FAQs

General Festival Info

What are the dates of Musikfest 2008?
Aug. 1-10

What are the festival’s hours?

Musikfest is open 5-11 p.m. Aug. 1 and noon-11 p.m. Aug. 2-10. Alcohol vendors serve until 10:30 p.m., Food and Beverage Ticket booths are open until 10:45 p.m. and all other food and merchandise vendors are open until 11 p.m.

Is there a Musikfest box office on site?

You may purchase tickets at our Musikfest box office by the RiverPlace entrance, located at Main and Lehigh streets. Hours to purchase tickets are Aug. 1, 5-9:30 p.m. and Aug. 2-10, noon to 9:30 p.m.

Can I bring my dog to the festival?

Sorry, pets, other than personal assistance dogs, are not allowed on the festival grounds.

What kinds of foods are at the festival?

Please refer to our Food page.

I am a performer. How do I perform at Musikfest?

Please see our Applications page.

Where’s Lost and Found at?

It’s located at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. Number is 610-332-1300. We hold lost and found items for 90 days following the festival.

They’re predicting rain. Will the festival be open?

Musikfest concerts go on rain or shine, but may be cancelled in the event of severe lightning, which may be a safety issue. In the event of inclement weather, please check the website www.musikfest.org for updates on any shows that may be cancelled.

It’s raining. Can I use my umbrella?

Umbrellas are permitted on the general festival grounds, but may not be used in the seating areas at RiverPlace, as they obstruct the vision of others enjoying the show.

We do sell ponchos at RiverPlace and many of our other venues. You are welcome to buy one of those or bring your own rain gear. Please note: RiverPlace is not under cover, and all seats are exposed to the elements.

Are Cameras, Videotaping or Audio Recording Allowed?

No audio or video recording devices of any kind are permitted. Cameras may be used on the general festival grounds, but are prohibited in our stage areas.

Where can I purchase Food and Beverage tickets?

Food and Beverage Ticket booths are found at every Musikfest venue.

Where are the ATMs?

Banana Island; Festplatz; Plaza Tropical, next to the ticket booth; Volksplatz, next to the ticket booth; Americaplatz, next to the merchandise booth; and RiverPlace, next to the ticket booth.

Where are the bathrooms located?

Port-o-lets, including persons with disabilities accessible port-o-lets, are found at every Musikfest venue.

Where can I find information for persons with disabilities?

Please visit our Directions page.

Where can I purchase Musikfest souvenirs or a program book?

Official Musikfest souvenirs can be purchased at the Musikfest merchandise tents at Americaplatz, Festplatz and Handwerkplatz, as well as at the souvenir carts on Main Street and at Main and Spring streets.

The program book is available at the merch tents at Americaplatz, Festplatz and Handwerkplatz. Musikfest souvenirs and program books may also be purchased at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem.

Where can I purchase a Musikfest souvenir pin and are there any benefits to having one?

Official Musikfest souvenir pins can be purchased at the Musikfest merchandise tents at Americaplatz, Festplatz and Handwerkplatz, as well as at the souvenir carts on Main Street and at Main and Spring streets. The souvenir pin is good for free unlimited rides on the Musikfest trolleys.
 

ArtsQuest Membership

Why does Musikfest offer a membership program?

Musikfest is one of the country’s largest music festivals and is presented by ArtsQuest, a nonprofit organization that has been offering the best in live musical entertainment for 25 years. For 10 days, music runs virtually nonstop on 14 stages, with nearly 500 free performances. Of the total performances, less than 40 require a ticket.

To sustain the quality of presentation, Musikfest must rely on the generosity of our corporate sponsors, as well as our members, for financial support. Membership is available at many levels, starting at $79. Members receive a series of benefits, including the ability to purchase tickets prior to the public.

To become a member of ArtsQuest, please visit www.artsquest.org.

Does purchasing an ArtsQuest membership guarantee I will get a seat in the best section of the RiverPlace main stage?

No, it does not. A membership to ArtsQuest enables the opportunity to purchase early. However, there may be concerts offered for sale that will sell out very quickly, to other members and Musikfest sponsors, depending on the time you attempt to purchase your tickets.

If I order an ArtsQuest membership before tickets go on sale, how do I access my benefits?

When you purchase an ArtsQuest membership online, you will be e-mailed your confirmation. If you join via phone, your ArtsQuest membership will be processed by the Musikfest office staff and you will receive a membership number and list of benefits by regular mail. All memberships should be processed within 4-10 days of receipt.

The quickest and most efficient way to get your ArtsQuest membership information is to join online at www.artsquest.org.

Ticketed Concerts

I placed my ticket order and I am not sure if it went through. What do I do?

If you do not make it through to the “Confirmation” screen after submitting your order, it DID NOT go through and you must try again.

I don’t like using my credit card online. How else may I purchase tickets?

You can order by phone at 610-332-FEST.

What should I bring to sit on if I have RiverPlace lawn tickets?

Blankets, low beach chairs and standard lawn chairs are all welcome.

Can I smoke during the concert?

Smoking is not allowed in any concert areas or Musikfest tents.

How many seats are in each RiverPlace section?

Capacity at RiverPlace is 6,500 people. There are 2,750 seats in the VIP section, 2,500 seats in the Reserved (second) section and room for 1,250 in the Lawn area. The Lawn is an open area where people may bring blankets, lawn chairs or stand.

What happens if I go online to get tickets and I can’t access the VIP section and get the message that the section is sold out?

You will have the opportunity to purchase a seat in the next section - the Reserved section - which is the next 2,500 seats at RiverPlace. When those seats are gone, the Lawn section, which has no seats and can hold 1,250 people, will be available.

When tickets go on sale, what are my best chances of getting the seats I want?

Musikfest’s online ticketing system offers seats on a “Best Available” basis. You may choose the area where you want to sit, enter the number of tickets you wish to purchase and the system will choose the closest seats that are available in that area. You are not able to view your seat assignment until you receive your tickets in the mail.

How many seats may I order at one time?

If you are an ArtsQuest member, your membership level dictates the number of tickets you may purchase per show. Once tickets go on sale to the general public, there is a  20-ticket per person limit. For more information on ArtsQuest membership and ticket purchase levels, please visit the ArtsQuest Membership page.

Please Note: An individual ordering 1 or 2 tickets at one time will have a greater chance of securing seats closer to the stage. The more tickets you try to purchase at one time, the more difficult it may be for the computer to place them together as the section fills.

Rather than go online, are my chances of getting good seats better if I call the Musikfest box office or come in person to the box office?

No, telephone orders and in-person orders are taken and date/time stamped as they come in. They must be entered in the computer system as well and will be placed “in the queue” with those being sold to online customers.

May I upgrade my tickets?

Musikfest does not upgrade tickets. Please read all ticket ordering instructions very carefully before submitting the order.

I ordered two tickets and now I need two more tickets. May I get these tickets in the same row together?

No. Tickets are sold first come, first serve. Chances are the seats next to you have been sold since you placed your order.

Should I look for a Musikfest envelope in the mail with my tickets?

Musikfest tickets will be mailed in an ArtsQuest envelope.

What time do gates to the concert open?

The gates to RiverPlace open at 6 p.m. for 7 & 8 p.m. concerts and at 6:30 p.m. for concerts that begin at 8:30 p.m.

Are there concessions available at RiverPlace? May I buy souvenirs?

RiverPlace offers a full array of food and beverages that may be consumed in the venue. Musikfest souvenirs are also available, and most headliners offer concert memorabilia as well. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. No audio or video recording devices of any kind are permitted. Weapons are forbidden and all bags are subject to search.

What happens if a concert is cancelled?

Occasionally concerts are canceled. “Cancelled” means the performer cancels the performance before the show commences. Should this occur, ArtsQuest will refund the amount paid for the tickets to the person who is recorded as the purchaser in our records. If a purchase was made by credit card, the refund will be made to the same credit card account within 15 days of the date of cancellation. If the purchase was made by cash or check, a check will be issued and mailed to the purchaser within 15 days of the date of cancellation. If we do not have the name of the purchaser of the ticket, the purchaser must present the tickets to ArtsQuest, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 no later than the date of the cancelled concert or 15 days from the date of cancellation, whichever is later. The Service Fee, which is applied to the costs of the ticketing system, mailing, printing and related expenses, will not be refunded, nor will there be an additional fee for processing the refund.

What if a show is cancelled due to severe weather?

If a show starts and later must be stopped due to severe weather conditions, the concert is not considered cancelled and no refunds will be given.

I lost my ticket, what do I do?

We will replace lost tickets only to the purchaser, with government-issued photo identification and the credit card used for the purchase. Replacement requests must be made at the Box Office at Musikfest (in the case of all tickets for Musikfest) or at the Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 (in the case of tickets issued for events other than Musikfest). The purchaser MUST appear in person to have lost tickets replaced. There is a $5 service fee per ticket for replacement tickets.

Parking

I am a first-time visitor to Musikfest. Where do I park my vehicle?

Free parking is available from Aug. 1-10. During the festival, parking in downtown Bethlehem is extremely limited and tickets for violations are $30 and up. It’s a good idea to park at one of our free off-site lots and shuttle to the festival grounds.

Parking is available Aug. 1 from 5-11:30 p.m. and Aug. 2-10 from 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. at the Musikfest Central Parking on Route 412 and Lynn Avenue, north of Exit 67 off I-78; and at the Lehigh Shopping Center at Club Avenue and Union Boulevard. Parking is also available at the Martin Tower lot on Eighth Avenue, off Route 378, weekdays from 5-11:30 p.m. and weekends from 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

Is there a shuttle service to transport me to the festival from the off-site parking lots?

Shuttleplatz is the service that we offer to transport our visitors from the off-site parking lots to festival grounds. These air-conditioned buses provide roundtrip transportation for only $4 per person, with children 10 and under free when accompanied by an adult. Buses run from 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Please note that Musikfest 2008 souvenir pins are not valid on the Shuttleplatz system.

Is there a way to get around the festival other than on foot?

Once you are on the festival grounds, our festival trolley system transports visitors to all festival sites and parking garages. Please view our site map (COMING SOON) to identify the locations of our trolley stops. Roundtrip fare is $1 or 2 Musikfest Food and Beverage Tickets; exact change is required. If you have a Musikfest 2008 Souvenir Pin, it’s good for unlimited trolley rides.

May I ride my bicycle to Musikfest?

Of course! Musikfest offers FREE monitored bicycle parking and gives riders a free roundtrip trolley pass. Visit either of our Pedalplatz locations by the Second Avenue Ramp off the Hill-to-Hill Bridge or the north side of City Hall near Americaplatz. The Second Avenue Ramp location is monitored from noon-8 p.m. daily and the City Hall location is monitored noon-10:30 p.m. on weekends and 4-10:30 p.m. on weekdays. Please bring your own lock!

Can I take public transportation to Musikfest?

Select LANTA/Metro shuttle buses operate from 6-11:30 p.m. daily as part of the Walk ‘n’ Ride program. You may purchase a LANTA Unlimited Ride Daily Pass for only $2.50 from any LANTA driver during the festival. Please view our official Transportation Brochure (Coming Soon) for Walk ‘n’ Ride routes and locations. For more information, call LANTA/Metro at 610-776-RIDE.

Do you have a designated parking lot for RVs?

Sorry, we do not have designated parking areas for RVs.