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Morning Call: Destination Christkindlmarkt: German-style market in Bethlehem is a unique shopping experience
December 5th, 2018 | In The News
Written by Linda Doell for The Morning Call
This is one kindl that won’t connect you with Alexa.
But instead of using Amazon’s popular digital assistant or another device to shop online, there’s Christkindlmarkt — a hands-on experience for holiday shopping that stimulates the senses as you take in the sights, sounds, smells and textures.
Christkindlmarkt is ArtsQuest’s German-style market set up in four giant heated tents at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Opening Friday for the 26th year, it promises to be the biggest version yet, with more than 200 artisans and merchants from almost 20 states participating over six weekends.
“You literally walk in the tents and see aisle after aisle of handmade goods,” says Mark Demko, senior director of communications at ArtsQuest. “It is a unique shopping experience.”
People often use Christkindlmarkt to kick off their holiday season, shopping and then touring Historic Bethlehem’s holiday exhibits and programs. New combination tickets are available that include the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibit and four museums — Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, Moravian Museum, 1810 Goundie House and Single Sisters House.
Attendance at last year’s Christkindlmarkt was a record 89,000 and Demko says he expects attendance this year to top that.
As the audience grows, so do the attractions. Christkindlmarkt includes food, entertainment and experiences. New are wine and liquor tastings, more food options and even a choice of ornament to create in the Hot Glass Experience.
Ticket prices have gone up — $1 per day (to $10) and $2 for a season pass (to $20). Kids 5 and under are always free and ages 6-12 can get in free opening weekend thanks to presenting sponsor Univest Bank and Trust Co. Parking is free and a free trolley runs between Christkindlmarkt and the shopping and museum district in north Bethlehem.
“People really make it a destination,” he says. “It’s one of the busiest times of the year for tourism in Bethlehem.”
Artisans will man booths with goods ranging from essential oils to pet clothing to candy, loom art to home decor, salsa, photography and more.
Market favorites will be back such as Germany’s Kathe Wohlfahrt with her wooden holiday ornaments, nutcrackers, hand-painted products and cuckoo clocks. Another Christkindlmarkt mainstay is Country Hearts by Jo. Joe Wasley of Schnecksville has been bringing her hand-painted tinware to Christkindlmarkt since it started in 1993.
There will be 48 new participants, including Aluma Flowers of Upper Macungie Township. Scott Hartrick creates handmade aluminum flower sculptures, including roses, orchids and magnolia blossoms. The sculptures are UV-light stable with powder coated paint. Hartrick was one of the new artists at Musikfest in August, but not many got to see his work because rains flooded his booth.
“I will have a new open-style peony and carnations,” he says. “I’m wrapping up the designs on them as we speak.”
Also new is 9’s Polish Designs from Long Eddy, N.Y., which makes tree branch and bluestone tables and other decor. For those looking for a more heavenly-themed gift, Earth Wish Angels of Quakertown will bring its angel decor and ornaments.
Stroopies Inc. will bring its Dutch cinnamon cookies with caramel centers and HillyBilly’s Jerky of Fort Loudon will offer a range of smoky, sweet and spicy dried meat.
Food vendors offering German, American and international food will be ready to satisfy hungry shoppers. Musikfest favorite Van Pelt Hot Dog Co. will serve up its gourmet dogs. Among those returning are Heidi’s Strudel and Nico’s Pizza.
Enjoy musical performances while you eat. Acts range from school choirs to a brass band to The Swing Time Dolls, performing their “Dolled Up Christmas” show in vintage holiday-inspired costumes Nov. 20 and Dec. 14.
You can also watch sculptors from Sculpted Ice Works use chainsaws, picks and blow torches to create works of art in the Christkindlmarkt courtyard.
For those who enjoy alcohol to help fuel their holiday spirit new will be spirits and wine tastings each Saturday starting Nov. 24. There will be tastings at 4 and 6 p.m. At each event, either a winery, meadery or distillery which will give a presentation on the drinks and two samples. Participants include Franklin Hill Vineyards, Social Still, Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, Vynecrest and Colony Meadery. Cost is $25, which includes market admission.
The Hot Glass Experience is back with a twist — you can make either a candy cane or holiday ornament under the guidance of a Banana Factory artist. This experience is for ages 6 and older and takes about 20 minutes. Cost is $55 and includes market admission.
“It makes a great gift,” Demko says. “People will come here and make the ornament and they can pick it up the next day or we will ship it to them as part of the package … It’s not something you’ll find at other holiday events.”
Kids can also get their lists to Santa and have a hot breakfast with the jolly old elf on three Saturdays — Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Each child will get a photo with Santa. Tickets are $18.95, ages 10 and older; $15.95, ages 3-9; $9.95, ages 2 and under.
Also returning is the United Postal Service’s Big Blue Box, where shoppers can mail their finds home or to loved ones directly from Christkindlmarkt.
A longtime favorite of bus tours, Christkindlmarkt also has a discounted advance ticket for groups of 16 or more that provides priority access to avoid the admission line. Groups of 30 or more also can get a shopping and lunch package, which includes a hot lunch in a reserved area at the Tannenbaum Cafe.
