Christmas in Bethlehem
When the holidays arrive, this Lehigh Valley town’s Christkindlmarkt is the place to celebrate with European vibes and local foods
IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO EUROPE around the holidays, you may have encountered something called the Christmas markets. You’ll find such festive fetes not only in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, but also in France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. They’re full of magic: beautiful lights, handmade gifts, ice rinks, carousels, music, entertainment, and—of course—holiday food and drink. Because it wouldn’t be a festival without those two key components, right?
You don’t have to fly to Germany, however, to experience something similar. For the past 30 years, in Bethlehem, PA, the tradition lives on through an event known as Christkindlmarkt, the German term for Christmas market. It’s been named one of the best holiday markets in the country by Travel + Leisure magazine and honored as one of the top Christmas festivals in the world by USA Today Travel—that’s no small feat considering there are dozens and dozens of these historic, treasured events. And it’s all within our proverbial backyard.
This month-long festival honors the German culture and Moravian heritage by holding a multi-day experience of holiday markets. Imagine 50+ artisans and craftspeople offering rows and rows of handmade crafts and wares, and all the holiday decor and lights you can handle. (Saint Nicholas definitely makes an anticipated appearance.) Wandering around the stalls is a surefire way to amp up your own holiday spirit and get some shopping done. A stop at the German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt is a favorite, with its nutcrackers and handmade ornaments. You’ll also encounter all kinds of attractions, such as ice sculptures, glass blowing, live music, and ice skating, too!
After spending many years on Main Street in Bethlehem, in the past few years this sprawling fest has been held in the SteelStacks area in SouthSide Bethlehem, which features the distinct backdrop of the former blast furnaces of the old Bethlehem Steel. (They’re also, incidentally, thematically lit up with various colors depending on the time of year, a la the Empire State Building in New York: red and green during the holiday season.)
At press time, most of the food vendors from last year’s event were confirmed guests for 2022. Regardless of who shows up, you won’t go hungry, and seasonal regional faves will be available— think traditional foods such as bratwurst, kielbasa, sauerbraten, chicken paprikash, and more. There’s plenty to choose from, and even if you opt for eats that don’t directly evoke middle Europe’s holiday traditions, it’s hard to go wrong. (And if you want to leave the festival grounds and eat something more substantial off-site, there’s plenty of options, too. Look for Molinari’s, Mister Lee’s, Zest, and more, within easy walking distance.)
FOOD
From its food artisans to its restaurants, the Lehigh Valley is one of Pennsylvania’s most delicious food regions. Enjoy a taste at Christkindlmarkt, and come back throughout the year for more.
HEIDI’S STRUDEL: They’ll melt in your mouth, these sweet flaky bits of heaven. Locals know this vendor; it’s a regular at many festivals in Bethlehem (including Musikfest); look for hand-rolled pretzels, too. Save some room for the strudel, or take some home in every fruit flavor for later. Another fan favorite: Heidi’s delicious roasted nuts—cashews, almonds, and pecans. It’s hard to miss the irresistible aroma.
THE FLYING V: Husband-and-wife team Matt and Christie Vymazal run this excellent operation, which started as a food truck and grew into a brick-and-mortar biz during Covid. She’s Canadian, he’s not, and together the Flying V puts together the best and most inventive poutine you’ve ever had outside of Montreal, including a vegetarian version with a fried egg. Between the homemade gravy, fresh cheese curds, and hand-cut fries, with poutine you might just be starting a new tradition for yourself by eating this hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food. Canada gets cold, right?
PAT’S BISTRO AND PIZZA: This isn’t your average mom-and- pop pizza. Pat’s prioritizes quality, and all the dough is made from scratch using a slow, cold-fermented method over the course of a couple of days. At Christkindlmarkt, the pizzas are made right on site in Pat’s portable pizza oven—no heat-and-reheat situation going on here. Pizza always hits the spot, but if that’s not your thing, a hearty bowl of pasta works, too. Pat’s always tailors its menus to local festivals (they’ve got a brick-and-mortar location in Bethlehem), so they’re a little extra special during the holidays.
DRINK
In recent years, the wine and spirits scene has grown across Philadelphia and the surrounding region, thanks in part to excellent purveyors and, since 2012, the availability of limited distillery licenses.
SOCIAL STILL. Its mothership is located within blocks of the event, and this 8-year-old distillery offers much to sip made from non-GMO, organic Pennsylvania-grown grains. Gin and vodka are staples, sure, but bourbon whiskey, tequila, rum, and rye whiskey are also produced. Keep an eye out for potential seasonal offerings, too.
FRANKLIN HILL VINEYARD. This vineyard began back in 1981 and is noteworthy for many reasons, including the fact that it’s run by a woman, Elaine Pivinski (her son Adam Flatt runs Social Still) and it’s the oldest winery in Pennsylvania. The wines are easy-drinking and festive, often named after family members, and have won numerous awards.
EIGHT OAKS FARM DISTILLERY. This veteran-owned award-winning distillery grows its own grains on its farmland on the western edge of the Lehigh Valley, in New Tripoli, and brings them to Christkindlmarkt for your enjoyment. Don’t miss the applejack, distilled with local apples, or any of its special-aged spirits.
STAY
There are plenty of places to stay within the city of Bethlehem, and one standout is the Historic Hotel Bethlehem (37 Main St, Bethlehem; 833.247.5891). Repeatedly landing on the country’s top historic hotel lists, the Hotel Bethlehem is an elegant but affordable spot right in downtown Bethlehem. It also happens to be home to a killer weekend brunch that draws raves, so the good eats need not stop. The Sayre Mansion (250 Wyandotte St, Bethlehem; 610.882.2100) is similarly historic, but more of a bed and breakfast, with several dozen graciously appointed rooms available. The closest accommodations, though, are at the adjacent Wind Creek Bethlehem casino and resort.
CHRISTKINDLMARKT 2022
Friday—Sundays starting November 18—20; 25—27; December 1—4; 8—11, 15—18.
Parking available onsite, and admission is TBD.
For more information: Christmastcity.org; artsquest.org, discoverlehighvalley.com
