The Return of Free, Accessible Transit to and Around Musikfest 2025
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA, July 9, 2025 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with LANTA, the Bethlehem Parking Authority (BPA), The City of Bethlehem and the SouthSide Arts District, is proud to announce the return of the LANTA’s Gold Line and Free Fares on Enhanced Bus Service (EBS) Blue & Green Lines for Musikfest 2025 providing frequent, accessible and air-conditioned transit throughout the festival grounds.
“After a successful first year of launching Musikfest-specific LANtaBus routes, we are thrilled for this partnership to continue, making Musikfest more accessible to everyone in the Lehigh Valley,” said J. William Reynolds, Mayor of Bethlehem. “To make our City more livable, we need to reduce car trips where we can, so it’s great to see that moving people more efficiently through our city so we can all better enjoy Musikfest is a shared goal of our community partners and we’re thankful for their dedication to making that happen.”
From points west in Trexlertown to points east in Easton, festivalgoers are encouraged to park and ride, leaving the driving to LANTA. With stops throughout both the North Side and SouthSide of Bethlehem, EBS makes it easier than ever to enjoy the entire Musikfest experience.
“We’re proud to work alongside our community partners to make getting around Musikfest as convenient and accessible as possible,” said Steven Fernstrom, Executive Director of the Bethlehem Parking Authority. “Our garages are the most convenient parking option in Bethlehem, located just steps from both downtowns and LANTA bus stops, making it easy for visitors to park once and ride throughout the festival and the city.”
“At ArtsQuest, we’re committed to creating a festival experience that’s welcoming, inclusive and easy to navigate,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “Thanks to the continued partnership with LANTA, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, the City of Bethlehem and the SouthSide Arts District, we’re excited to offer even more convenient and accessible transportation options for our community and visitors. The return of the Gold Line and free EBS service makes it easier than ever to explore every part of Musikfest, without the stress of driving or parking.”
Key service features include:
- Fully ADA compliant buses.
- Air-conditioned comfort.
- FREE rides within the Musikfest festival footprint (fares apply outside of the festival).
- Frequent service.
- Complete schedules available at lantabus.com/ebs-bethlehem.
Additionally, the Gold Line will serve as the FREE North-South connector, with stops including:
- Shuttleplatz North
- West Broad Street
- Downtown Bethlehem
- New & Walnut Streets
- PNC Stadtplatz (Payrow Plaza)
- Bethlehem City Hall
- Riverport
- SouthSide Station at Polk Street Garage
- Shuttleplatz South
Gold Line Hours of Operation:
- Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- Weekends: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
“This connection makes it easier for visitors to experience all that both sides of Bethlehem have to offer—from world-class music to incredible local shops, restaurants and cultural destinations,” said Erin Zebertavage, SouthSide Arts District Downtown Manager. “We’re thrilled to support this partnership with ArtsQuest, BPA and LANTA to offer free bus service between the SouthSide and North Side during Musikfest.”
“We’re proud to partner with our community organizations to make Musikfest more accessible,” said Owen O’Neil, Executive Director of LANTA. “By combining our year-round Enhanced Bus Service (EBS) with the Gold Line, we’ll help ease congestion and ensure everyone can enjoy Musikfest comfortably and safely.”
Ride, Relax and Enjoy Musikfest 2025 with LANTA!
For schedules and maps, visit: lantabus.com/ebs-bethlehem.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
