(BETHLEHAM, PA) -- Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Bailey Zimmerman performed at Musikfest on Thursday, August 6, 2026 and photographer Mathew Katz was on hand to take photos. Founded in 1984, Musikfest is the nation's largest free music festival and is a 10-day celebration of performing and visual arts held every August in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Hailing from Louisville, Illinois, Bailey Zimmerman is one of country music’s brightest stars, known for his chart topping hits and authentic gritty sound. After first gaining traction by posting original songs to social media in 2020, Zimmerman rocketed into the spotlight with the viral success of “Fall in Love,” which made him the fastest debut country artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in over a decade.
In 2023, Zimmerman released his debut album Religiously. The Album. which arrived as not only the biggest streaming debut for a country album in history, but also the biggest all-genre streaming debut since 2021. The “comfortably bruising and appealingly bruised” (The New York Times) album also features his fourth consecutive No. 1 single “Where It Ends,” his 4x-Platinum, No. 1 debut single, “Fall In Love,” and its 5x-Platinum follow-up, the six-week No. 1 mega-hit “Rock And A Hard Place.” The album debuted at #3 on the Top Country Albums chart and #7 on the Billboard 200, instantly positioning him as one of the genre’s most impactful new voices.
In 2024, Zimmerman continued to dominate the charts with singles "Holy Smokes,” “Holding On” and “New To Country” all of which made a splash. August of 2025 saw the release of Zimmerman’s Sophomore album Different Night Same Rodeo which features superstar collaboration “Backup Plan” featuring Luke Combs as well as Top 10 and platinum single “Holy Smokes,” in addition to “New To Country,” “Hell or High Water,” “Holding On,” “Comin’ In Cold,” and more.
Zimmerman has earned multiple award nominations, including nods from the Billboard Music Awards, ACM Awards, People’s Choice Country Awards, and CMT Music Awards—cementing his status as one of country music’s fastest-rising stars. He has ignited television audiences across the country with show-stopping performances on Good Morning America, TODAY, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, and the 2024 CMT Music Awards and more. Beyond the stage, Zimmerman has drawn widespread acclaim from top-tier media outlets including Forbes, Rolling Stone, Variety, Los Angeles Times, Billboard, American Songwriter, and more.
Featuring more than 400 performers and 500 performances across 16 stages (15 are free), Musikfest attracts over 1 million people each year!
Next year's Musikfest takes place from August 5–15, 2027.
Here are more photos from the concert.
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a sevenalbum contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.
Samara Joy has emerged as one of the most captivating new voices in jazz, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved tradition. With a sound that feels both rooted in history and uniquely her own, she has quickly drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike. Experience the artistry, warmth, and unmistakable brilliance of a true rising icon—live and in person.
To welcome Fall, renowned organist Ian Fraser will play a selection of Halloween inspired pieces on UCPAC’s “Biggest Little Wurlitzer,” our 1928 organ that is original to our beautiful Main Stage theater, in Illumination – A Haunted Concert by Candlelight!
The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Almost all the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered.This program is only available Online for 24 hours on this show date!
Musician and historian Bobby Horton combines storytelling, musicianship, history, and a genuine love for the people who settled this nation, fought for our future, and created a new nation in Patriot Songs of the American Revolution.
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Music lovers are invited to experience the artistry of the Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) faculty at a free Faculty Recital on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in Plainfield. Showtime is 3:00pm.
(CLARK, NJ) -- Waves of Education's 6th Annual Run Toward a Better Future 5K & Family Fun Event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will welcome internationally acclaimed Indian classical musician Ustad Shafaat Khan to the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00pm.
(NEW YORK, NY) -- NiCori Performing Arts Academy celebrates the next generation of musical theatre and cabaret talent on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Triad Theater. The NiCori Youth Cabaret Showcase features an extraordinary group of young performers sharing songs that inspire, challenge, and tell their unique stories. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series from October 5-14, 2026. Plays include Neither Snow Nor Rain by Erin Mallon; The Halal Brothers by Alaudin Ullah; and Sunshine Madness by Lori Fischer. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Compagnie Hervé Koubi in Sol Invictus on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:30pm. Sol Invictus is a contemporary dance work combining acrobatics, street dance, hip-hop, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography.
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- It's time to ditch the same boring recipes and bring big, playful creativity back into your kitchen! Join Top Chef finalist, Food Network star, and author Joe Sasto to explore his bestselling cookbook Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Take on Italian Classics in a virtual discussion on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, presented by the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts welcomes Tony Award-winning actor, author and advocate Ali Stroker for a Community Conversation exploring mental health, well-being and the power of the arts on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at The Vogel. The event begins at 7:00pm.
(NEWARK, NJ) -- World-renowned artist Bisa Butler and Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr will headline the 2026 Newark Arts Festival, returning October 7–11 for five days of exhibitions, music, performance, artist conversations, family programming, open studios and late-night arts experiences across Newark.