Bigger, more diverse Christkindlmarkt coming back for 33rd year, but without ice rink

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Christkindlmarkt, the German-themed holiday market that ArtsQuest has brought to South Bethlehem for more than 30 years, will return — even bigger — this year.

ArtsQuest announced Thursday that the 33rd annual Christkindlmarkt will add Winter Wonderland and immersive decor and photo opportunities, among other changes.

Also, a new performance stage will offer upwards of 75 live holiday performances.

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.

Also returning will be the sixth weekend Christkindlmarkt has had in recent years and free Friday evening admittance.

Christkindlmarkt will open Nov. 14 and run Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 30. It then will open Thursdays-Sundays, Dec. 4 though Dec. 21.

It is the second year that Christkindlmarkt will be open the weekend before Christmas, and because of the way the calendar falls, it will be open a day closer to Christmas than ever before.

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 Steelstacks 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.

Christmas City Combo tickets, which include admission to Christkindlmarkt and the Trees of Historic Bethlehem tour are $31.50, the same price as last year.

'Our community is ready for more'

Last year's Christkindlmarkt set a record with 128,384 visitors from 40 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., according to ArtsQuest.

That was 10,884 — or more than 9% more — than 2023's record of 117,500 visitors.

“Christkindlmarkt has become a cherished part of the Lehigh Valley’s holiday traditions, and with attendance reaching new heights year after year, it’s clear our community is ready for more,” ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel said.

“The new expansion, Winter Wonderland, allows us to enhance the guest experience while preserving the festive charm that makes Christkindlmarkt so special.”

It was that record attendance that prompted the expansion, ArtsQuest said in a release.

Attendance was especially high during peak times such as Saturdays and Free Friday evenings, with crowds frequently filling "the festival grounds shoulder-to-shoulder, underscoring the need for more space, more vendors and more experiences," ArtsQuest said.

Here's what's new

The new footprint will add:

• Immersive Décor & Photo Ops — A bigger, brighter Christkindlmarkt with expanded holiday photo opportunities and enhanced festive lighting.
• Improved Guest Flow — A new second entrance/exit within the expanded footprint to reduce congestion and wait times during peak hours along with convenience to multiple visitor parking lots.
• New Family & Entertainment Zones — More family-friendly areas and interactive experiences, including a new home for St. Nick, designed with Bavarian-inspired décor and a whimsical twist with enhanced seating and photo opportunities.
• A family craft area that will give children the opportunity to create their own holiday keepsakes.
• A new glassblowing experience and demonstration area, offering guests the chance to experience the Christkindlmarkt tradition in an expanded setting.
• Outdoor igloo rental packages to include food and beverage options, perfect for family and friend gatherings.
• Expanded Vendor Booths and Huts — A bigger footprint means more artisans and vendors to shop for those one-of-a-kind gifts.
• Several new huts will provide additional festive drink and dessert options.

New stage, hospitality tent, more

Another new attraction to Christkindlmarkt will be the permanent stage, which will feature local and regional musicians.

There will also be a new Large Hospitality Tent, which ArtsQuest said will be a "spacious, decorated hospitality area capable of seating up to 155 guests.

The heated venue will serve as a private rental space for holiday gatherings, corporate events, bus groups and more.

To rent the space, reach out to ArtsQuest's hospitality staff.

The expansion also will include additional seating and dining space for the public.

There also will be new events:

• Cookie Decorating and Martini Nights — A night out with friends, decorating holiday cookies and enjoying a festive drink. (21+)
• Speed Dating — Enjoy light bites and merry drinks while making new connections.
• Art Making — DIY and painting ornaments, make your own wooden advent calendars and more, plus a pop-up Artist Market.

"With these exciting changes, Christkindlmarkt 2025 promises to be the most immersive and memorable holiday market yet, fitting for a city proudly known as the Christmas City," the release said.

Jay Bradley

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LehighValleyNews.com

Traditions return, but not ice rink

Of course, Christkindlmarkt also will return with traditions of the season.

Christkindlmarkt 2025 again will offer "an incredible lineup of holiday shopping offering unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts."

There will be more than 170 artisans and crafters from 14 states and Scotland, and more than a dozen food vendors.

It had 180 vendors last year and in previous years, Christkindlmarkt has had up to 200 vendors.

Also returning popular experiences at Christkindlmarkt will be St. Nick breakfasts, additional character breakfast and even adult-themed holiday breakfasts.

Old Fashioned Christmas tastings and an expanded Sip-n-Shop will again be part of the festivities. More details on both will come soon, ArtsQuest said.

After three years, the Ice Rink at SteelStacks will not return. ArtsQuest in the past said it drew more than 10,000 patrons, but last year a 63-year-old woman died as a result of a fall at the rink.

"Stay tuned for all the additional details coming soon," the release said. "We can’t wait to celebrate the magic of the holidays with you at Christkindlmarkt."

For more information and to purchase tickets for Christkindlmarkt, visit its website.