Musikfest, the only music festival to be twice named the No. 1 Music Festival in North America by the USA Today/10Best readers’ poll, will take place Aug. 6-15.

This festival will feature headliners, food vendors and free performances on stages spread throughout the city of Bethlehem.

“This time last year, doors to arts and culture venues throughout the world were closing – some of them for good,” Kassie Hilgert, President & CEO of ArtsQuest said. “We had no idea where we would be a year from then, but we knew for certain that nonprofit organizations like ours, especially in the arts world, were going to be one of the hardest hit. After all we’ve gone through together as a community, we are so proud to be partnering with the city of Bethlehem, and all our wonderful volunteers, sponsors and supporters, to put on the Musikfest we all know and love, once again.”

The music

Darius Rucker will kick off the festival with a special preview night Aug 5. Tickets for the show originally scheduled for 2020 will be honored.

Wind Creek Steel Stage performances during the festival will include:

• Phillip Phillips - Friday, Aug. 6

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Saturday, Aug. 7

• Sam Hunt - Sunday, Aug. 8

• Shinedown - Monday, Aug. 9 (previously purchased tickets will be honored)

• Jimmie Allen - Tuesday, Aug. 10

• Colin Hay Band - Wednesday, Aug. 11

• KT Tunstall - Thursday, Aug. 12

• Zedd - Friday, Aug. 13

• The Wood Brothers - Saturday, Aug. 14

Headliners that are being rescheduled to 2022 include Willie Nelson, Poison and Kelsea Ballerini. All previously purchased tickets for these shows will be honored and dates will be announced shortly.

ArtsQuest will notify all ticket holders with details outlining next steps, including an option for those who want to support Musikfest by donating the cost of their tickets back to the nonprofit ArtsQuest.

Tickets to Sam Hunt, Zedd, The Wood Brothers and KT Tunstall will go on sale to ArtsQuest members beginning June 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 4 at 10 a.m.

Jimmie Allen, Phillip Phillips, Colin Hay Band and Preservation Hall Jazz Band tickets will go on sale to ArtsQuest members beginning June 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets will go on sale to the public on June 11 at 10 a.m.

In addition, Musikfest is proud to offer more than 300 free performances.

This year’s artists will include Igor and the Red Elvises, Jimmy and the Parrots, Philadelphia Funk Authority, The Sofa Kings, Seth Witcher, Sunny War, We Banjo 3 and many more.

THE ‘FEST

“We are working in partnership with ArtsQuest and our community public health and safety partners to put on the safest festival possible in order to support small business, tourism and economic development,” Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez said. “For more than three decades, Musikfest has brought millions of people to Bethlehem. Now, more than ever, it is important to support ArtsQuest including the performers, artists, vendors and small businesses in any capacity possible.”

For the safety of all artists, community members, guests and vendors, ArtsQuest will continue to follow the latest CDC, state and city health department standards.

The festival will take place both in the Historic Moravian District and SouthSide Arts District of the city of Bethlehem. Although this year will be slightly modified, the organization is thrilled to offer more than a dozen venues.

Second only to the music at Musikfest are the foods of the ‘fest.

Patrons will be able to enjoy a variety of food and beverage options, including festival favorites Aw Shucks Roasted Corn, Island Noodles and Heaven on a Bun, just to name a few. All participating food vendors will be announced later this summer. ArtsQuest’s restaurant Palette & Pour will also be available for private parties.

The impact

“As a historic Bethlehem business owner, I’m delighted that Musikfest will be happening again this summer,” Neville Gardner, owner of Donegal Square and McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub on Main Street said. “I believe that Musikfest has been one of the greatest marketing devices for small businesses in Bethlehem and we look forward to the influx of visitors again this August.”

ArtsQuest and the city of Bethlehem annually welcome approximately one million people for Musikfest, with visitors coming from across the country and around the globe. Established in 1984, the festival provides opportunities for hundreds of performers, as well as local and regional small businesses, to support their livelihood via performances, food stands, artisan booths and more. Approximately 65 percent of artists each year are from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding Mid-Atlantic Region, while 70 percent of vendors are from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region. Overall, the festival and its patrons had an economic impact of $77 million on the Lehigh Valley in 2019.

“Musikfest is not only the dose of normalcy we all so desperately need right now, but it’s also a ray of hope for the local businesses, artists and economy it supports,” Hilgert said. “While this festival attracts millions of tourists to Bethlehem every year, it also creates lifelong memories. We are so eager to bring back this beloved cultural celebration to our community.”

Musikfest 2021 dates are Aug. 6-15, with a special preview night on Aug. 5.

For more information, visit musikfest.org. Additional details on Musikfest offerings will be announced throughout the summer.