Christkindlmarkt 2022 preview

Shopping, ice skating and St. Nick! What you need to know about Bethlehem’s holiday celebration

Ready or not, Christmas is just around the corner. To help with your holiday wish lists, ArtsQuest’s jolly team of “elves” have been busy transforming the SteelStacks campus into a holiday wonderland complete with shopping, Santa, and skating — a new outdoor ice rink is among the attractions added this year.

Christkindlmarkt, a Germanstyle holiday market, opens Nov. 18 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem and will be open for five weekends. It’s ArtsQuest’s 30th annual event featuring vendors offering thousands of unique, handmade gifts, decoations, and seasonal favorite food and drinks.

“Christmastime in the Christmas City is a magical time of year and we’re delighted to be part of Bethlehem’s rich holiday heritage,” said Kassie Hilgert, ArtsQuest president.

“Through the decades, various vendors, artists, crafters, and retailers have become a part of our extended family, offering one-of-a-kind items and a unique festive shopping experience,” Hilgert added. “We’ve been fortunate to have such great community support and excitement surrounding the merriment of Christkindlmarkt and look forward to offering an enhanced experience with the Ice Rink at SteelStacks this holiday season.”

Here’s what you need to know about Christkindlmarkt 2022.

When is it open?

Dates: Nov. 18 — 20 and 25-27; Dec. 1-4, 8-11, and 15-18

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursdays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

How much?

$10 Thursdays and Fridays $12 Saturday and Sundays Free for children five and under

Free for ArtsQuest members (silver or above).

Discounts also available for groups of 20 or more.

The cost of admission supports ArtsQuest’s nonprofit programming.

Where to park

Free public parking is available adjacent to Christkindlmarkt at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St. Limited parking for those with disabilities is also available. All parking on campus is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Public parking is also available on the south side at Riverport Parking Garage, 17 West 2nd St.; and South New Street Parking Garage, 3rd and New streets.

Outdoor ice skating rink at SteelStacks

The main attraction this year is the debut of The Ice Rink at SteelStacks. It’s an outdoor ice rink constructed on the Levitt Pavilion lawn located at the feet of the blast furnaces. The rink will be open Nov. 22 through Jan. 1.

Skating prices: $7 for ages 13 and under; $9 ages 14 and older; $6 for ArtsQuest Members; group rates also available

Ice skate rentals are also available.

Tickets for Christkindlmarkt and Ice Rink may be purchased at Christmascity.org.

APRIL GAMIZ/THE MORNING CALL Nick Sitz, left, takes a photo of Tania Dekoning holding their baby Skyla, all of Virginia Beach, at last year’s Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. The holiday market features more than 150 vendors, plus music, ice carving and glass-blowing demonstrations. It is open Friday-Sunday the first two weekends of its run, which began this weekend. Starting Dec. 2, it will also be open Thursdays through Dec. 19.