ArtsQuest Announces 33rd Annual Christkindlmarkt with Exciting Holiday Expansion: Winter Wonderland
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. September 18, 2025 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the 33rd annual Christkindlmarkt, presented by Univest Financial, the region’s premier holiday marketplace, along with the launch of its all-new Winter Wonderland, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health and Visits with St. Nick, presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. For more information and to purchase tickets for Christkindlmarkt, visit Christmascity.org.
Following years of record-breaking attendance, this beloved holiday tradition will grow in both footprint and offerings, beginning this season with the return of a sixth weekend and Free Friday evening admittance.
“Christkindlmarkt has become a cherished part of the Lehigh Valley’s holiday traditions, and with attendance reaching new heights year after year, it’s clear our community is ready for more,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “The new expansion, Winter Wonderland, allows us to enhance the guest experience while preserving the festive charm that makes Christkindlmarkt so special.”
Record-Breaking Growth Sparks Expansion
Christkindlmarkt has seen continuous year-over-year growth, with especially high attendance during peak times such as Saturdays and Free Friday evenings, which will return for 2025. Crowds have frequently filled the festival grounds shoulder-to-shoulder, underscoring the need for more space, more vendors and more experiences.
Winter Wonderland, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health, transforms the area previously home to the ice-skating rink into an expanded holiday village. This new footprint allows Christkindlmarkt to expand while adding fresh experiences for guests, including:
- Immersive Décor & Photo Ops – A bigger, brighter Christkindlmarkt with expanded holiday photo opportunities and enhanced festive lighting.
- Improved Guest Flow – A new second entrance/exit within the expanded footprint to reduce congestion and wait times during peak hours along with convenience to multiple visitor parking lots.
- New Family & Entertainment Zones – More family-friendly areas and interactive experiences, including:
- A new home for St. Nick, presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, designed with Bavarian-inspired décor and a whimsical twist with enhanced seating and photo opportunities with St. Nick.
- A family craft area, sponsored by Crayola, giving children the opportunity to create their own holiday keepsakes. Fun for the whole family.
- A new glassblowing experience and demonstration area, offering guests the chance to experience this cherished Christkindlmarkt tradition in an expanded setting.
- Outdoor igloo rental packages to include food and beverage options, perfect for family and friend gatherings.
- Expanded Vendor Booths and Huts – A bigger footprint means more artisans and vendors to shop for those one-of-a-kind, unique gifts.
- Several new huts will provide additional festive drink and dessert options.
- More Entertainment, More Holiday Spirit
- A new permanent stage will host upwards of 75 live holiday performances from local and regional musicians.
- Popular experiences such as St. Nick breakfasts will return, along with additional character breakfast and even adult-themed holiday breakfasts.
- New Large Hospitality Tent – A spacious, decorated hospitality area, capable of seating up to 155 guests, will be added to the expansion. This heated venue will serve as:
- A private rental space for private holiday gatherings, corporate events, bus groups and more.
- Additional seating and dining space for the public during open hours.
- Whether you’re hosting a large celebration or an intimate holiday gathering, the ArtsQuest Hospitality team is here to help! Reach out to hospitality@artsquest.org.
- New Events!
- Cookie Decorating and Martini Nights – It’s a night out with friends, decorating holiday cookies and enjoying a festive drink. (21+)
- Speed Dating – Enjoy light bites and merry drinks while making new connections. You may even enjoy strolling through Christkindlmart with your new friend.
- Art Making – DIY and painting ornaments, make your own wooden advent calendars and more, plus a pop-up Artist Market.
The Traditions of the Season
Christkindlmarkt 2025 will bring together an incredible lineup of holiday shopping offering unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts that you won’t find anywhere else with over 170 artisans and crafters from 14 states and the country of Scotland. Over a dozen food vendors will be serving seasonal favorites and a wide variety of food options.
Back by popular demand, Old Fashioned Christmas tastings and an expanded Sip-n-Shop will again be part of the festivities. More details on both will be coming soon.
Christkindlmarkt Dates and Hours of Operation:
- FREE Friday admission from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, November 14 – Sunday, Nov 16
- Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23
- Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30
- Thursday, December 4 – Sunday, December 7
- Thursday, December 11 – Sunday, December 14
- Thursday, December 18 – Sunday, December 21
With these exciting changes, Christkindlmarkt 2025 promises to be the most immersive and memorable holiday market yet, fitting for a city proudly known as the Christmas City.
Stay tuned for all the additional details coming soon. We can’t wait to celebrate the magic of the holidays with you at Christkindlmarkt!
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
