Enjoy a European Style Christmas Market in Bethleheim, PA

Now, you can visit the famous open-air Christmas Markets right here in the United States. Bethleheim, PA holds these markets several weekends during late November and December. You'll enjoy about 75 artisans who have created wonderful handcrafted gift items for you to purchase. Bethleheim is about 60 or 70 miles from both New York City and Philadelphia.

Located in Bethlehem's charming downtown historic district, it's the perfect place to experience the magical wonder of the holiday season and the Christmas City! Modeled after the open-air markets of Germany during the Christmas Season, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is a heart-warming holiday event for the whole family. You'll enjoy seeing artists displaying their work, terrific food, live holiday music, children's activities and St. Nicholas too.

This year's festivals will be held Thursday - Sundays, Nov. 24- 26; Nov. 30 - Dec. 3; Dec. 7 - 10; Dec. 14-17. Hours Thursday through Saturday are 10am - 8pm and Sunday hours are 10am - 6pm

Admission is $6.00 or you can purchase a season pass for $10.00. Children 12 and under are free. Parking is limited so it's suggested you either take a cab or park at the Bethlehem's North Street Parking Garage (Thursday and through Friday after 5 p.m.). From there, you can hop on the Christmas Trolley to Christkindlmarkt, or take a leisurely walk to the family holiday market, stopping at all the downtown Bethlehem shops along the way.

Various features at the Christkindlmarkt include Ice Sculpting, Kindermarkt, Kathe Wohlfarht, Old St. Nicholas, Byer's Choice Collectibles, the Emerald Star - a Celtic Christmas tradition, the Christmas City Trolley and the Banana Factory Artists. Proceeds from Christkindlmarkt support the Banana Factory and its art programs for at risk youth. The City Trolley takes you around the city of Bethleheim and its highlights. The Emerald Star performances are held in Allentown. All of the other attractions are located at the Christmas market.

Christkindlmarkt also features a large array of refreshments perfect for taking the chill out of a cold winter's day. You'll be able to enjoy a hearty bowl of soup or a sip a mug of hot cocoa with a warm apple dumpling. The event specializes in German and Austrian cuisine including strudel, bratwurst and roasted German almonds. There are also all the favorite foods kids enjoy - BBQ sandwiches, pizza and similar snacks.

Dozens of volunteers are need every year to make the Christmas market at success. They need people to help the craftspeople unload and locate their booths, to greet customers, to assist customers in shopping, helping handle the craft booths while the artists take a break and similar duties. Please contact them at their website if you live nearby and would like to participate - christkindlmarkt.org/06volunteer.asp.

The staff is also still accepting applications for crafters and artists. There will be another jurying session in mid-October. Again, check out their website at christkindlmarkt.org/06/craftspeople-exhibiting.asp for more information.

Check out christkindlmarkt.org for more details about this year's festivals.

The newly renovated Historic Hotel Bethlehem is located in downtown Bethlehem in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. Here you'll experience world-class service, charming guest accommodations, an elegant lobby, five-star cuisine with beautiful banquet and meeting facilities. They offer complimentary parking, a free shuttle to the nearby Lehigh Airport, a fitness center, a business center, wireless internet access in the common areas and a complimentary copy of USA Today every morning. Their rooms feature voice mail, cable TV and free wired high-speed internet access. (Visit them at hotelbethleheim.com for details.)

Situated in the center of the historic district of the Fountain Hill Historic District of Bethleheim, the Sayre Mansion Inn is a charming B & B you will love staying at. Once the home of an entrepreneur, Robert Sayre, it offers the all the grace and elegance of yesteryear. This Gothic Revival-style mansion built in the 1850's sits on two acres of picturesque grounds adorned with century old trees Each of its 18 rooms and suites features a private bathroom, air conditioning, cable TV, telephones and wireless internet access. A full breakfast is served to all guests. (See their website at sayremansion.com for more information.)

There are also several other hotels, motels and B & B's. There is a Days Inn, a Best Western motel, a Crowne Plaza hotel and many other national chain and independent properties.