The holiday season often means carols, ringing bells, warm, spiced beverages, and—the less accessible, but equally iconic—Christmas markets that twinkle across Germany and the rest of Europe each year. For those not planning a trek to another continent this year, your seasonal itinerary can still include a visit to a excellent Christmas market in the Lehigh Valley.
The three-decade-old, German-inspired Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem takes place each year in a town with its own Germanic roots and an identity built around Christmas that stretches back across three centuries. On Christmas Eve 1741, German Moravian bishop Nicolaus Zinzendorf christened the city Bethlehem. In 1747, it became the first US city to sport a decorated Christmas tree. It’s no surprise then that the popular Christmas destination adopted the nickname Christmas City USA in December 1937.
Revelers flock to Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem each year for festive holiday shopping including handmade arts, crafts, gifts, and authentic Bavarian decorations from lauded German ornament manufacturer Käthe Wohlfahrt. For 22 years, Käthe Wohlfahrt has set up shop at the market with handmade schwibbogens, nutcrackers, and glass ornaments.
While it’s easy to spend a fortnight’s wages on unique ornaments, you can save some time and cash by opting for special performances (and an appearance by St. Nicholas), or lacing up for ice skating at The Ice Rink at SteelStacks. After working up an appetite, take a break with strudel, bratwurst, Christmas cookies, and more from local food vendors.
Drive time:
1 hour, 50 minutes from NYC
1 hour, 20 minutes from Philadelphia
4 hours, 50 minutes from Boston
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem takes place at the PNC Plaza at the 10-acre SteelStacks campus and runs weekends from November 15 through December 22.