Craft Shows & Fairs in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem has reinvented itself around the SteelStacks arts campus — the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces transformed into an outdoor concert venue and ArtsQuest Center. The result is a city that anchors some of the Lehigh Valley's strongest craft events, including what is regularly described as one of the top Christmas markets in the United States.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

The defining event — and one of the premier handmade craft markets in the mid-Atlantic region.

Event: 34th annual Christkindlmarkt (2026)
Location: ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 711 E. 1st Street, Bethlehem PA 18015
Artisans: 150+ of the nation's finest artisans; handmade work standards
German collectibles: Käthe Wohlfahrt — handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, and collectibles from Germany

2026 Dates (six weekends):

November 13–15
November 20–22
November 27–29
December 3–6
December 10–13
December 17–20

Featured experiences:

Glassblowing demonstrations
Hot Glass Experience: Glass Ornament sessions (participatory)
Crayola Craft Area for children
Outdoor igloo rentals with food and beverage packages
Ice carving demonstrations

Other Craft Events in Bethlehem

ArtsQuest — year-round arts programming at SteelStacks campus:

Monthly maker markets
Gallery exhibitions
Craft-related events outside of Christkindlmarkt season

Musikfest (August)

Primarily a music festival; major regional event
Artisan vendor component across Northside and Southside corridors

Southside Arts District

Galleries and studios in Bethlehem's south side
Pop-up markets and art events; active creative community

Moravian Heritage and Craft Tradition

Bethlehem's craft identity is rooted in its Moravian heritage:

Moravian star — made in paper or tin; iconic decorative object
Beeswax candles — traditional Moravian craft
Woodcarving — historical Moravian settlement tradition

This cultural foundation is part of why Christkindlmarkt feels authentic rather than generic — the craft traditions it celebrates have genuine local roots.

County Fairs Near Bethlehem

Northampton County Fair — Bethlehem's home county; annual agricultural fair; summer
Lehigh County Fair — Allentown (~8 miles west); adjacent county; July–August

Both include home arts competition (quilts, needlework, baked goods) alongside livestock and carnival programming.

Best Times to Visit Bethlehem for Craft Events

November–December — Christkindlmarkt is the primary reason craft shoppers visit Bethlehem. Six weekends of handmade shopping starting November 13. Regional visitors from Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey make the trip specifically for the market. August — Musikfest; artisan vendors among the festival footprint Year-round — ArtsQuest programming at SteelStacks; Southside arts district events

Nearby Cities for Craft Shows

Allentown, PA — ~8 miles west; Great Allentown Fair (Labor Day), Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival (September)
Kutztown, PA — ~25 miles southwest; Kutztown Folk Festival (July 4–12, 200+ juried folk artists, 2,500+ quilts)
Easton, PA — ~20 miles east; Karl Stirner Arts Trail; community arts events
Reading, PA — ~40 miles southwest; Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen; Berks County Fair (July)
Philadelphia, PA — ~55 miles southeast; PMA Craft Show (November 6–8), Rittenhouse Square show (May)

Explore all Pennsylvania craft shows →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft shows in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Christkindlmarkt at the ArtsQuest Center, SteelStacks (711 E. 1st Street) is the top event — six weekends from November 13 through December 20, 2026, with 150+ national artisans. ArtsQuest also runs maker markets and craft-adjacent programming at SteelStacks throughout the year.

When do craft shows happen in Bethlehem?

The major craft shopping season is November–December (Christkindlmarkt, six weekends). Musikfest (August) includes artisan vendors. ArtsQuest programming runs year-round on the SteelStacks campus.

Are there country fairs near Bethlehem?

Northampton County Fair serves Bethlehem's county. Lehigh County Fair (Allentown, ~8 miles west) is the adjacent county option. Both run in summer.

Is there a handmade market scene in Bethlehem?

Christkindlmarkt is one of the premier handmade craft markets in the mid-Atlantic — 150+ national artisans, genuine handmade standards, and a Moravian/German cultural framework. Outside of November–December, ArtsQuest supports the Southside arts community and runs year-round programming.

Find Events in Bethlehem

Search CraftShow Events to find craft shows, handmade markets, and artisan fairs in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.