ArtsQuest Celebrates the Global Spirit of Soccer Through Music, Film, Art and Culture During SoccerFest
Monthlong lineup of festivals, free concerts, films, and hands-on art experiences complements FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties at SteelStacks
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA, June 23, 2026 – As fans from across the region gather at SteelStacks to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, ArtsQuest is inviting visitors to experience something even bigger than the matches themselves.
Throughout SoccerFest, ArtsQuest’s celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ running through July 19, SteelStacks will come alive with a diverse lineup of arts and cultural programming that reflects the international spirit of the world’s most popular sporting event. From live music and cultural festivals to film screenings and hands-on visual arts experiences, SoccerFest offers visitors countless opportunities to celebrate the cultures, traditions and communities that make soccer a global phenomenon.
“For nearly four decades, ArtsQuest has brought people together through music, film, visual arts and shared experiences,” said Patrick Brogan, Chief Programming Officer at ArtsQuest. “SoccerFest builds on that tradition by pairing the excitement of the World Cup with our extensive arts and cultural programming. It’s an opportunity to celebrate not only the world’s game, but also the creativity, diversity and community connections that make events like this so impactful for the region.”
Festivals Inspired by the Global Game
Several of ArtsQuest’s signature festivals will coincide with SoccerFest, creating unique opportunities for visitors to experience cultures represented on the world’s biggest soccer stage.
From June 25-27, the campus will host ¡Sabor! Latin Music Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield, featuring live Latin music, dance, cuisine and cultural activities. The festival aligns with several highly anticipated World Cup matches featuring Latin American nations, including Colombia vs. Portugal on 6/27 at 7:30 p.m. and Argentina vs. Jordan at 10 p.m., creating an electric atmosphere for both soccer fans and festivalgoers.
On July 11, One Earth Reggae Festival presented by Movement Moves Media returns to SteelStacks for its fifth year, bringing together globally recognized performers and emerging artists, unique food vendors and artisans, and family-friendly programming that celebrates unity, peace and cultural connection.
The festivities continue July 17-18 with Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield, a special America 250-themed edition of ArtsQuest’s popular blues festival honoring one of America’s most influential musical genres.
Throughout the tournament, visitors can also enjoy more than 50 free concerts at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by LVHN, part of Jefferson Health. The concert series will provide a soundtrack to SoccerFest, offering attendees opportunities to discover new artists before and after matches while enjoying one of the region’s premier outdoor music venues.
Celebrating America’s 250th
SoccerFest will also intersect with one of the nation’s most significant milestones as ArtsQuest hosts its annual Independence Day celebration presented by Embassy Bank on July 3- 4, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
The two-day event will feature live music on the Levitt Pavilion lawn, including performances by the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus on July 3 at 7:30 p.m.,The Allentown Band on July 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Bruce Springsteen tribute band The BRUCE Show on July 4 at 8:30 p.m., family-friendly activities, FIFA World Cup match viewings and a fireworks display after dark.
“Hosting FIFA World Cup watch parties during America’s 250th anniversary creates a unique opportunity to celebrate both our nation’s history and the global connections that bring people together today,” said Cory Stevens, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. “It’s a powerful reminder that sports, music and culture have the ability to unite people across borders and generations.”
Soccer Comes to the Big Screen
At the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, ArtsQuest is presenting a special soccer-themed film series, Kicks & Flicks exploring the passion, stories and cultural impact of the world’s game. The series includes soccer films and documentaries that showcase how the sport has inspired communities around the world, offering fans another way to engage with SoccerFest beyond the live matches.
Create Art Inspired by Your Favorite Team
Soccer fans can also showcase their team pride through a special Hot Glass Experience at the ArtsQuest Glass Tent.
Participants will have the opportunity to create handcrafted glass paperweight keepsakes featuring the colors of their favorite FIFA World Cup teams under the guidance of ArtsQuest teaching artists.
“Soccer inspires incredible passion and creativity, and we’re excited to channel that energy into hands-on artistic experiences,” said Lisa Harms, Vice President of Visual Arts and Education at ArtsQuest. “Whether someone is making a glass paperweight in their team’s colors or exploring the many visual arts experiences available on campus, SoccerFest demonstrates how art can connect people across cultures in the same way sports do.”
In addition, visitors can explore soccer through contemporary visual storytelling at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health. As part of the Bethlehem Steel soccer exhibit, the display Minute World Cup Review and Minute UEFA Champions League Review by artist Case Jernigan will be featured throughout the festival.
Jernigan, whose “happy sad” stop-motion films have earned international recognition, creates handcrafted animations, paper works, drawings and prints that celebrate the emotion, humor and humanity of everyday life. His one-minute animated recaps offer a playful artistic interpretation of some of soccer’s biggest moments, adding a contemporary creative perspective alongside Bethlehem’s historic soccer legacy.
For a full schedule of SoccerFest events and programming, visit Lehigh Valley Soccerfest – ArtsQuest.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 2 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of close to $193 million in 2025. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.
Information provided to TVL by:
Tehani Boyer
