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Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 101

October 7, 2020 | Written by

Photo by Craig Roberts

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem presented by Univest Financial returns for its 28th year with an all-new outdoor format featuring 60 artisans and vendors per weekend, as well as food and dining options, St. Nicholas and the return of popular German ornament manufacturer Käthe Wohlfahrt.

For 2020, the event has undergone a major transformation. Gone are the four large tents on SteelStacks’ PNC Plaza and in is a spacious, new layout highlighted by artisans and artists’ huts spread across the SteelStacks campus, coupled with the unique holiday décor and lighting of Rileighs Outdoor Décor. When the market opens in autumn, it will offer a fall festival flair, while November’s arrival will usher in a variety of holiday programming as it takes on the feel of an outdoor German market.

DATES & HOURS

Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 8-Nov. 29
(closed Thanksgiving)
Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (last entry at 6:30 p.m.)
Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (last entry at 6:30 p.m.)
Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)

www.christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt/

ARTISANS & VENDORS

This year’s festival features 60 artisans and vendors spread across three sections with artists coming from nearly 10 states. A complete list of artisans can be found here.

THE FOOD

Christkindlmarkt features a variety of delicious food, including holiday fare like strudel, German bratwurst and holiday cookies. Offerings from area food trucks will be available at the event’s entrance, while inside patrons can visit the Christkindlmarkt Food Court featuring a special holiday themed menu created by the Levy Culinary Team at SteelStacks. Those who purchase food will also be able to eat in the event’s Biergarten, which offers a diverse array of beers including Yuengling Hershey Chocolate Porter, as well as hot toddies and other beverages. Participating food trucks are Heaven on a Bun, Heidi’s Strudel/Island Expressions, Karl Ehmer and Waffle De Lys.

DINING AT CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Saturdays & Sundays Starting Nov. 7-8

Come November, Christkindlmarkt will offer a new “Dining at Christkindlmarkt” experience complete with a special holiday dining menu featuring vegan-fal-waffles, five-cheese lobster mac-n-cheese and fried chicken and waffles. Dining will take place on SteelStacks’ Air Products Town Square or inside the ArtsQuest Center, in the case of inclement weather. Listen to contemporary and classic holiday music at one of two different seating sessions – 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 1:45-4 p.m. Parties who want to attend the “Dining at Christkindlmarkt” shows must make a separate reservation in advance; tables fit up to four people in the same party
Additional ticket required; visit ChristmasCity.org for performers and reservations.

ATTRACTIONS

Storytime & Socially Distanced Photos with St. Nicholas
Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

St. Nick is taking up residence on the Levitt Pavilion this year! He’ll spend the first part of each session reading one of his holiday favorites, from his home, on the Levitt stage. After that, every child in attendance is welcome to come up on stage, maintaining social distancing, to tell St. Nick what gifts he should pass onto Santa for his list!

Each square can accommodate up to four people in the same party for $25 a square and $22.50 for ArtsQuest members. Patrons should bring any chairs or blankets they’d like to have with them for seating on the Levitt Lawn.
Additional ticket required; visit ChristmasCity.org for details

Cooking with St. Nicholas
Sunday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. Via Zoom

New this year, kids can take part in a fun virtual cooking lesson with jolly old St. Nick via Zoom! Children will have the opportunity to watch and learn with St. Nicholas as he cooks up some easy and delicious treats that you can make at home.
Additional ticket required; visit ChristmasCity.org for details.

Messages from St. Nick
$10 for the public, $9 for ArtsQuest Members

If you can’t bring your kids to St. Nick this year, we can bring him to your kids! Send us a few lines about your children, what they might want for the holidays this year, and anything else you’d want St. Nick to say (Do you need them to behave? Pay more attention to Zoom school? Clean up their room?) and St. Nick will incorporate that into a special video message all their own.
Additional ticket required; visit ChristmasCity.org for details.

Käthe Wohlfahrt
Daily

An annual highlight of Christkindlmarkt, Germany’s Käthe Wohlfahrt is back for its 21st year with more than 2,000 products including exquisite, handmade nutcrackers, incense smokers, pyramids, schwibbogens and wood, glass and pewter ornaments, all to be sold on the PNC Plaza.

ADMISSION TICKETS

Thursdays: $9
Fridays: $10
Saturdays: $10
Sundays: $10
Children ages 2 and under – FREE

Tickets are available by CLICKING HERE.

Due to state restrictions on crowd size, a limited number of tickets are available per session each day, so we cannot guarantee admission to guests who do not purchase tickets in advance. There will be an additional $4 in service and cleaning fees on tickets purchased at the door.