Pennsylvania Christmas Market is Like Going to Europe
Christmas will be here before we know it, which is so wild to me. This year really went by so fast. If you’re excited to get into the holiday spirit, note that one Pennsylvania Christmas market has been named not only one of the best in the country but also a great alternative to going to a European Christmas market. Europe is known for its fantastic Christmas markets, but you apparently don’t have to get a passport and go all the way to Europe to enjoy the special Christmas market feeling.
Pennsylvania Christmas Market is Lovely
If you’re wondering what exactly makes a Christmas market, it’s a street market that usually pops up during the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. That’s the technical definition, but a Christmas market can be up as early as November if you want to have a mores loosely-defined Christmas market. It’s a local street market that exists to sell Christmas items, food and more. According to the Smithsonian, “The Christmas market’s roots stretch back to Vienna in 1296, when Duke Albrecht I authorized 14-day fairs in the month of December.” They add that “Christmas markets may have mainly German origins, but they eventually spread to German-speaking parts of Italy, Switzerland and France” and that “this trend fits with the general provenance of Christmas practices,” which is “the tradition of putting up a tree to celebrate the holiday reportedly started in Germany in the 16th century.” They also note that scholars are hesitant to say when the first Christmas market started.
As Christmas Market USA notes, “Christmas markets are not just a retail event but a vibrant tapestry of cultural significance that fosters community spirit and celebrates heritage.” They add that, “These markets bring together people from all walks of life, creating a sense of community and social cohesion.”
So, which Pennsylvania Christmas market is considered one of the best in the country and world? According to the experts at Time Out, it’s Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem. “As you might expect in a town called Bethlehem, this Pennsylvania town is a big Christmas destination just like its Biblical namesake (it even calls itself The Christmas City),” Time Out notes. “The annual Christkindlmarkt covers 10 acres (about the size of 7.5 football fields) with shopping, food, and live music.” It doesn’t get much more Christmas than that. It’s located at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 East First Street. Contact me with your favorite Christmas market.
