Featured Image: Christkindlmarkt by Craig Roberts
Annual holiday market presented by Univest Bank & Trust Co. opens Nov. 16; tickets on sale Nov. 5
BETHLEHEM, PA—Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, the popular holiday marketplace that attracted nearly 90,000 people to the Christmas City in 2017, celebrates its 26th year with more than 200 vendors and artisans, new attractions and more holiday cheer than ever during its six-weekend run. The event, presented by Univest Bank & Trust Co., runs Nov.16-18 and 23-25, Nov.29-Dec. 2 and Dec. 6-9, 13-16 and 20-23 at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks.
Tickets for Christkindlmarkt go on sale starting Nov. 5 at www.christmascity.org and 610-332-3378. Special Christmas City Combo Tickets, providing admission to Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites’ “Trees of Historic Bethlehem” exhibit and four historic Moravian buildings, will also be on sale for $25 at www.christmascity.org and 610-332-3378.
Established in 1993, Christkindlmarkt is a one-of-a-kind holiday experience that brings the spirit of Bethlehem, the Christmas City, alive with the season. Twice recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the nation by Travel + Leisure, this heart-warming holiday event features aisles of handmade works by the nation’s finest artisans – with thousands of unique gift ideas for family and friends – as well as live Christmas music; an authentic German St. Nicholas; and European favorites like wursts and strudel.
This year’s Christkindlmarkt features its largest array of Christmas items and collectibles ever, with up to 125 artisans and vendors each weekend. Among the 48 new participants are HillyBilly’s Jerky of Fort Loudon, which offers a range of smoky, sweet and spicy dried meat; Mandy’s Tutu Bowtique of Bethlehem, which features a delightful array of hand-crafted children’s accessories and room décor; Mechanicsburg’s Torch Bearer Sauces, a brand of all-natural gourmet sauces and condiments featured on the YouTube series “Hot Ones;” and Seamless Southworth of Phoenixville, which creates beautiful, handmade wire wrapped gemstone jewelry. In all, more than 200 different artisans and vendors will visit Christkindlmarkt during its six-weekend run, with vendors coming from 20 states.
Additional highlights include:
NEW! Christkindlmarkt Hot Glass Experience – Candy Cane or Ornament
Start your glass-making adventure by doing a Hot Glass Experience. With the guidance of one of our artists, you’ll work one-on one to create your own glass candy cane (new for 2018) or holiday ornament. Each session takes 20 minutes. Ages 6 and up are welcome.
Tickets: $55 per 20-minute time slot (includes admission to Christkindlmarkt); sign up at www.bananafactory.org.
Breakfast with St. Nicholas presented by Giant Food Stores
Dec. 1, 8 & 15, 9 a.m.
Children and their families will enjoy a fun-filled morning featuring St. Nicholas, delicious hot breakfast, photo with St. Nick and admission to Christkindlmarkt. Tickets, which go on sale Nov. 5, are $18.95 for ages 10 and older, $15.95 for ages 3-9 and $9.95 for ages 2 and under.
NEW! Holiday Spirits & Wine Tasting
Saturdays (Excluding Nov. 17), 4 & 6 p.m.
This memorable tasting experience features a different Christkindlmarkt partner each Saturday, including Franklin Hill Vineyards, Social Still, Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, Vynecrest and Colony Meadery. Admission includes entry to Christkindlmarkt, an instructional presentation of the drinks offered and two specialty samples.
Tickets: $25; limited space available.
NEW! Van Pelt Hot Dog Co.
A Musikfest favorite in 2018, Van Pelt Hot Dog Co. comes to Christkindlmarkt with a tasty variety of gourmet dogs including its famous Chicago Dog.
Back for 2018 – United States Postal Service’s Big Blue Box
USPS returns to Christkindlmarkt to solve all your shipping needs. Mail your purchases directly from Christkindlmarkt to family and friends with the Big Blue Box’s convenient postal services including flat-rate shipping, stamps and packing supplies. Open Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Christkindlmarkt Dates:
• Nov. 16-18 & 23-25
• Nov. 29-Dec. 2
• Dec. 6-9,13-16 & 20-23
Hours:
Thursday & Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Admission:
Ages 13+: $10
Ages 6-12: $6
Ages 5 and under: FREE
Christkindlmarkt presented by Univest Bank & Trust Co. takes place at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, located at 645 E. First St., Bethlehem, with convenient free parking adjacent to the venue. Partners helping to make the holiday marketplace possible include 100.7 WLEV, 99.9 The Hawk, Adams Outdoor Advertising of the Lehigh Valley, B104, Cat Country 96, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, Crayola, Giant Food Stores, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Just Born Quality Confections, La Mega Radio, The Morning Call, Inc., Star Auto Mall, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, The United States Postal Service and WFMZ-TV 69 News.
For more information on Christkindlmarkt and other Christmas City events, visit www.christmascity.org.
Information and image provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest
http://www.artsquest.org/
