BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s official: Musikfest set a record this year for attendance.
The 11-night run of shows across the city drew 1,330,000 people, eclipsing the record mark of 1.24 million established in 2022.
- Musikfest 2023 set a record for attendance this year
- This was the festival's 40th year in Bethlehem
- More than 1.3 million people visited, organizers say
Musikfest 2023 fireworks time lapseKassie Hilgert, CEO of ArtsQuest – the nonprofit organization that puts on the festival – said visitors came from 46 states (including Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.) and 10 countries.
“We celebrated with residents and visitors from near and far for this annual event that just keeps getting better year after year,” Hilgert said in a prepared statement. “I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing organization that includes just over 1,0000 Musikfest volunteers, who without their help, Musikfest wouldn’t happen and a staff that truly values and knows the positive effect the arts can have on a community.”
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Organizers use estimates, food and beverage sales and gate receipts for ticketed events to gauge annual attendance.
Most of the 500 or so performances during the festival are free. ArtsQuest bills Musikfest as the largest, non-gated music festival in the nation.