Blueberry pie. Blueberry doughnuts. Blueberry grilled cheese.
Summer’s fruit once again takes center stage when the Blueberry Festival returns for its 38th family-friendly fun-filled year Saturday and Sunday at Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem.
This year’s festival includes live music, historic demonstrations, colonial games and, of course, blueberry pie-eating contests and plenty of sweet treats.
The festival will be held each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pre-order your desserts online now and pick up at the festival (tickets required) or at the Market to Go on Friday.
Here’s what’s to expect at this year’s festival:
There’s a little something for everyone
The Blueberry Festival features live music across two stages, colonial cooking and candle-making demonstrations, games, a petting zoo and pony rides. Don’t forget the blueberry pie-eating contests, with divisions for both children and adults.
Embark on the History Quest Scavenger Hunt, looking for historic artifacts throughout the site. Completed scavenger hunts earn a prize.
New this year, families can explore a display of 18th- and 19th-century farming equipment in the Johnson Barn, go inside the Burnside home and visit the Burnside Gardens.
Also open for visits will be the historic Grist Miller’s House, which reopened to the public in April after significant renovations.
“This is one of those [events] that I think has deep roots in the community,” said Beth Beatty, events manager for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. “I’ve really tried to lean into that idea this year. We’re really trying to connect it to the community and also connect it to our mission.”
The Blueberry Festival is one of the main fundraisers for HBMS, the nonprofit that maintains 20 historic buildings in Bethlehem, including including the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.
Also new this year is The Story Doctor, who will bring books to life in an interactive show on the festival’s Community Stage at 11:30 a.m. both days.
What about the food?
Of course, the Blueberry Festival wouldn’t be complete without its star. From blueberry pies to ice cream, and a line of food truck vendors, you can satisfy just about any craving.
“We have an international lineup of food vendors this year, from sweet and hot blueberry grilled cheese to pasta to sicky rice to Taco Town, with some interesting lemonade, matcha and coffee, all kinds of really good food,” Beatty said.
Vallos Bakery is this year’s blueberry crumb pie supplier. Bake-a-Re will provide a gluten-free option.
Bakery Nook and Backdoor Bakeshop return for the blueberry strudel, coffee cakes and sugar cookies, and Bethlehem Dairy Store once again supplies ice cream.
Due to the popularity of the baked goods, it’s advised you order ahead on the festival’s website. Pick up is available both days of the festival (admission tickets required), or from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Market to Go.
Think your blueberry dessert is a winner? Enter the Great Bethlehem Blueberry Baking Contest. The contest, which is open to both children and adults, will be judged by culinary professionals. Kids’ Division (ages 15 and under) winners will be announced 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and Adult Division winners will be announced 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Advance registration is required.
Also make sure to stop by the Tavern Tent and sample beers and spirits from Banko Beverage and local breweries and distilleries. A separate ticket is required, and costs $25 (includes festival admission.)
If you go
Tickets for the Blueberry Festival are $10 in advance for adults and $5 in advance for ages 17 and under, and $12 for adults and $6 for ages 17 and under at the gates. Kids 3 and under are free. Order now at historicbethlehem.org or call 610-691-6055.
The Blueberry Festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Market to Go will be open 3 to 7 p.m. Friday for dessert pick-up.
Pre-order your desserts for pick up at the Market to Go or during the festival (admission ticket required) at historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/blueberry-festivals-market-to-go/.
Desserts include pie, coffee cake, strudel, cookies, crullers ice cream and, new this year, gluten-free blueberry-lemon mini cakes. Purchase the “Blueberry Bonanza” (includes a pie, large coffee cake and strudel) for a discount.
Festival parking is available in the large lot at Schoenersville and Mauch Chunk roads or at Nitschmann Middle School, 1002 W. Union Blvd. Free shuttles will begin at 10 a.m.
2025 Blueberry Festival Vendors:
Food vendors
- Taste Budz
- Donut NV
- Thirst Trap Lemonade
- The Rolling Brew
- Taco Town
- Pasta Eva
- Aroi Mango LLC – Sunday Only
Craft vendors
- Soaps on Linden
- Rebel Hive Meadery
- Cheryl Baker, Star Maker
- Deep Roots Hard Cider
- Mod Metal Works
- BG Silversmiths
- RanaeArt
- Marcy’s Treasures
- Whisker Biscuits
- The Fresh Soap LLC
- Amid the Moss
- Groundhog Blues Pottery
- Zimeray Designs
- Deirdre Rose Designs
- Em & Ko Company
- East Valley Foods
- Liam’s Luck Wood Craft
- TileWorks of Bucks County
- Birdsong Birdhouses
- Matt-Hat Jerky
- Casa de Jorge Salsa
- Caricatoonz
Entertainment schedule
Saturday
Brewery Stage
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lockman & Purcell
12:45- 2:15 p.m.: Temple Avenue Jazz
2:30-3:45 p.m.: Andrea Carlson and the Love Police
4:15-5:45 p.m.: At Whit’s End
Community Stage
10:15-11:15 a.m.: Andrew Land
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Story Doctor
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Dave Fry
2-2:30 p.m.: Pie Eating Contest & Kids Baking Contest
2:45-4 p.m.: Nick Franclik
4:15-5:30 p.m.: Jim Steager
Johnson Barn
Noon-1 p.m.: Art of Artifacts. Decorate your own ceramic teacup and saucer with acrylic paint pens. Sign up is limited to the first 15 people for both days.
2-2:45 p.m. The Bookmark: Lafayette’s Untold Revolutionary Love Story. Learn More about this novel and story through a talk with the author Anne Supsic
4-4:45 p.m. The Birthplace of Industry: Stories of the Colonial Industrial Quarter. Hear how the early Moravians built a thriving community in Bethlehem.
Sunday
Brewery Stage
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Swing Time Dolls
12:45-2:15 p.m.: Smooth Retina Glow
2:30-4 p.m.: Big Squeeze Zydeco
4:15-5:45 p.m.: Dr. Doctor
Community Stage
10:15-11:15 a.m.: Tom Yurasits Magic
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Story Doctor
12:45-1:45 p.m. Mike Duck
2-2:30 p.m.: Pie Eating Contest & Adult Baking Contest
2:45-4 p.m.: Nick Franclik
4:15-5:30 p.m.: Andrew Dunn
Johnson Barn
noon-1 p.m.: Art of Artifacts. Decorate your own ceramic teacup and saucer with acrylic paint pens. Sign up is limited to the first 15 people for both days.
4-4:45 p.m. The Birthplace of Industry: Stories of the Colonial Industrial Quarter. Hear how the early Moravians built a thriving community in Bethlehem.
