Christkindlmarkt Christmas Market in Bethlehem, PA

Ranked #1,682 in Travel & Places, #62,217 overall | Donates to EnviroCorps

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem Christmas Market in Pennsylvania's Christmas City

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is a world-renowned holiday marketplace recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the world's best Christmas festivals. This annual holiday event held in eastern Pennsylvania features a shopping market under big tents filled with vendors selling fine arts, gifts, toys, ornaments, Christmas decorations, crafts and food. There's also free seasonal entertainment each day the market is open, and horse-drawn carriage tours of Historic Bethlehem and the Steelworks area

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is modeled after the German Christmas holiday shopping markets and features more than 150 artisans during its four week run every year. Authentic German foods, crafts and seasonal entertainment are a featured part of the 4-week festival.

Founded by Moravians on Christmas Eve 1741, Pennsylvania's Christmas City, Bethlehem,, is known for its warm, friendly celebrations during the holiday season including the world-renowned Old World style marketplace, Christkindlmarkt, and its New Year celebration, First Night Bethlehem.

Bethlehem hosts equally appealing summer cultural and arts events, including the world-famous 10-day Musikfest celebration of art, music and beer held each year in August since 1984.

In 2011, Christkindlmarkt moved to a new location, at the Steel Stacks complex (built on the former Bethlehem Steel grounds) adjacent to the Sands Casino at 645 E. First Street PNC Plaza Bethlehem PA.

When is Christkindlmarkt This Year?

What Crafters Will be at Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem?

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is a multi-week holiday season event that takes place Thursday-Sunday starting the just before Thanksgiving and ending the weekend before Christmas. The annual shopping and entertainment festival includes indoor and outdoor events, so weather won't stop the celebration!

Christkindlmarkt professional holiday crafters

The Christmas Pickle - German Christmas Ornament

Traditionally, the pickle ornament must be hidden well in the Christmas tree. Children try to find the pickle ornament.

Old World Christmas The Pickle Ornament

Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now

Do you have a Christmas pickle ornament for your tree? It' great fun for my grandchildren to try to discover where the pickle ornament is hiding on the Christmas tree!

Bethlehem City Guide

Loading

Family Fun at Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, Pennylvania

A family video of a day in the Christmas City, 2007

Fun, food, holiday music, lights, crafts, ice carvers, and family entertainment in and around Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem at Christmas time.
Bethlehem PA
by jediboys | video info

1 rating | 1,065 views
curated content from YouTube

Bethlehem Star Ornaments

Porcelain star ornaments with verse

A package of 12 star ornaments with inscription "God made His light shine in our heart" s on the front and "Be a light for other people" on the back side of the porcelain ornament.

Club Pack of 12 Porcelain Bethlehem Star Christmas Ornaments with Verses

Amazon Price: (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now

These beautifully crafted porcelain star of Bethlehem ornaments come ready-to-hang on a white ribbon.

Images of America, Pictorial History of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem (PA) (Images of America)

Amazon Price: $13.05 (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $21.99
Used Price: $13.84

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

The Star of Bethlehem Overlooks the Christmas City

Moravian star, German Christmas star, Star of BethlehemBethlehem boasts a towering electric Moravian star that shines over the Christmas City every night from 4:30 until midnight. The star tower is located on South Mountain overlooking the city and surrounding area. Originally constructed of wooden planks, the star was replaced with a steel structure in the late 1930s which was further renovated and redesign in the 1960s.

During World War II Bethlehem's star and the city's Christmas lights were both kept turned off because of concerns about possible enemy air attacks.

Talk PA offers an interesting history of Bethlehem's Moravian Star.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

Shop for exquisite handmade works by the nation's finest artisans, enjoy heart-warming live holiday music, authentic German and Austrian food in America's Christmas City

Star of Bethlehem Pendant

Classic silver pendant with the Christmas star

Give a gift with the symbol of Jesus' birth. Perfect to wear at any time, especially meaningful for Christmas season and for services.

Silver-tone Star of Bethlehem Necklace - 18 Inch - JewelryWeb

Amazon Price: (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now

Silver Christmas star pendant necklace features the star of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

A historic place, Christmas City

From a High Point Of View by MichaelLaMartin
Under Protective Eyes by MichaelLaMartin
Dangerous Places For Children by MichaelLaMartin
University by A. Strakey
Doughboys by A. Strakey
Abandoned by MichaelLaMartin
 by MichaelLaMartin
With Parental Guidance by MichaelLaMartin
Trailing Along by MichaelLaMartin
O Christmas tree by cathyse97
automatically generated by Flickr

Count Zinzendorf, founding patron of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania)

Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, the German patron who sponsored the Moravian settlers in Pennsylvania paid a visit to the settlement on Christmas Eve and named the community Bethlehem in the mid 1700s.

Count Zinzendorf: First Fruit (Christian Heroes: Then & Now)

Amazon Price: $5.03 (as of 05/24/2012)Buy Now

German Style Christmas Market Place

Loading

Happy Holiday Shopping in America's Christmas City

Delightful unique shops in walkable downtown Bethlehem

Shoppers throng from all over the world to enjoy Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - America's Christmas City. Have you visited the city for this event, or for Musikfest? Share your thoughts and comments here.

  • mbgphoto Dec 10, 2010 @ 7:51 am | delete
    This looks like a lot of fun. Blessed and added to my December Blessings lens.
  • outsource123 Dec 10, 2010 @ 1:19 am | delete
    Great lense guys!
  • AmateurAtHTML Nov 19, 2010 @ 3:38 pm | delete
    I lived in Allentown for a while. I really miss the Lehigh Valley. This is great. Thanks!
  • JoyfulPamela Oct 24, 2009 @ 9:50 am | delete
    Wow ~ I have lived not too far away from Bethlehem, but I never realized all the activities that take place. Thank you for sharing this. We will have to make this a day trip this year!
    Pamela :)
  • OhMe Oct 12, 2009 @ 9:51 am | delete
    I sure wish I lived closer so I could attend the Christkindlmarkt and see Bethlehem, PA. sounds wonderful!
  • JaguarJulie Aug 6, 2009 @ 4:04 pm | delete
    What an interesting place to visit! It sounds like the perfect ticket for the holidays.
  • annetteghallowell Jun 11, 2009 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    How have I missed this? I may have to change my mind about not going north any time after October! Thank you for this great introduction, it is a heck of a lot closer than Germany!
  • AwakenYourSpirit Oct 14, 2008 @ 6:34 pm | delete
    Interesting lens... I've never heard of Christmas City before now! Ranked and rolled... I'm sure my Christmas story lens visitors will find this lens interesting and entertaining.

Moravian Star Outdoor Light

Star of Bethlehem Lighted Display Ornament

The city of Bethlehem lights a gigantic star like this on the mountain that overlooks the city. Every night the star shines brightly in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, guiding visitors to the Christmas City.

LED White Bethlehem Star with Twinkle Center

Amazon Price: (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

Decorate your home or office with a lighted star of Bethlehem, the symbol of Christmas and the Christmas city.

Weather in Bethlehem, PA

Current weather conditions in Bethlehem, PA (18018)

Local Pollen Reports

70°F (Feels like 70°F)

Last update: 5/24/12 6:51 PM EDT

Humidity: 78%
Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 63°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.11in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 7mph From: Airport Conditions
powered by weather.com

Tonight


Low
Low: 63°F
Sunrise: 5:37 AM
Sunset: 8:20 PM
 

Friday
May 25 


N/A
High: 82°F
Low: 63°F
Sunrise: 5:37 AM
Sunset: 8:21 PM

Saturday
May 26 


Isolated T-Storms
High: 87°F
Low: 65°F
Sunrise: 5:36 AM
Sunset: 8:22 PM

Sunday
May 27 


Partly Cloudy
High: 83°F
Low: 68°F
Sunrise: 5:35 AM
Sunset: 8:23 PM

Driving Directions to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem is conveniently located about 2 hours from New York or 1 hour from Philadelphia traveling by automobile.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Books and Maps

Loading

Lehigh Valley Guide to the Arts

Cultural Information - Bethlehem Pennsylvania

Explore Bethlehem Pennsylvania

Christmas in Bethlehem, PA - MSN City Guide

ArtsQuest - non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the arts and culture in and around the greater Lehigh Valley and sponsor of Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission - sponsors of performing and visual arts and cultural events including Annual Fine Arts Show

Arts & Museums - Bethlehem Online

SteelStax - 21st-century town square where history, culture, education and the arts will intersect with technology and celebration.

More to do in Bethlehem, PA

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Active Life in 18018

Healing Hands Massage Therapy Center (Bethlehem)  
"I had such a wonderful and relaxing experience here! I can't wait to go back!! I highly recommend it!" more
Yoga Loft (Bethlehem)  
"Beautiful, naturally lit space. Teachers are excellent. Class offerings are diverse. Two changing rooms and separate bathrooms, so OK to come for class..." more
Dutch Springs (Bethlehem)  
"Dutch is the best dive site in the area. It has consistently decent visibility, plenty of training platforms, and a wide range of attractions to explore...." more
Action Wheels (Bethlehem)  
"For the longest time, this was the only bike shop I knew about. Or it was the closest one to me, so convenience won out (no longer true, since Cutters on..." more
Bethlehem Bicycle Cooperative (Bethlehem)  
"They have moved to 14 W. Raspberry St. Bethlehem, PA. A great organization to belong to if you are interested in alternative forms of transportation and..." more
powered by Yelp

Bethlehem City Statistics

The population of 18018 is 33,173.

That's #2545 out of all 42,305 zip codes.

84% of the population is white, which is 10 points more than the national average.

The average household income in 18018 is $39,177, which is $9,479 more than the typical average.

This contributes to the average house being worth $93,400. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 19% from the typical value.

Men make up 44% of the population, and the typical age in this part of PA is 38.9.

Stats about: Bethlehem, PA

Population: 33,173
Elevation: 211 ft

Population Breakdown:

Population Chart

Love This Lens?

Please take a moment to give this lens a thumbs up - or you can lensroll it or fave it (Squidoo members only).

Anyone can email a link to this lens - send one to a friend (or yourself) for future reference.

This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.

Add this to your lens »

More Bethlehem Attractions

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a destination travel favorite for families and singles. The area is rich in history, culture and nightlife. Located only 2 hours from New York, Bethlehem features year-round attractions including the newly opened Sands Casino Resort complex.
Loading

by

Pastiche

Christkindlmarkt in the Christmas City is a wonderful experience for the whole family. Spend a day or a weekend in Bethlehem to visit the marketplace,... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Star of Bethlehem Lights 

Nightlife - Godfrey Daniels Music 

Bethlehem, PA

Good Lodging, Good Eats 

Inncredible Edibles: A Sampling of Recipes from Pennsylvania's Bed & Breakfast Inns

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now