BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Bethlehem Vintage Market is closing out its 2025 season with a festive fall twist, drawing vendors and shoppers to the Rose Garden for a Halloween-inspired event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19.
Founded by local couple Sophie Nicholas and Brady McIntyre, the market has quickly grown from a modest gathering of a dozen vendors to a bustling destination for vintage lovers across the Lehigh Valley.
(Distributed flyer of vendors & market details for the 2025 season closer)
“This is our last market of the season, and while it’s not strictly Halloween-themed, we definitely lean into the fall vibe,” Nicholas said. “Last year we had vendors dressing up and handing out candy, and this year — especially with the rain date pushing us closer to Halloween — we’re encouraging even more of that.”
‘Pay-what-you-can’ art truck joins the lineup
One of the biggest additions this season is Project Propagate, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that will bring a massive pay-what-you-can art supply truck to the market.
(Courtesy Project Propagate)
“They reached out to us after visiting a previous market,” McIntyre said. “It’s such a great concept — everything on the truck is art supplies, and there’s no set price. It’s all about accessibility and giving back.”
Nicholas added that she plans to donate her own craft supplies and hopes shoppers will do the same.
“The idea of connecting art and community like that fits perfectly with what we’re trying to do,” she said.
New vendors arrive
The couple said the lineup will feature about 65 to 70 vendors, including some newcomers.
These include Rare Vintage, a Philadelphia-based shop specializing in Philly sports memorabilia; Blue Raven Record Shop, the market’s first dedicated vinyl vendor; and Chaotic Cosmetics, a brand known for its neon makeup — and for having sold products to pop-punk star Avril Lavigne.
“Vinyl has been huge lately,” McIntyre said. “Even people who don’t have record players are buying albums just to display. It’s wild.”
From courtyard to community staple
The Bethlehem Vintage Market launched in 2023 at the Sun Inn Courtyard with just 12 vendors. Two years later, it fills the Rose Garden each month with dozens of sellers offering everything from vintage apparel and jewelry to handcrafted goods and collectibles.
“The growth has been way faster than we expected,” Nicholas said. “We started with 12 vendors and a dream, and now we’re selling out the Rose Garden.”
Looking ahead
As the season wraps, Nicholas and McIntyre said they’re already planning for 2026, exploring new venues in the Lehigh Valley and the possibility of hosting themed or indoor winter markets.
“It’s tricky finding a venue that fits our needs indoors, especially in Bethlehem,” Nicholas said. “But we’re definitely thinking about ways to expand — maybe markets that focus on specific types of vendors, like jewelry or art.”
For the couple, who met through their shared love of vintage and now run the market together from their home in Bethlehem, the project remains a labor of love.
“Brady brings the vendor perspective, and I bring the shopper perspective,” Nicholas said. “Together, we just try to create something that feels good for everyone.”
The final Bethlehem Vintage Market of the season will be held Oct. 19 at the Bethlehem Rose Garden, featuring fall favorites, new vendors, and the Project Propagate art truck.