert kept being pushed back because of the storm. It's an outdoor show- I get the risks, but by time we got there and they came on the set list was cut short because musikfest ends at 11pm, kind of not fair, I don't see why they couldn't play longer, and then they wonder why ticket sales are down. Personally that makes me not want to play tickets next year because of the what ifs. you want to keep the consumers happy to keep consuming. I think moving the concert to the southside is nice because you can actually see from any seat you purchase but the prices are sky high for a festival for one main act. Secondly whereas on sand island you could purchase lawn seats and just enjoy on a blanket and have that festival experience is lacking. I think they need to rethink some things and they could see sales go up. I have to give major major props to artsquest and musikfest volunteers. While waiting out the storm on Saturday we were in the hallway in the offices for artsquest we were given kind bars and water and use of the restrooms. Everyone was SO FRIENDLY. I can't say enough about how kind they were to keep us cool and happy and safe. Great, friendly, nice people and makes you remember that some strangers can still be kind :) Dierks and Lady A were awesome! read more

Food is great, beer is greater! Love the live music and various genres displayed within each tent/area. The atmosphere is fun and alive. The silent disco was something new and enjoyable. We really appreciated the shuttles and reasonable pricing for them. My only complaint would be the ticket booth lines, they should have more stands, the line took 45 minutes. They should think about adding more interactive attractions. read more

I used to love going to music fest..and we used to go every night just to see cast in bronze. They're not having him back though and that's a disappointment. Plus all the prices go up every year on refreshments. We still go just not nearly as much only to see our favorite acts Who are still there every year but maybe we go three days a year out of 10 read more

Musikfest is great for a day out, lots of different things going on to suit all tastes in arts and music. The food is NOMlicious. It gets really crowded on weekends, so go during the week if you can. Most of the food you have to purchase tickets for which is super annoying. read more

got to visit for the first time this year. saw Reba (was great) other than that it was a strange little experience... it's divided into 2 different areas. might be o.k. if you know your way around Bethlehem....we don't. they had maps showing the "north side" and the "south side", but nothing showing how to get from one to the other. I heard that there were shuttle busses, but didn't see any or anything telling us how to find one. another thing was the food "coupons". fortunately, where we got food took both cash and "coupons", or we would have waited and eaten outside the venue. musikfest has great potential, but I think having the thing divided into two is stupid, considering how much room they had to work with at the Bethlehem steel property. read more

Great Place, I go to Musikfest every year. There is always someone new to see and some yearly staples. It is a quality event for anyone, kids included. The food and drink prices are not cheap, but somehow you need to pay for the event and the wonderful free shows read more

Went to see Sheryl Crow last week at mfest. I've never been before. The bus shuttle was fine but the venue itself, seating wise and drunk patrons wise was not. Including encore the concert was under an hour and a half. She was great but why the short concert? Is it because the tix are cheaper than what I would pay at a bigger venue? Why do people want to see an artist totally inebriated? $6 for a drink of water? Insane. Do yourself a favor and if you want to see a bigger artist like Sheryl pick a different venue. Peace out! read more

I have been attending Musikfest since the 90's and it is a highlight of my summer. However, I miss the Birch Beer venue as well as Cast in Bronze. My husband enjoys the beer and brings his mug that he refills at a pizza place in town for 4 bucks cash, no tickets. We also cut some of the costs of food by going into town where they only take cash. We have to have Aw Shucks corn. I am vegetarian and there are some healthy areas including a café in town that has organic fare. My husband has to get his funnel cake. No complaints about the ticket prices as music is free, after all. Never felt unsafe in the crowd. Have a variety of headliners, but since we are in our mid 60s, enjoy the diversity in the tents more enjoyable. My only wish is that they get Cast in Bronze back! read more

Musikfest sucks. Mr. Jeff Parks is only concerned about the money that gets put into HIS pocket. No regard for the people that live near the venue. People going to the fest take up already precious street parking. They park right up to the driveways and you can not see to get out of the driveways due to the cars. My mother"s car got hit last year as she was trying to get out of her driveway. No citation for the people in the car that hit her even though they had 12 people jammed into a car meant for 5. No she gets a several hundred dollar fine for dangerous merging. Then the residents are responsible for cleaning up the sidewalk in front of their places. IF not, you get a cop at your door threatening you with a fine for littering. Lets really call this what it is Beer Fest,Hooker fest Drunk as&*^%&* fest and lest not forget the drug deals that are made right there in the open in front of cops who look the other way. The residents of Bethlehem get no remuneration from this 10 days of hell. There has been little advertising that I have seen for it this year and the bands that you have to pay to see, I have never heard of 3/4 of them. It has just gone down the tubes in a big way. Way to expensive to bring your family to for the day and eat. Who has that kind of money I dont. This fest needs to be moved over into open grounds like Lehigh University where it is not impacting the general health and well being of the residents. Then let Mr. Parks himself coem and clean up the mess these drunk pigs leave behind read more