ArtsQuest generated a record $192,685,075 in economic impact for the Lehigh Valley in 2025, a 34% increase over 2024 and the strongest performance in the organization’s 42-year history, officials announced Wednesday.

Leaders attributed the growth to expanded programming, strong festival attendance, and sustained public-private partnerships that boosted tourism, job creation, and regional investment.

“ArtsQuest was built on the idea that investing in arts and culture can transform a community economically, socially, and creatively, and today we are seeing that vision realized at an unprecedented scale,” said Kassie Hilgert, president and CEO of ArtsQuest.

Signature events drove much of the growth. Musikfest generated $121,370,178 in economic impact in 2025, up 30.9% from the previous year. Christkindlmarkt, presented by Univest Financial, generated $14,087,391, a 27.2% increase following expanded holiday programming, including its Winter Wonderland experience.

Throughout 2025, ArtsQuest hosted nearly 4,000 events, festivals, classes, and workshops, with 32% offered free to the public. The organization’s activity supported 1,533 full-time equivalent jobs in the Lehigh Valley, also a 34% increase over 2024, spanning hospitality, events, retail, and the creative sector.

“Cultural experiences are one of the strongest drivers of visitor spending in today’s travel economy, and ArtsQuest has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most powerful tourism anchors,” said Alex Michaels, president and CEO of Discover Lehigh Valley.

Since 2010, ArtsQuest’s annual economic impact has grown from $35.8 million to more than $192 million, rebounding well beyond pre-pandemic levels of $116 million in 2018 and $136 million in 2019.

National data mirrors that momentum. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. arts and culture sector contributed more than $1.17 trillion to the economy in 2023, accounting for over 4.2% of gross domestic product and growing at more than twice the rate of the overall economy.

Looking ahead, ArtsQuest anticipates further growth as it advances its Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign, scheduled for completion in 2027. Planned projects include the Creative Factory powered by PPL, a hands-on arts education and workforce development hub, and the revitalization of the Turn & Grind Shop space in Bethlehem.

Officials said the continued investment will expand year-round programming, attract new audiences, and strengthen the Lehigh Valley’s position as a regional cultural destination.