Christmas markets
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 2026
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, calls itself the Christmas City, and its Christkindlmarkt has been held since 1993. In 2026 it runs on weekends from November 13 to December 20 at SteelStacks. Here are the dates, tickets and parking, and the Moravian putz across the river, the nativity tradition that makes this town different.
Dates and prices checked on the official site on October 4, 2026. Opening hours for 2026 weren’t on the ticket page yet, so check them before you go.
2026 at a glance
| What | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Weekends only: November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, and December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20 Confirmed |
| Tickets | $14 on Thursdays and Fridays, $16.50 on Saturdays and Sundays, fees included. Free for ages 5 and under, and free for everyone on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. |
| Where | PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
| Paying | Cards and phone payments only. Cash can be loaded onto a reloadable card at the market. |
| Nativity | Moravian putz in town See below |
The market
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem has been held since 1993, which makes it one of the oldest German-style Christmas markets in the country. It’s run by ArtsQuest, a nonprofit arts organization, at SteelStacks, the old Bethlehem Steel site on the south side of town, with dozens of artisan vendors, food and music.
- Dates
- Weekends from November 13 to December 20, 2026: November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, then December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20, when Thursdays are added.
- Tickets
- $14 on Thursdays and Fridays and $16.50 on Saturdays and Sundays, with fees (and the city tax on weekends) included. Children 5 and under get in free. On Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., entry is free for everyone. ArtsQuest members at the Silver level and above get in free all season.
- Paying
- The market is cashless: debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or an ArtsQuest CashCard, which you can load with cash on site.
- Parking
- Free public parking is next to the market; follow the signs and the staff. The Bethlehem Parking Authority also runs three garages nearby with all-day rates during the market: Polk Street (the closest), Riverport and South New Street.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchairs can be borrowed for free. Accessible parking is limited, and there’s a drop-off point on First Street near the Willkommen Haus.
- Official site
- artsquest.org/christkindlmarkt
The Moravian putz
This is the reason to come to Bethlehem rather than to any other market. The town was founded in 1741 by Moravians from Central Europe, and it got its name on Christmas Eve that year. The Moravians brought a German custom with them: the putz (from putzen, “to decorate”), a nativity scene set up under the Christmas tree, with old figures in moss, stones and driftwood.
- Central Moravian Church Community Putz Usual40 W. Church St., Bethlehem
- A putz with scenes that light up one after another, with narration and music, built for the whole community since 1937. It usually opens on Black Friday, which is November 27 in 2026, and runs through December 31. Call ahead to confirm before you go.
- Christmas City Stroll ConfirmedStarts at 501 Main St., Bethlehem
- A guided walk through the town’s Moravian Christmas traditions, including the community putz. November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, at 1, 3 and 6 p.m. (the last one by lantern light). $20 for adults, $12 for children.
The historic district is across the Lehigh River from SteelStacks, so plan a short drive or a long walk between the two. More on the putz and the town: Bethlehem, on our US nativity guide, and the nativity events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem in 2026?
On weekends from November 13 to December 20, 2026: November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, and December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20.
How much are tickets?
$14 on Thursdays and Fridays and $16.50 on Saturdays and Sundays, fees included. Children 5 and under are free, and entry is free for everyone on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where is the Moravian putz?
At Central Moravian Church, 40 W. Church St., in the historic district across the river from the market. It usually opens on Black Friday (November 27 in 2026) and runs through December 31.
Is there parking?
Yes. Free public parking is next to the market, and three city garages nearby (Polk Street, Riverport and South New Street) offer all-day rates.