Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 2026: One Day Guide & Tips

Updated October 2026

Is it any wonder that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a hot spot during the Christmas season? This charming Lehigh Valley city has been nicknamed “Christmas City USA” since a ceremony at the Hotel Bethlehem on December 7, 1937. It’s home to Lehigh University and Moravian University, a gorgeous historic downtown, delicious restaurants, and cute and funky shops. In 2025, a record 145,552 people visited Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, up nearly 14% from 2024, according to ArtsQuest. So what should you do with one day in the Christmas City?

I spend a full day at Christkindlmarkt every single year with my Mom and sister, wandering Bethlehem, and I’ve updated this guide with everything you need to know for the 2026 market: dates, hours, tickets, parking, and what’s new. Then I’ll walk you through exactly how I’d spend the day, from coffee to Christmas lights.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 2026: Quick Facts

• Dates: November 13–15, November 20–22, November 27–29, December 3–6, December 10–13, and December 17–20, 2026
• Hours: Thursdays and Sundays 10 am – 6 pm; Fridays and Saturdays 10 am – 8 pm. l
• Tickets: $14 on Thursdays and Fridays, $16.50 on Saturdays and Sundays (fees and tax included). Kids 5 and under are free.
• Free admission: Every Friday from 5– 8 p.m.
• Location: PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
• Parking: Free lots next to the market (first-come, first-served) plus nearby city garages with all-day rates.
• Payment: Cashless (cards and mobile pay); some individual artisans may take cash.
• Pets: Not allowed. Only trained service dogs can come in.
• Weather: Rain or shine. Most vendors are in heated tents.

Where Is Bethlehem, PA?

Bethlehem is in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania, between Allentown and Easton. It’s a short one-hour drive from Philadelphia, less than two hours from New York City, and just over three hours from Washington, DC, which makes it an easy day trip or a perfect stop on a holiday road trip.

Why Is Bethlehem Called The Christmas City?

Bethlehem was founded by Moravian settlers, and on Christmas Eve in 1741, their leader, Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, named the settlement Bethlehem after the biblical birthplace of Jesus. Fast forward to December 7, 1937: in the middle of the Great Depression, the city officially adopted the nickname “Christmas City USA” at a ceremony at the Hotel Bethlehem, and soon after, a giant illuminated star went up on South Mountain. You can still see it shining over the city today.

And in 2024, the original Moravian settlement in Bethlehem was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So yes, all those candles in the windows of the old Germanic stone buildings are part of a very real, very old tradition!

What Is Christkindlmarkt?

Christkindlmarkt is a German-style Christmas market. Bethlehem’s version is run by the nonprofit ArtsQuest and set up at SteelStacks, in the shadow of the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces. 2026 is its 34th year.

You can expect more than 200 artisans, crafters, and retailers from 18 states and Scotland, and 7 food vendors, plus heated tents full of handmade gifts, live holiday music, St. Nick, German ornaments, and plenty of warm drinks. It’s even been named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure and one of the top holiday markets in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice competition, and it’s big: in 2025 it set a record with 145,552 visitors.

Fun fact: if you’ve seen it spelled “Christkindlmarket,” that’s the same idea. Chicago’s market uses that spelling, while Bethlehem’s is officially Christkindlmarkt.

What’s New At Christkindlmarkt For 2026?

If you haven’t been since before 2025, the layout is different! Here’s what’s new and returning this year:

• Winter Wonderland: The old ice-skating rink area on the Levitt Pavilion lawn is now an outdoor holiday village with fire pits, food and drink huts, photo spots, St. Nickolaus Haus, and a second entrance. It’s included with your admission.
• Twice as many private igloos: According to ArtsQuest, the heated igloos sold out during the majority of 2025 weekends, with 192 families and groups booking them, so there are now eight instead of four. Each rental is two hours for up to six people and includes a fireplace, admission for two, a Bethlehem blanket and a gallon of hot chocolate.
• Bag check: New this year, you can check your shopping bags for a small fee at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks. Hallelujah for not hauling your haul around all day!
• Holiday Pop-Up Artist Market: Emerging local artists at the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory on December 5 and 6 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and in Winter Wonderland on December 20 (10 am – 6 pm).
• Holiday beer tasting: Saturday, November 21 at 4 pm in Volks Haus.
• Hot Glass Experiences: Make your own glass ornament or bubble bowl with an ArtsQuest glass artist at Glas Haus. Ages 6 and up, and you’ll need to register ahead.

Christkindlmarkt 2026 Special Events

Some of these sell out, so grab tickets early if one catches your eye:

• First Impressions holiday speed dating (21+): Friday, November 13 at 6 pm.
• Breakfast with Bluey and Bingo: Sunday, November 22 at 9 a.m.
• Breakfast with St. Nick: November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19 at 9 am.
• An Old Fashioned Christmas cocktail tasting (21+): November 29 and December 6 and 13 at 2:30 pm.
• Sip ’n’ Shop (21+): Saturday, December 19, with check-in at 4 pm.
• Visits with St. Nick: Thursdays and Sundays 10 am – 5 pm; Fridays and Saturdays 10 am – 7 pm.

Christkindlmarkt Tickets: What To Know

You can buy tickets on the ArtsQuest website before you go if you don’t want to wait in line. When I went, I watched people wait in long lines to buy tickets at the gate, and buying ahead means you just walk right in. A few more ticket tips:

• Tickets are sold by date, and all sales are final. It’s a rain-or-shine event.
• Want to save money? Go on a Friday evening between 5 and 8 pm, when admission is free!
• ArtsQuest Silver members (and up) get in free all season. Bronze members get a dollar off.
• Christmas City Combo: Pair Christkindlmarkt with the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibit downtown.
• Merry & Bright package: Pair Christkindlmarkt with the Illumination light show at Coca-Cola Park on the same day. It’s sold in advance only and is good on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Where Do I Park For Christkindlmarkt?

Free public parking is right next to the market at SteelStacks (PNC Plaza, 645 E. First Street). Just follow the signs and event staff to the nearest open lot. It’s first-come, first-served, and it fills up fast on Saturdays, so get there early!

If the lots are full, the Bethlehem Parking Authority garages in the SouthSide Arts District offer special all-day rates during Christkindlmarkt:

• Polk Street Garage (closest to the market, right across from the SteelStacks lots)
• Riverport Garage
• South New Street Garage

Accessibility: There’s limited accessible parking on campus, and you can be dropped off and picked up on First Street in front of Willkommen Haus. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the Willkommen Haus entrance.

One Day At Christkindlmarkt In Bethlehem

Start Your Morning At The Joint Coffee Co 

• 77 W Broad Street 18 C, Bethlehem, PA 18018

On your way into town, stop and grab a coffee or latte at The Joint Coffee Co. Tucked away facing the Sun Inn Courtyard, this hidden gem is a coffee lover’s paradise. Friendly staff, great vibes, and superb coffee and lattes. Try the cold brew or chai! If you want a quick bite, grab something from the pastry case. Heads up, it’s small and a little tricky to find the first time, so look for the courtyard just off Main Street.

Head To The SteelStacks 

• 101 Founders Way

SteelStacks is a 10-acre arts and culture campus built on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant, once the second-largest steel producer in the country. Bethlehem Steel made steel for skyscrapers, bridges, and warships, and the furnaces here ran for the last time on November 18, 1995. Today the rusted blast furnaces tower over everything, and it’s such a cool spot to walk around before you head into Christkindlmarkt. You can take a tour or just wander around yourself, like I did. Don’t miss the elevated walkway along the furnaces for the best views!

Enter The Magical Christkindlmarkt

• You can buy tickets HERE.

Christkindlmarkt opens at 10 am. If you’re going on a weekend, I’d get there right at opening, when the tents are calmer, and the parking lots still have spots. Once you’re in, you’ll find heated tents packed with handmade goods, live Christmas music from local choirs and bands on the Levitt Performance Area stage, and the whole Winter Wonderland village outside.

Grab A Mulled Wine Or A Ho-Ho-Hot Toddy 

You’ll want to wander the market with something warm in your hands. The bars around the market pour hot toddies, holiday cocktails, wine, and Yuengling. In 2025, the Winter Wonderland huts also had imported German treats and glühwein (mulled wine). When I went, I tried the Ho-Ho-Hot Toddy with Jack Daniels, and I ended up ordering it cold. It was delicious! Drink menus change every year, so take a lap and see what’s pouring before you commit. Remember, it’s cashless, so have your card or phone ready.

Warm Up By The Fire In Winter Wonderland

When I visited, the outdoor courtyard had domes and chairs set up around cozy fires, and it was my favorite spot to sit with a drink and take it all in. That area has grown into Winter Wonderland, with fire pits, festive huts, and private heated igloos. Last year there were also a few free igloos that you could duck into. If you’re going with a group, book an igloo ahead of time. They’re a total splurge, but so fun for a family or friends’ outing.

Peruse The Handmade Local Goods 

Plan for at least two to three hours of shopping, and longer if you’re a browser like me! Winter Wonderland has heated tents and outdoor vendors, and the market is chock full of beautiful things. Make sure you check out every tent, because some of my favorite finds were tucked into the back corners. And bonus: when you buy here, you’re supporting small businesses and independent artists.

Some Of My Favorite Vendors From My Last Few Visits

Vendors rotate from weekend to weekend and year to year, so check the ArtsQuest artisan list for 2026 before you go. Here’s who I loved when I was there:

• Tigerlily Boutiques & Botanica: gorgeous jewelry and leathercraft!
• Your Birth Moon: the coolest lunar jewelry, featuring the moon on the day you were born.
• Whisker Biscuits: of course I had to grab Freya an elk antler here. They also sell pet CBD, and they ship!
• Astro Vinyl Art: old records turned into really cool art pieces.
• The Tea Can Company: delicious teas.
• Donegal Square – Irish sweaters, felt caps, accessories, and jewelry; McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub baked goods. 
• ArtsQuest Glass: beautiful, one-of-a-kind blown glass ornaments. If you’d rather make your own, book a Hot Glass Experience at Glas Haus. Just know your piece needs about 48 hours to cool, so you’ll either come back for it or pay for shipping.

Don’t Skip Käthe Wohlfahrt German Goods

Käthe Wohlfahrt, the famous German Christmas shop, is back again in 2026 with its amazing collection of ornaments, nutcrackers, incense smokers, and collectibles. This area of the market will inevitably be packed, but don’t let that stop you from taking in all the beautifully crafted German goods. Make it a tradition to pick out a new ornament every year, like my sister, or a new cute “smoker,” like my Mom. I, of course, don’t have any room for that stuff in the camper, but I love looking and browsing this place.

Grab Some Snacks 

Whether it’s from a food stand or one of the Winter Wonderland huts, make sure you try some of the food at Christkindlmarkt. There’s something for everyone, from strudel and bratwurst to German roasted nuts and Christmas cookies.

When I visited, these were my picks (food vendors change year to year, so check the 2026 lineup):

• German comfort food: potato pancakes, schnitzel, goulash, sauerbraten and haluski
• Heidi’s Strudel: strudel and German roasted nuts. The smell alone will pull you in!
• The Flying V: the best poutine I’ve had outside of Canada. Classic, bacon, buffalo chicken, veggie and a holiday special.
• Hot drinks: coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider to keep your hands warm

After The Market, Head To Downtown Bethlehem 

Drive time: about 5 minutes. You’ll need to drive (or take a ride) from SteelStacks over the river to Main Street. Parking garages are the easiest way to park downtown at this time of year, and most take cards.

You don’t want to miss this charming downtown. It’s beautifully decorated for the holidays, and you’ll hear the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages as they mosey on by. Window shop the beautifully decorated storefronts as you walk, and if you’re visiting Friday through Sunday between November 20 and December 20, 2026, stop by the free Christmas City Village. Its wooden holiday huts are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Main Street and in the Sun Inn Courtyard.

Want a carriage ride? Christmas carriage and sleigh rides leave from the corner of Church and Main Streets by Central Moravian Church from November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, about every 20 minutes in the afternoons and evenings. Reservations are required, and holiday dates fill fast. On my visit, I couldn’t find details on how the horses are cared for, though they all seemed well treated while I was there. If that matters to you as it does to me, ask the carriage company about their horses’ care and rest schedule before you book.

Experience Christmas In The Christmas City 

The Historic Hotel Bethlehem has a truly spectacular holiday display: more than 35,000 Christmas lights, more than 25 uniquely decorated Christmas trees, six 7-foot toy soldiers, two life-size Nutcrackers, and a gingerbread house modeled after the hotel. You can wander around the lobby and take in all of the decorations even if you’re not staying there.

Fun fact: back in 1937, the hotel held the ceremony that first lit up the Christmas City!

Grab Dinner At McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub & Whiskey Bar

• 534 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
• Check Out The Menu HERE

You’ll most likely have to wait a bit at the Red Stag during the holidays, but it’s worth it. The cozy, old-world pub will transport you to a different place and time. It’s a tradition that we always have lunch or dinner here on every Christkindlmrkt trip! Enjoy authentic, made-from-scratch Irish and British Isles food while sipping something from their huge Irish and Scotch whiskey list. Grab a scone on your way out! It’s the perfect way to relax after a wonderful day in Bethlehem. Note that they’re closed on Mondays

Stroll Through Bethlehem To Take In The Christmas Lights

Main Street is decked out in Christmas lights! The historic north side glows with white lights, and look up to spot the Star of Bethlehem shining on South Mountain.

If you’re downtown at 5:30 pm any night from December 1 to 23, wander over to the Goundie House at 501 Main Street for the city’s Live Advent Calendar, when a new “door” opens each evening (2026 listing puts it in the Sun Inn Courtyard, so double-check before you go – I’ll update once I visit in November). Then take one last loop before heading home after your day at Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA.

Tips For Visiting Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

• Buy tickets ahead on the ArtsQuest website to skip the ticket line.
• Go on a Thursday or a weekday-ish Friday in December if you can. Saturdays in the middle of the day are the most crowded.
• Take advantage of free Fridays from 5–8 pm. You get free admission and the furnaces and lights after dark.
• Arrive at opening on weekends for the best parking and calmer tents.
• Bring your card or phone. The market is cashless.
• Use the new bag check at the Bethlehem Visitor Center, so you’re not juggling bags all day.
• Dress in layers. It’s cold walking between tents and outside in Winter Wonderland, but the heated tents can get toasty.
• Leave the pup at home. Only service dogs are allowed.
• Pair it with the Trees of Historic Bethlehem using the Christmas City Combo if you’re spending the whole day.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem FAQ

When is Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 2026?

Christkindlmarkt runs six weekends from November 13 to December 20, 2026. It’s open Fridays through Sundays in November (Nov 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29) and Thursdays through Sundays in December (Dec 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20).

What are the Christkindlmarkt hours?

It’s open 10 am to 6 pm on Thursdays and Sundays, and 10 am to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

How much are Christkindlmarkt tickets?

In 2026, tickets are $14 on Thursdays and Fridays and $16.50 on Saturdays and Sundays, with fees and tax included. Children 5 and under get in free.

Is Christkindlmarkt ever free?

Yes! Admission is free every Friday from 5 to 8 pm.

Is parking free at Christkindlmarkt?

Yes. There’s free public parking right next to the market at SteelStacks, first-come, first-served. Nearby city garages (Polk Street, Riverport and South New Street) offer special all-day rates if the lots fill up.

Is Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem indoors or outdoors?

Both. Most vendors and food are inside heated tents, and the Winter Wonderland village and some vendors are outside. It’s open rain or shine.

Can I bring my dog to Christkindlmarkt?

No. Pets aren’t allowed at Christkindlmarkt. Only trained service dogs are permitted.

Is Christkindlmarkt cash only?

Nope, it’s the opposite: Christkindlmarkt is cashless. Admission, food, drinks, and ArtsQuest merchandise take credit and debit cards and mobile pay. Some individual artisans may also accept cash.

How long should I spend at Christkindlmarkt?

Plan on at least two to three hours to shop, eat, and see Winter Wonderland. Add SteelStacks, downtown Bethlehem, and the Hotel Bethlehem for a full, very festive day.

Is it Christkindlmarkt or Christkindlmarket?

Both spellings refer to German-style Christmas markets. Bethlehem’s is officially Christkindlmarkt, while Chicago’s well-known market spells it Christkindlmarket.

What else is there to do in Bethlehem at Christmas?

Visit the free Christmas City Village on Main Street, see the Trees of Historic Bethlehem, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, tour the Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s decorations, catch the Live Advent Calendar at 5:30 pm nightly from December 1 to 23, and look for the Star of Bethlehem on South Mountain.

If you’ve been having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit, the best cure I know is a day at Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA. The music, handmade goods, twinkling lights and delicious food are sure to pull you right in! Have you been to Christkindlmarkt? Tell me your favorite vendor or snack in the comments!

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