Take a trip to Northeast Pennsylvania in the summertime and you'll be greeted with an eclectic selection of music festivals. Whether you're into bluegrass, progressive rock or jazz, this Rust Belt region has plenty to offer. These music festivals are worth a look, as they draw thousands of people to Northeast Pennsylvania every year.
Musikfest
Musikfest is held in downtown Bethlehem over 10 days in August. Featuring 300 performances on 14 stages---11 of which are free---the festival drew more than 1 million people in 2008, according to The Express-Times newspaper's website, LehighValleyLive.com. Musikfest has been held since 1984, when it drew just 182,000 people. According to the festival's website, "almost every musical genre conceivable is represented." Festival-goers can also buy art and hand-crafted items at Handwerkplatz, an open-air venue. Festival proceeds benefit The Banana Factory, a community arts center in Bethlehem, as well as other nonprofit groups.
ArtsQuest
25 W. Third St.
Bethlehem PA, 18015
610-332-1300
musikfest.org/
NEARfest
NEARfest is a progressive rock festival that is held over three days at the Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The festival, which began in 1999, features acts from all over the United States, as well as France and England. Selling out every year, according to its website, "NEARfest weekend is the biggest 'family reunion' of the prog community in the U.S.A." The festival also offers autograph signings, vending and food areas at the Arts Center.
NEARfest c/o Ray Loboda
P.O. Box 228
Lewisberry, PA 17339
610-758-2787
nearfest.com
Scranton Jazz Festival
The Scranton Jazz Festival takes place the first full weekend of August at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. It features a covered outdoor amphitheater and fine food and drink. Featuring more than 100 musicians, the festival "has drawn audiences from the entire Mid-Atlantic region, resulting in tremendous notoriety and exposure to the international jazz world," according to the festival's website. The festival offers a student jazz educational component, featuring students from the local Jazz Institute at Keystone College.
Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton
700 Lackawanna Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
570-342-8300
scrantonjazzfestival.org/
NEPA Bluegrass Festival
The NEPA Bluegrass Festival is held at Lazy Brook Park in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, over four days in June. The festival offers two stages: traditional and progressive. The progressive stage features modern variations of bluegrass. The festival also offers children's workshops, instrument workshops and an open jam at Danny Stewart's traveling Jam Tent. Festival-goers can buy day passes or weekend tickets, which include free camping.
Danny Stewart
NEPA Bluegrass
Rural Route 2, Box 2734
Laceyville, PA 18623
570-721-2760
nepabluegrass.com/
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