ArtsQuest has announced multi-platinum country artist Bailey Zimmerman as the first headliner for Musikfest 2026, bringing his chart-topping sound to Bethlehem’s Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.

Tickets for the concert went sale Monday, Nov. 17, for ArtsQuest members, with general public access beginning Friday, Nov. 21, at ArtsQuest.org. The show is sponsored by PenTeleData and Yuengling Flight, with media partner Cat Country 96.

The Louisville, Illinois, native has rapidly ascended to country music stardom since gaining attention on social media in 2020. His viral hit “Fall in Love” propelled him to become the fastest debut country artist in more than a decade to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Zimmerman’s 2023 debut album “Religiously. The Album.” made history with the biggest streaming debut for a country album, debuting at No. 3 on Top Country Albums and No. 7 on the Billboard 200. The record produced four consecutive No. 1 singles, including the 4x-platinum “Fall in Love” and the 5x-platinum “Rock And A Hard Place,” which spent six weeks atop the charts.

The rising star followed with 2024 singles “Holy Smokes,” “Holding On,” and “New To Country,” before releasing his sophomore album “Different Night Same Rodeo” in August 2025. The album features a collaboration with Luke Combs on “Backup Plan.”

Zimmerman has performed on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and the ACMs, earning recognition from Forbes, Rolling Stone, Variety, and Billboard.

The 43rd annual Musikfest is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 9, 2026. Last year’s festival drew 1,449,000 attendees across 11 days, featuring more than 500 free performances on 16 stages throughout Bethlehem’s north and south sides.

Generative AI was used to draft this story, based on information provided by ArtsQuest. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.

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