BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With ArtsQuest's 33rd Christkindlmarkt opening in three weeks, construction of its new Winter Wonderland area is under way on the SteelStacks campus.
And ArtsQuest has announced additional details of the German-themed holiday market, which will open Friday, Nov. 14.
Winter Wonderland will transform the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks lawn — which in recent years has been the site of a seasonal ice-skating rink — into an expanded holiday village with new attractions, ArtsQuest previously announced.
Christkindlmarkt's tented areas will have new names, "each reflecting the charm and spirit of the holiday season while embracing the rich traditions of German holiday markets."ArtsQuest release
Those new areas, as well as Christkindlmarkt's traditional festive tents, will have new names, "each reflecting the charm and spirit of the holiday season while embracing the rich traditions of German holiday markets," ArtsQuest said.
Guests will be welcomed at Wilkommen Haus, "setting the festive tone from the moment they arrive," ArtsQuest said.
The market’s culinary and artisan offerings will be highlighted in Essen Haus and Hütte Markt at PNC Plaza, a welcoming area that will evoke "the cozy alpine huts of Germany," ArtsQuest said.
Craftsmanship and holiday cheer will "come alive in Handwerk Haus, Fest Haus and Glas Haus, while St. Nicholas greets visitors at St. Nickolaus Haus," according to the release.
The beverage stand, Wärmen Haus, and hospitality hub, Volks Haus, will "carry on the communal, welcoming spirit of a traditional German market," it said.
"Even the iconic Smart Tree is given a festive German twist as O Tannenbaum, tying the entire market together with authentic holiday charm," it said.
Igloos, glass-blowing, St. Nick visits
As previously announced, there will be new igloos in Winter Wonderland for rent for two-hour periods, 11 a.m. to closing.
The four cozy, private igloos will offer access for up to six guests with "comfy seating and a warm Amish fireplace," admission for two (additional tickets available for larger parties), a Bethlehem-branded blanket and a gallon of hot chocolate.
Guests also can add from Igloo Food & Beverage Packages, including Flatbread Flight, Sweet Ending Dessert Box or Bubbles + Dessert Box.
The cost will be $100 per session, or $78 from 5 p.m. to closing.
Also previously announced will be a new glassblowing experience and demonstration area, also in Winter Wonderland.
There, you'll be able to work one-on-one with an ArtsQuest hot glass instructor to create your own piece of art — a bubble bowl or the traditional glass ornament — from molten glass.
It's for ages 6 and older. Registration is required and will be available online soon at artsquest.org. Groups of six or more can contact dgardner@artsquest.org for specialized scheduling.
Visits with St. Nick also will be in Winter Wonderland in the new St. Nicholas Haus, an area redesigned with Bavarian-inspired décor and a whimsical twist.Tickets will be available soon.
The traditional Breakfast with St. Nick also will be in Winter Wonderland, at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. It includes hot breakfast, a 5-by-7-inch photo and craft making in the St. Nickolaus Haus.
It will include admission to Christkindlmarkt. Tickets, at $32.50 per person are available on the Christkindlmarkt website.
Cocktails, speed-dating and art
Old Fashioned Christmas tastings and an expanded Sip-n-Shop will again be part of the festivities.
ArtsQuest again will team up with Edrington and Levy Restaurants, with four festive cocktails crafted for sampling featuring Edrington's Brugal 1888, Wyoming Whiskey, Highland Park and No 3 Gin.
Tickets, at $40.50, include Christkindlmarkt admission, a meal by Levy Restaurant Executive Chef Julie Marble and a voucher for a full Brugal 1888 Espresso Martini cocktail from Christkindlmarkt’s Essen Haus bar.
There will be four sessions1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 13, and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 14, and a final session to be announced.
Another new experience this year will be First Impressions: A Holiday Speed Dating Experience, at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at the new Volks Haus at Winter Wonderland.
Tickets, at $38.50, include light bites, a cash bar and admission to Christkindlmarkt.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with fun icebreakers and calling card crafts, followed by two lively rounds of speed dating starting at 5:30 p.m.
New Art Making woodworking experience will be in 30-minute sessions from noon-4 p.m. every Sunday in the St. Nickolaus Haus.
Ages 8 and up can craft a three-dimensional wooden reindeer using a scroll saw. Once complete, decorate your reindeer with paint markers.
Guests of all ages also can create DIY ornaments from wood slices and papier-mâché in classic holiday shapes in 45-minute sessions from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 21 and Dec. 12, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.
Each craft ticket includes admission for one person to Christkindlmarkt. Craft registration will be available soon at artsquest.org.
Christkindlmarkt hours, packages
In addition to a previously announced partnership with the Illumination light show at Coca-Cola Park, Christkindlmarkt also will team with Wind Creek Event Center’s presentation of "Miracle on 34th Street."
A combination ticket for each is $81.55 per person. All Wednesday performances of "Miracle on 34th Street" are excluded.
Christkindlmarkt will run Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 30, then Thursdays-Sundays, Dec. 4 though Dec. 21.
Hours will be: Free Friday admission from 5 to 8 p.m., then paid admission 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Advance tickets, at $12 per person (free for ages 5 and younger) on Thursdays and Fridays and $14.50 for Saturdays and Sundays, are available on the Artsquest website.
That's a dollar more than last year for Thursdays and Fridays and 50 cents more for Saturdays and Sundays.
The price increases $1 per ticket if bought on the day of attendance.
