When it comes to celebrating the season, what are your #LehighValleyTraditions? We’ve rounded up the quintessential things to do and places to go that make December a month to remember. Peruse our list to see if we share the same tried-and-true traditions, or use it as a guide to discover a new one or two. Ready? Let’s go!
Break Out the Gingerbread
Blue Mountain Ski Resort
Gather with fellow cookie contractors at the Gingerbread House Workshop at Blue Mountain Ski Resort on December 10, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., and then marvel at the masterpieces entered in the SteelStacks Gingerbread House Competition, on display through December 23.
Weihnachtsmarkt
Christmas City Village
As if Christkindlmarkt weren’t enough of a tongue-twister, Bethlehem’s downtown Christmas market, Weihnachtsmarkt, provides even more shopping ops amid wooden stalls along Main Street. Now through December 23, refuel on the weekends with bratwurst, sauerkraut and hot mulled wine called Gluhwein.
Editor’s Tip: Ride the complimentary Christmas City Trolley each Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. to shop each market. Runs every 20 to 30 minutes.
Shop Local, Shop Fresh
Easton Farmers’ Market
Instagram-worthy meals are best made with ingredients sourced from the Easton Farmers’ Market in Centre Square. Lucky for us, they’re still around through mid-December.
Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fun Fact: Easton Farmers’ Market is known as the nation’s longest-running, continuously operating outdoor farmers’ market, celebrating 265 years.
Destination Arts: Third Thursday
Downtown Allentown
Last-minute shoppers, rejoice! Destination Arts gives you one more chance to find unique gifts from local arts venues, artist studios and retailers. When you’re done, enjoy special menus at many of your favorite restaurants.
Dec. 21, 5–8 p.m.
Can’t-Miss Tradition
25th Anniversary Christkindlmarkt
You just can’t celebrate the gift-giving season without a visit to Christkindlmarkt. Out-of-town guests will be charmed and delighted to peruse the wares at this European-style, open-air arts and crafts market housed in large heated tents at SteelStacks.
Nov. 30–Dec. 3, Dec. 7–10, 14–17 & 21–23
Cosmic Cocoa
The Cosmic Cup Coffee Company
Linger over a cup of hot chocolate (or any of their hot beverages, for that matter) at The Cosmic Cup Coffee Company on College Hill in Easton now that the Lafayette students are on winter break.
A Very Victorian Christmas
Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas
The downtown boutiques and restaurants will once again be decked out with Victorian-era decorations for Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas. Don’t miss the Christmas tree in Josiah White Park, train rides with Santa and strolling carolers. Plenty of free family events and live entertainment each weekend.
25 Days of Delicious
Josh Early Candies
We can’t decide if advent calendars from Josh Early Candies are a quaint countdown to Christmas or a futile exercise in willpower. Either way, better pick up additional backup.
4640 Tilghman St., Allentown | 3620 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem