Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. December 1, 2025 – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce the fourth Musikfest 2026 headliner Train with special guest George Pippen, will be coming to the Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza on Monday, August 3, 2026.
This concert is being presented with media partner 100.7 WLEV. Ticket access begins today, Monday, December 1 for ArtsQuest Members and Friday, December 5 for the general public at ArtsQuest.org. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle Donor today.
Since their formation in 1994, multi-GRAMMY Award-winning, diamond-selling band Train has sold more than 10 million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide, amassing over six billion global streams. Train’s climb to the top began in San Francisco, as the original 5-member band tenaciously built a loyal hometown following, leading up to their debut self-titled album released by Columbia in 1998. The tumbling wordplay of “Meet Virginia” gave them their first unlikely radio hit, and 2001’s Drops of Jupiter broke them to multi-platinum status. Known for their critically acclaimed catalogue of chart-topping hits including #1 best-selling smash “Hey, Soul Sister,” double-GRAMMY-winning hit “Drops of Jupiter” and 5x platinum-certified anthem “Drive By,” Train has had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and 13 albums on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, six of which reached the Top 10, including Drops of Jupiter (2001), My Private Nation (2003), California 37 (2012), Bulletproof Picasso (2014), For Me, It’s You (2016), and a girl a bottle a boat (2017). For over three decades, Train has been captivating audiences across the globe with their signature blend of rock and pop, infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. With an extraordinary career that includes three GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, multiple diamond/platinum/gold citations and dozens of other honors, Train continues to reach new milestones, boasting two tracks, “Hey, Soul Sister” and “Drops of Jupiter,” that have reached RIAA Diamond status and surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
George Pippen is a rising country rock singer-songwriter whose smoky vocals and introspective stories quickly earned him a devoted following. Originally from Carmel, Indiana, he spent four years in Los Angeles working in artist and tour management before moving to Nashville to focus on his own music. He began posting original songs on TikTok, where his blend of country, folk and pop resonated with fans. Pippen released his debut single “Indiana Knows My Name,” in May 2024, followed by “Speedin” and “Silence in the Suburbs,” all of which gained traction on major streaming platforms. Soon he was headlining honky tonks, opening for Megan Moroney and committing fully to life as an artist. His debut EP, Magnolia Nights, arrived later that year, showcasing his growth as both a writer and performer.
About Musikfest
A total of 1,449,000 people attended Musikfest in 2025. The 11-day festival featured over 500 free performances across 16 stages located throughout both the north and south-sides of Bethlehem. The 43rd Musikfest is scheduled for July 31 – August 9, 2026. This year’s Musikfest 2026 poster artist is painter and illustrator Doug Boehm. The 2026 design holds added significance as the nation prepares to celebrate America 250, the semi quincentennial of the United States. Boehm’s artwork reflects both the joy of Musikfest and the unifying power of music during this historic moment. To see the poster and learn more about Boehm’s vision for it, along with information about the festival, visit artsquest.org/musikfest.
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 1.9 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of more than $143 million annually. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.