When Does Christkindlmarkt Start?

Christkindlmarkt, the annual holiday marketplace run by ArtsQuest, returns for its 21st year beginning Thursday, Nov. 21 at SteelStacks.

This year’s event will feature more than 125 artisans and vendors each weekend, and over 170 different vendors over the course of its five-week run, which will end on Dec. 22.

Recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine, Christkindlmarkt features aisles of handmade works by the nation’s finest artisans; traditional and contemporary holiday music; and a variety of food from vendors offering bratwursts, strudel, German roasted almonds, barbeque and more.

The 2013 event will include artisans from a dozen states offering thousands of great gift ideas ranging from stained glass Moravian stars to handmade jewelry and handcrafted wooden Santas.

New at Christkindlmarkt this year are life-sized contemporary playhouses created by the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Architects Institute of America. Designed by area architects, these playhouses will be on display throughout Christkindlmarkt, with children invited to explore them all.

The houses will be auctioned via a silent bidding process, with proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.

Other Christkindlmarkt highlights include Hidden Pines Farms, offering live Christmas trees and wreaths for sale; Make Your Own Glass Ornament Sessions, where children and adults can work with glass artists to create hand-blown ornaments; ice carvers creating sculptures using chainsaws, picks and blowtorches; and Breakfast with St. Nicholas (Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and 14), where children can meet and have their photos taken with the jolly, old man himself.

Germany’s Käthe Wohlfarht, one of the most popular attractions at Christkindlmarkt, is also back with its amazing collection of handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles.

The festive holiday atmosphere will be evident outside of the traditional festival tents throughout the SteelStacks campus.

Every night from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, the public can visit SteelStacks to stroll the walkways draped in holiday lights and 1930s-era decorations reminiscent of the days when Bethlehem first became known as The Christmas City.

At 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. every Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 21 to Dec. 22, there will be a holiday-themed music and light show on the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces, the towering structures from which SteelStacks takes its name.

In addition, guests can enjoy cozy, horse-drawn carriage and wagonette rides through Bethlehem’s historic SouthSide every Saturday and Sunday starting Nov. 23, plus ride the free Christmas City Trolley every Thursday through Sunday starting Nov. 29 to experience all of Bethlehem’s holiday events and attractions.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem hours are Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving); Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Free parking is available adjacent to the venue, located at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks.  Advance tickets for Christkindlmarkt are $8 for ages 13 and older, $4 for ages 6-12, and admission is free for ages 5 and under.

ArtsQuest members are also admitted free.

Advance season passes are $18 for ages 13 and older, and $8 for ages 6-12. Tickets and season passes are on sale now at www.christkindlmarkt.org and 610-332-3378.