Musikfest
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
For 35 years, Musikfest has staked its claim as the largest nongated free music festival in the United States, and for many Pennsylvanian locals, it is one of the most exciting events of the year. In 2017, the festival brought nearly 1.2 million visitors into Bethlehem, a town where the local population barely exceeds 75,000.
Throughout the 10-day event, Bethlehem hosts about 500 free concerts on 15 stages throughout the city. Though many music festivals focus on a given genre, Musikfest emphasizes quality over theme, showcasing a broad range of unique music styles like African, zydeco, Celtic rock, jazz and ska. The layout is great for groups, which can split up and wander all over town to find the activities and artists that interest them.
“It’s unique because it’s not just centralized in one open field like some music festivals,” said Kaitie Burger, social media and communications manager at Discover Lehigh Valley. “You can go and experience as much or as little as you want, depending on budget or interests.”
The main concert stage is set against the incredible industrial backdrop of SteelStacks, a 10-acre arts and cultural campus that once belonged to the Bethlehem Steel Company. Though most of the original steel factory was torn down, visitors can still see five towering blast furnaces on the property.
The festival also highlights Bethlehem’s outstanding culinary scene, as food vendors feature everything from lobster mac and cheese to fried dumplings and shrimp quesadillas. Guests can sign up for art workshops on glassblowing or sculpture, as well as browse dozens of elaborate art installations throughout the city. Last year, one of the most popular pieces was a massive inflatable exhibit called “Architects of Air,” which created a kind of kaleidoscope effect as the sun illuminated the multicolored walls.
Virginia International Tattoo Festival
Norfolk, Virginia
Named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, the Virginia International Tattoo Festival is one of America’s most esteemed military events.
“We’re a military town, and we are really proud of our military heritage,” said Erin Goldmeier, media relations manager at Visit Norfolk. “This event has grown tremendously in the past few years, and that just shows how iconic it has become.”
Though the name can be misleading, the word “tattoo” originated in Europe as a musical signal for innkeepers to “turn off the taps” so soldiers would return to their barracks, and the term later came to encompass any military band performance. Near the end of April each spring, more than 1,000 military bands, drill teams, fife-and-drum corps, color guards, choirs and dancers convene at Norfolk’s Scope Arena to present one of the largest tattoo celebrations in the world.
“There’s music, there’s dancing, there’s a lot of color,” said Goldmeier. “It’s so high-energy and entertaining.”
One of the high points for many guests is the multicultural rendition of “Amazing Grace,” which is sung by performers from all over the world in their native languages.
“The first time I heard it, I cried,” Goldmeier said. “It was so touching and beautiful, especially within the huge, indoor space of Scope Arena. I’ve been back every year.”
Three hours before each performance, groups can also enjoy music, dancing and exhibits outside the arena at a preshow event called Tattoo Hullabaloo.
