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.
Upcoming events in Bethlehem, PA
Live listings with their sources. Always confirm details with the organizer.
Also within 50 miles of Bethlehem, PA
Renninger's Adamstown Special Sunday
Denver, PA
About 47 mi from Bethlehem · Denver, PA
Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen 76th Annual Juried Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival
Hamburg, PA
About 33 mi from Bethlehem · Hamburg, PA
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Fall Fine Craft Fair
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Oaks, PA
About 34 mi from Bethlehem · Oaks, PA
Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show
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Philadelphia, PA
About 48 mi from Bethlehem · Philadelphia, PA
Sauce for the Goose: Outdoor Art Market
Princeton, NJ
About 41 mi from Bethlehem · Princeton, NJ
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
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Philadelphia, PA
About 48 mi from Bethlehem · Philadelphia, PA
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
The defining event — and one of the premier handmade craft markets in the mid-Atlantic region.- Event: Christkindlmarkt
- Location: ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem PA 18015
- Artisans: Dozens of artisan vendors plus retailers and food vendors
- German collectibles: Käthe Wohlfahrt — handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, and collectibles from Germany
Typical schedule: six consecutive weekends, from mid-November to just before Christmas (November 13–December 20 in 2026). Check the official ArtsQuest schedule for this year's dates and hours.
Featured experiences:- Visits with St. Nicholas
- Igloo rentals in the Winter Wonderland area (two-hour private igloo with admission for two and hot chocolate)
Other Craft Events in Bethlehem
ArtsQuest — year-round arts programming at SteelStacks campus:- MakerSpace and glass blowing programs
- Gallery exhibitions
- Craft-related events outside of Christkindlmarkt season
- Primarily a music festival; major regional event
- Check the Musikfest website for food and vendor details
- 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 — Bethlehem's home county; check local listings for community fairs
- Great Allentown Fair — Allentown (~6 miles west); Lehigh County's agricultural fair; Labor Day week
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 mid-November. Regional visitors from Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey make the trip specifically for the market. August — Musikfest, ArtsQuest's summer music festival Year-round — ArtsQuest programming at SteelStacks; Southside arts district eventsNearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Allentown, PA — ~6 miles west; Great Allentown Fair (Labor Day), Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival (September)
- Kutztown, PA — ~25 miles southwest; Eastern PA Homestead Festival (early July); Kutztown Fair (August)
- Easton, PA — ~9 miles northeast; 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 (early November), Rittenhouse Square show (May)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
Christkindlmarkt at the ArtsQuest Center, SteelStacks (101 Founders Way) is the top event — six weekends from mid-November into December, with dozens of artisan vendors. ArtsQuest also runs arts classes 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 runs in August. ArtsQuest programming runs year-round on the SteelStacks campus.
Are there country fairs near Bethlehem?
For Northampton County, check local listings for community fairs. The Great Allentown Fair (Allentown, ~6 miles west) runs the week of Labor Day.
Is there a handmade market scene in Bethlehem?
Christkindlmarkt is one of the premier handmade craft markets in the mid-Atlantic — dozens of artisan vendors and a German-inspired holiday market setting. 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.