As the final leaves drop and the snow starts to fall, travelers across the U.S. start daydreaming of Christmas. Those daydreams often look like picturesque European Christmas markets, with streets lined with homemade goods. While famous Christmas market destinations like Nuremberg or Strasbourg draw massive international crowds, reaching them requires a long and often expensive transatlantic flight.
Thankfully, the “Christmas City” of America is much more accessible and has a Christmas vibe that rivals the world’s most iconic winter towns. Tucked into Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, just 90 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia, sits Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a destination where holiday magic is woven directly into its history.
Here is everything to know about “Christmas City, USA,” and why it is quickly becoming the ultimate seasonal getaway for Christmas-market lovers.
Why Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Is Officially “Christmas City, USA”
Given the city’s name, it’s perhaps no surprise that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has a long history with Christmas cheer. On Christmas Eve in 1741, the town’s Moravian founders gathered in a small log building and officially named their new settlement after the biblical birthplace of Jesus.
Today, that rich heritage is written into every cobblestone street. Glowing 26-point Moravian Stars hang from historic shop porches, preserved brick structures frame Main Street, and high atop South Mountain, the massive illuminated Star of Bethlehem shines down over the city every single night of the year. Much like how travelers head to Hershey for a festive winter escape, Bethlehem offers a deep dive into classic European-style holiday magic.
While summer draws history lovers to its historic industrial ruins and UNESCO World Heritage sites, winter brings a bustling festive atmosphere that makes Bethlehem one of the most charming small towns in Pennsylvania to visit before the year ends.
What truly elevates Bethlehem into a world-class holiday destination is its pair of distinct, highly immersive Christmas markets that cater to every type of holiday shopper and feel like they were brought over straight from Europe.
Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks
Consistently recognized as one of thebest holiday markets in the United States,Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks, using the traditional German word for “Christmas Market”, takes place at the base of Bethlehem’s iconic industrial blast furnaces. The striking contrast between illuminated historic steel structures and festive holiday tents creates one of the most unique backdrops in the country.
Christkindlmarkt Event Details
- Location: PNC Plaza at SteelStacks (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA)
- 2026 Dates: Mid-November through December 20 (Thursdays through Sundays)
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Hours:
- Thursdays & Sundays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Fridays & Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
As one of the largest and most visited Christmas markets in the country, Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt perfectly showcases the German-style Christmas celebrations. 2026 is expected to feature dozens (and dozens) of vendors, along with numerous special events.
Book Timed-Entry Tickets Early: Tickets for Christkindlmarkt, carriage rides, and guided night tours sell out quickly on peak December weekends. Secure your tickets online weeks before arriving via the official Discover Lehigh Valley tourism guide.
What makes the Christkindlmarkt so unique is that its vendors aren’t what you can see at every farmer’s market. Traditional vendors like Käthe Wohlfahrt Shop, a Germany-based ornament and holiday shop, have been a staple at the event for years. Likewise, Artquest, which hosts the market, holds a Hot Glass Experience and live glassblowing demonstrations at the on-site Glas Haus. Paired with live ice sculpting and an outdoor ice skating rink, every visitor will be sure to leave with plenty of Christmas spirit.
Christmas City Village on Main Street
For an authentic open-air street market feeling, head straight to historic downtown Bethlehem. Wooden vendor huts inspired by traditional German Weihnachtsmärkte line Main and Broad Streets as part of the Christmas City Village.
Stroll the lit sidewalks to sample local artisan cheeses, handcrafted soaps, regional wines, and specialty stocking stuffers while exploring downtown’s brick-and-mortar boutiques.
What To Look For At Bethlehem’s Holiday Markets
Shopping at Bethlehem’s Christmas markets is an event in itself, with vendors traveling from across North America and Europe to participate. To find the most unique items, keep an eye out for these specialty items:
- Authentic Moravian Stars: Available in glass, paper, and plastic, these traditional 26-point stars are Bethlehem’s signature holiday keepsake. Look for authentic locally made versions at the downtown market stalls or inside the Moravian Book Shop.
- Handmade German Woodenware: Inside the Käthe Wohlfahrt tent at SteelStacks, collectors can find authentic German *Räuchermänner* (incense smokers), delicate wooden pyramid arches, and hand-painted nutcrackers directly imported from Germany’s Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge).
- Artisan Glass & Pottery: Local Pennsylvania artisans showcase live glassblowing on-site, offering hand-blown Christmas tree ornaments, stoneware crocks, and custom holiday decor crafted right in the Lehigh Valley.
Must-Try Traditions & Scenic Winter Experiences In Bethlehem
Beyond the market stalls, Bethlehem offers a full slate of seasonal activities that make it feel like stepping into a living snow globe.
The Only “Live Advent Calendar” In The Nation
Every evening from December 1 through December 23 at 5:30 p.m., crowds gather in the historic Sun Inn Courtyard along Main Street for a tradition found nowhere else in the country. Hosted by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, a selected audience member knocks on the heavy wooden door, and a local business representative steps out in costume to deliver a secret performance, story, or special holiday treat to the crowd. The living advent calendar is a fun twist on a favorite Christmas tradition, and just one more way Bethlehem lives up to its holiday name.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides & Heritage Tours
Bundle up under cozy blankets for a private horse-drawn carriage ride through the lit streets of the historic Moravian District. For history lovers, costumed guides leading historic walking tours share stories of early colonial traditions while taking visitors up to the foot of the hilltop Star of Bethlehem.
Ice Skating at SteelStacks & Historic Bookshops
Lace up your skates at the outdoor ice rink at SteelStacks, situated directly beside Christkindlmarkt’s market tents. Afterward, walk through the Moravian Book Shop, founded in 1745 and recognized as the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world, to pick up an authentic paper or glass Moravian Star for your home.
How To Spend The Ultimate Holiday Day Trip In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
To make the most of a winter visit to America’s Christmas City, structure your day to experience both historic downtown and the industrial magic of SteelStacks as the sun goes down:
- Morning (Historic Main Street): Arrive early to park in the North Street Garage before crowds peak. Spend your morning wandering the open-air wooden huts of Christmas City Village, shopping for handcrafted Moravian stars at the historic Moravian Book Shop, and admiring the 18th-century stone architecture along Church Street.
- Afternoon (Heritage & History): Take a guided colonial walking tour or explore the historic Sun Inn. If visiting in December, line up in the Sun Inn Courtyard around 5:15 p.m. to catch the iconic Live Advent Calendar opening at 5:30 p.m. sharp.
- Evening (SteelStacks & Ice Skating): Drive or rideshare across the Lehigh River to the South Side. Spend your evening browsing the heated artisan tents at Christkindlmarkt, watching live outdoor glassblowing demonstrations, and ice skating under the illuminated 20-story steel blast furnaces.
You don’t need a passport or a long-haul flight to experience the magic of an authentic European holiday fair. With its rich Moravian history, glowing streetscapes, and premier artisan markets, Bethlehem comfortably earns its spot among the most enchanting winter destinations on the East Coast.
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