Musikfest History and Facts, Pennsylvania

Musikfest 2011 begins on the first Friday in August in the Lehigh Valley town of Bethlehem. Just outside the scenic Poconos, this town has deep, historic roots, and German heritage forms the basis for this ten-day music festival. But polka music is just the beginning of the music—the festival includes all types of musicians in all genres. Every year, the festival includes big-name musicians, the top-tier performers in country, rock, and contemporary music, along with a host of local performers.

Musikfest History and Facts

Musikfest has been an August tradition since 1984. Like many Pennsylvania events, this one has expanded and grown even bigger and better over the years. Headlines as diverse as the Stone Temple Pilots, Carrie Underwood, and George Clinton have been headliners. While music is the central part of the celebration, the festival also includes marketplace shopping, kids games, and plenty of fun.

Tickets to the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Music Festival

As a collection of concerts, Musikfest 2011 tickets are sold for individual shows, with different prices depending on the seats and the show. Some of the afternoon shows have special kids' packages available, while other shows offer VIP packages that combine tickets to the Bethlehem Pennsylvania music festival with a host of other perks. Many of the events on the schedule are free of charge. All you need to do is come and have fun.

Directions to Musikfest

Two of the festival venues are located on Bethlehem's south side—the main stage, the Sands Steel Stage, is located at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks and Americanplatz is nearby at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. The rest of the festival happens at the north-side historic district. From SteelStacks, take First Street west and cross the Lehigh River at the Fahey Bridge or the Hill to Hill Bridge. From there, you'll find many of the Musikfest venues sprinkled throughout downtown Bethlehem, with parking available at many sites.

Starting in Scranton, head south into Bethlehem, nestled in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. Follow Interstate 380 until you reach I-80. Merge onto the new highway and head east until Exit 302 A, U.S. Highway 209/Pennsylvania Highway 33. Follow the route until Highway 33 splits, which you'll take into Bethlehem. From Wilkes-Barre, follow I-476 until Highway 22, which will continue to the area of Bethlehem Pennsylvania Music Festival.

Lodging near Musikfest

It's easy to find Pennsylvania hotels within minutes of the Musikfest events and venues. The Comfort Suites University, at 120 West Third Street, is located within walking distance of Lehigh University and minutes from Interstate 78 and the Lehigh Valley Airport. This list of amenities at this 124-room hotel is long and includes transportation to and from the airport, a continental breakfast buffet, and wireless Internet, all at no extra charge. The hotel also offers stay-and-play packages with the nearby Sands Casino.

Another choice for lodging near the Bethlehem Pennsylvania music festival, the Best Western Lehigh Valley is easy to access from Highway 22 at 300 Gateway Drive. Its guestrooms, which number 192 in total, have a king-size bed or double beds. Some of the upgraded king rooms have whirlpool tubs, and all of the rooms have kitchenettes. If you don't feel like cooking, the onsite restaurant offers full-service for all three meals, and a pub is open from lunch until late night. Like the Comfort Suites, this hotel also is pet-friendly.