|
|
Festival continues expansion thanks in part to funding from Northampton County
BETHLEHEM, PA–Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, the popular holiday marketplace that attracted a record 92,000 people in 2018, celebrates its 27th year with more than 200 of the nation’s finest vendors and artisans, expanded weekend hours and new attractions including an Outdoor Village, pet photo sessions with Saint Nicholas and more. The event, presented by Univest Bank & Trust, Co., runs Nov. 22-24, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 5-8, 12-15 and 19-22 at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks.
Established in 1993, Christkindlmarkt is a one-of-a-kind holiday experience for the whole family 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.
Each weekend, Christkindlmarkt is home to more than 100 artisans and vendors that have everything you need to find the perfect Christmas gift. Among the 30 new participants this year are Finneran Jewelry from Baltimore, which features upcycled jewelry handmade from vintage tea & cookie tins; Rediscover Handbags from Chicago, offering totes & handbags hand-crafted from albums & theater programs; Stone House Pottery from Hamburg, which creates handmade fine silver jewelry from recycled silver; and Handmade Art Studios, featuring wood carving and wood home décor. In all, more than 200 different artisans and vendors will visit Christkindlmarkt during its five-weekend run, with vendors coming from 10 states.
New highlights include:
Outdoor Village at PNC Plaza
For 2019, Christkindlmarkt is enhancing its experience for guests by adding the charming Outdoor Village featuring outdoor artisan huts including The Lazy Dazey, offering handmade apparel, accessories, artwork & folkart; Navila Natural Shop, which creates beautiful handmade nesting dolls; Perfect Day Coffee, which offers ground coffee & accessories; and Wicked Buy, which sells upcycled alcohol bottles to create dazzling glassware. The new Outdoor Village, which is made possible thanks in part to funding received from the County of Northampton’s Hotel Tax Program, is also highlighted by cozy fire pits and igloos where patrons can relax while enjoying Gluhwein or a hot toddy!
Pet Photo Sessions with St. Nicholas
Nov. 22 & Dec. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Friday nights are pet night at Christkindlmarkt! For $5, your pet can join in on the family fun at Christkindlmarkt, and its ticket can be redeemed toward a photo package with jolly old St. Nicholas.
Food Vendors
Waffle De Lys comes to Christkindlmarkt with a tasty variety of authentic gourmet Belgain waffles with a French touch. A Musikfest favorite in 2019, The Flying V makes its Chriskindlmarkt debut weekends of the festival and serves up delicious poutine dishes including Buffalo Chicken Poutine, Bacon Poutine and Holidays Poutine Special. They make everything from scratch and use authentic Wisconsin cheese to create the perfect poutine!
Christkindlmarkt Hours:
Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fridays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
NEW! Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (opening hour earlier)
NEW! Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission:
Ages 13+: $10
Ages 6-12: $6
Ages 5 and under: FREE
Adult Season Passes: $20
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 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 make the holiday marketplace possible include 100.7 WLEV, 99.9 The Hawk, Adams Outdoor Advertising of the Lehigh Valley, B104, Burkholder’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Cat Country 96, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, Crayola, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Just Born Quality Confections, La Mega Radio, The Morning Call, Inc., Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, United States Postal Service and WFMZ-TV 69 News.
For tickets and more information on Christkindlmarkt and other Christmas City events, visit www.christmascity.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest
http://www.artsquest.org/
