Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. July 10, 2026 – 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 and expansion of LANTA’s Musikfest Shuttle service for Musikfest 2026. The service provides frequent, ADA-compliant and air-conditioned transportation throughout the festival area, including expanded Gold Line service on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, free rides within the festival area and free return trips on Enhanced Bus Service (EBS) Blue and Green Lines. Last year, riders took 23,811 trips across the Fahy Bridge during the 10-day festival, helping reduce traffic congestion and expand access to Musikfest and surrounding neighborhoods.
“Strong community partnerships create opportunities to make Bethlehem more connected and accessible for everyone,” said Mayor J. William Reynolds. “LANTA’s Musikfest bus routes reflect that shared commitment by expanding transportation choices, introducing more people to the convenience of public transit and making it easier to experience the walkable, vibrant community that makes Bethlehem so special.”
From points west in Trexlertown to points east in Easton, festivalgoers are encouraged to park once and ride, leaving the driving to LANTA. With stops throughout both the North Side and SouthSide of Bethlehem, EBS and shuttle routes make it easier to enjoy the full Musikfest experience while reducing vehicle trips across the Fahy Bridge and improving access for residents, visitors and nearby neighborhoods.
“The Bethlehem Parking Authority is proud to sponsor the free Musikfest shuttle, connecting visitors to convenient parking locations with shuttle stops just steps from festival venues,” said Mark Jobes, Chairman of the Bethlehem Parking Authority. “Park once, ride for free, help reduce congestion, and support a more pedestrian-friendly festival experience.”
Festivalgoers can park in one of BPA’s garages, lots or remote parking locations along the Blue and Green Lines, then use coordinated shuttle stops for a seamless Park & Ride experience. Convenient parking near shuttle routes helps guests arrive, circulate and depart without repeatedly driving through crowded streets.
Garage parking near shuttle stops can reduce circling for on-street parking during peak festival hours and give attendees a simpler, more reliable way to enjoy longer festival stays without needing to relocate their vehicle. BPA is also offering lower-cost parking options in garages located slightly farther from the main festival footprint but still conveniently connected to shuttle stops.
Together, garage parking and shuttle routes can help keep streets less crowded and create a calmer, safer environment for pedestrians moving throughout the festival area.
“Musikfest brings people together from across the Lehigh Valley and beyond, and making that experience welcoming, accessible and easy to navigate is central to our mission,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “The continued partnership with LANTA, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, the City of Bethlehem and the SouthSide Arts District allows us to build on last year’s success and offer even more convenient ways for guests to explore the festival. With expanded shuttle services, real-time departure information and more connections between parking and festival locations, attendees can spend less time worrying about transportation and more time enjoying everything Musikfest has to offer.”
Key service features include:
- ADA-compliant and air-conditioned buses.
- Free rides when boarding at any shuttle stop within the festival area.
- Expanded Gold Line service on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to reduce wait times.
- NEW: PNC Stadtplatz now served by all three shuttle lines: Blue, Green and Gold.
- Real-time departure information available throughout the festival.
- Rides to the festival on LANTA’s Blue and Green Lines cost $2.50 and can be paid with contactless bank cards or cash.
- Free return rides home on Blue and Green Lines.
The Gold Line will serve as the free North-South connector, with stops at Shuttleplatz North, West Broad Street, Downtown Bethlehem, New & Walnut Streets, PNC Stadtplatz (Payrow Plaza), Bethlehem City Hall, Riverport, SouthSide Station at Polk Street Garage and Shuttleplatz South.
“LANTA is proud to provide fast and frequent shuttle service along our EBS Rapid Transit lines for Musikfest 2026,” said Owen O’Neil, Executive Director at LANTA. “Last year was a HUGE success, and we look forward to continuing this partnership with ArtsQuest and the Bethlehem Parking Authority.”
Festivalgoers can view schedules, maps and real-time shuttle information at 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 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, and generated 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:
Bryn Keeney
