BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Christkindlmarkt, the German-themed holiday market that ArtsQuest has brought to South Bethlehem for more than 30 years, will be open even more days this year.
The festival, which features which retailers, artisans and food in heated tents on the SteelStacks campus, will open for its 32nd year on the weekend of Nov. 15 (it opened on Nov. 17 last year.).
Christkindlmarkt will open Fridays-Sundays for its first three weeks, then expand to Thursdays-Sundays.
This year, Christkindlmarkt also will be open the weekend before Christmas, Dec. 19-22. Last year, it concluded Dec. 14-17.
“The holiday season in Christmas City is unlike any other. Families from across the region, and beyond, come to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season."ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert
Hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 1 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Advance tickets, at $11 per person (free for ages 5 and younger) on Thursdays and Fridays and $14 for Saturdays and Sundays, are available on the Steelstacks website.
The price increases $1 per ticket if bought on the day of attendance.
Admission again will be free from 5-8 p.m. Fridays.
Christmas City Combo tickets are on sale at $31.50 that includes visits to all three stops on the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour.
Coming off two straight record years
Last year's Christkindlmarkt drew a record audience of more than 117,500 people during its run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 17, ArtsQuest said. That was up more than 9% from 2022's attendance of 107,000 — also a record.
“The holiday season in Christmas City is unlike any other," ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert said. "Families from across the region, and beyond, come to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season."
"It’s a joyful time for the entire community to visit and celebrate while supporting the local business community during the holiday season.”ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert
With Christkindlmarkt right next door to the Ice Rink at SteelStacks, "the SteelStacks campus is transformed into a fun and festive winter wonderland experience," Hilgert said.
The Ice Rink at SteelStacks is set to open on Nov. 22-Jan. 5.
In addition to holiday shopping, Christkindlmarkt offers hands-on holiday-themed craft making, seasonal foods such as warm strudel, hot poutine, potato pancakes and holiday beverages, and visits with St. Nicholas.
"We are grateful to all of the vendors and retailers — those who return year after year along with new ones," Hilgert said.
"It’s a joyful time for the entire community to visit and celebrate while supporting the local business community during the holiday season.”
Old Fashioned cocktail tastings
In past years, Christkindlmarkt offered more than 200 vendors and artisans selling hand-crafted Christmas decorations, jewelry, clothing, toys and other items by fine artisans; Käthe Wohlfahrt handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany; food and entertainment.
ArtsQuest has partnered with Edrington and Levy Restaurants to bring back, and add new twists to, last year’s sold-out tastings built around the Old-Fashioned cocktail.
An Old Fashioned Christmas will take at 1 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 14.
Ticketholders will get four different Old Fashioneds to sample using spirits from the Edrington portfolio.
An Old Fashioned Christmas ticket gets you admission into Christkindlmarkt, a full old-fashioned cocktail from one of the Christkindlmarkt bars and food from Levy Restaurant Executive Chef Julie Marble.
