news release

< back to media main page

CHRISTKINDLMARKT BETHLEHEM® MOVES TO STEELSTACKS, ADDS 5TH WEEKEND

DATE: Nov 1, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

SteelStacks Campus to Offer Free Parking, Blast Furnace Light Show, Expanded Holiday Programming

BETHLEHEM, PA—The popular Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem® holiday festival, a new music and light show on the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces, and beautiful holiday lights and decorations await visitors to the new SteelStacks arts and cultural campus in Bethlehem this holiday season.

Highlighting the Christmas at SteelStacks celebration, which gets underway Nov. 17, is Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, which has been recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the top holiday markets in the world. The event, which takes place Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 17-Dec. 18 (closed Thanksgiving Day), features aisles of exquisite, handmade works by more than 100 artisans from 15 states; the heart-warming sounds of live Christmas music performed by acoustic acts and choirs; and delicious German and Austrian favorites such as bratwurst, German roasted almonds and strudel. From beautiful, handcrafted jewelry, fine art photography and cinnamon scented beeswax ornaments, to edible birdhouses, handmade wooden drums and hand-carved wooden Santas, Christkindlmarkt offers thousands of holiday decorations and gift ideas perfect for every taste and budget.

Other attractions at Christkindlmarkt include Germany’s Käthe Wohlfarht, renowned for its handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles; ice carvers creating sculptures using chainsaws, picks and blowtorches; and jolly, old St. Nicholas, who’s eager to hear the holiday wishes of children of all ages. New this year are Make Your Own Glass Ornament Sessions, where children and adults can work hand-in-hand with the glass artists of ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory community arts center to create beautiful, hand-blown ornaments perfect for gift giving or the family tree.

Adjacent to Christkindlmarkt, guests will find a holiday wonderland as the SteelStacks campus comes alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Every night from Nov. 17-Dec. 31, the public can visit the campus, draped in holiday lights and 1930s-era decorations reminiscent of the days when Bethlehem first became known as The Christmas City. At 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., there’s a holiday-themed music and light show on the blast furnaces, the iconic, eight-story-tall structures from which SteelStacks takes its name. In addition, the 70-foot-long “Bridge� and the “Alchemy� fire sculptures on the campus’ Air Products Town Square will be lit every evening. The festivities all begin Nov. 17, 7 p.m., with a special holiday lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season.

At the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, guests can take in the “Bethlehem, The Christmas City� film; shop for unique presents at the Stacks Shop; or enjoy the special holiday menu at the Mike and Ike® Bistro, featuring a variety of hot beverages, delicious food and some of the most delightfully decadent desserts around.

From Nov. 17-20, the ArtsQuest Center is home to the SteelStacks Fine Art Sale, showcasing exquisite yet affordable works of art by some of the region’s most talented artists. In addition, the center’s Musikfest Café will offer unique concert and dining experiences including holiday performances by Elisabeth von Trapp, Wilson Phillips, The Chapin Family and the new “Christmas 1944� musical revue.

“Bethlehem has a rich holiday heritage, and the addition of the Christmas at SteelStacks celebration will only enhance the city’s appeal as a destination for celebrating the Christmas season,� said Jeff Parks, president of ArtsQuest, which presents Christkindlmarkt. “The SteelStacks campus offers great shopping, family activities and entertainment options all in one place, making it the ideal destination for the holidays. Plus, there‘s plenty of free parking on the campus, making it easy for guests to access Christkindlmarkt and all of the holiday festivities.�

Christkindlmarkt 2011 dates are Nov. 17-20 and 25-27 and Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18; hours are Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Advance tickets for the event, which are on sale now, are $7 for a daily pass (ages 12 and under are admitted free) and $13 for a season pass. Starting Nov. 17, admission is $8 for a daily pass and $15 for a season pass. Free parking for Christkindlmarkt is available adjacent to the venue, located at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem.

Christkindlmarkt and ArtsQuest’s holiday events and attractions at SteelStacks are made possible thanks to the support of sponsors such as Capital BlueCross, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, Service Electric Cable TV and Communications, 69-WFMZ-TV, 100.7 WLEV and the Word FM. The complete list of holiday events and attractions taking place at the arts and cultural campus is included below. For tickets and more information, please visit www.artsquest.org or 610-332-3378.

CHRISTMAS AT STEELSTACKS 2011

THE ASSOCIATED MESS PRESENTS: THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE RE-DUB SHOWS

Dec. 1 and 15: 8 p.m.

Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way

The Lehigh Valley's premier improv comedy troupe gets you in the holiday spirit by taking a handful of Christmas movies, muting the sound, and overdubbing with new, off-the-cuff dialogue!

Tickets: $8; $5 for students & seniors

BETHLEHEM STEEL WALKING TOURS

Nov. 17-24: 12:45 p.m.

Nov. 25-Dec. 23 (No tours Dec. 24-25):

Mon.-Wed., 12:45 p.m., and Thurs.-Sun., 12:45 and 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 26-30: 12:45 p.m.

Get a first-hand look at one of the nation’s industrial giants, Bethlehem Steel. On these guided walking tours, you’ll discover how the SouthSide of Bethlehem grew from Moravian farms into the home of the second largest steel manufacturer in the nation, as well as how the former Bethlehem Steel plant is being transformed today through music and the arts.

Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and under

“BETHLEHEM, THE CHRISTMAS CITY� FILM

Daily, see www.artsquest.org for times

ArtsQuest Center’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Discover the amazing story of Bethlehem, from its humble beginnings as a Moravian settlement in the wilderness of Penn’s Woods, to its rise to prominence during the Industrial Revolution and the height of Bethlehem Steel. This dynamic, 30-minute high-definition film was created by Lou Reda Productions, internationally recognized documentary filmmakers who have produced dozens of programs for the History Channel, BIO and A&E.

Tickets: $5

BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICHOLAS

Dec. 10 & 17: 9 a.m.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St.

Tickets: $14.95 for ages 11 and older; $11.95 for ages 2-10; $6.95 under age 2

CHRISTKINDLMARKT BETHLEHEM

Nov. 17-20 and 25-27 and Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18: Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St.

Tickets: Advance Prices (purchase by Nov. 16) $7 for a daily pass for ages 13 and older; $13 for a season pass; Ages 12 and under free

After Nov. 16:$8 for daily pass for ages 13 and older; $15 for season pass

“CHRISTMAS 1944�

Dec. 2, 9 and 10:Lunch at noon; show at 1:30 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

Travel back in time with this heart-warming musical telling the story of three women and their journey for hope, love and Christmas spirit during World War II. These women include a mother with a son fighting in Europe, a wife working at Bethlehem Steel until her husband returns and a young girl who finds love for the first time. Add Christmas classics such as “White Christmas� and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas� and you have a memorable show that is a “must-see� for the holiday season.

Tickets: $54

ELISABETH VON TRAPP AT STEELSTACKS

Nov. 17, 3 p.m. (3 p.m. performance, followed by dinner)
Nov. 18, 11 a.m. (11 a.m. performance, followed by lunch)
Nov. 19, 11 a.m. (11 a.m. performance, followed by lunch)
Nov. 19, noon (2 p.m. performance, with lunch at noon in ArtsQuest Center’s Fowler Blast Furnace Room)

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

Join the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" as she takes you on a musical journey from Bach to Broadway and Schubert to Sting, including performances of some of the most beloved holiday classics of all time.

Tickets: $54

HARRY CHAPIN – A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION IN SONG

Dec. 10: 8 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

Join three-time Grammy Award winner Tom Chapin, Clio Award winner and former Harry Chapin band leader Steve Chapin and other members of the Chapin family and their friends as they celebrate the life and music of singer-songwriter Harry Chapin. This special concert will also feature the ensemble performing beloved holiday classics.

Tickets: $59 Balcony/$49 Cabaret

JIMMY AND THE PARROTS – HOLIDAY PARROT PARTY

Dec. 30: 8 p.m.

Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

Tickets: $10

NUT/CRACKED

Dec. 7: 7:30 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

It’s “The Nutcracker,� but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girl’s favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theater. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity.

Tickets: $25 Balcony/$20 Cabaret

SARAH AYERS & FRIENDS

Dec. 17: 7:30 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

Tickets: $20 Balcony/$15 Cabaret

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY! START MAKING SENSE, WITH THE GREAT WHITE CAPS

Dec. 31: 9 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

New Year’s Eve Party on the Musikfest Café Balcony: $89, includes show ticket, plus beer, wine, soda & light fare

Admission Only: $15 in advance; $18 at the door

STEELSTACKS FINE ART SALE

Nov. 17-20:

Thurs., 7-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon-8 p.m.; and Sun., noon-6 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

WILSON PHILLIPS HOLIDAY SHOW

Dec. 9: 8 p.m.

ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

Wilson Phillips’ self-titled debut album sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and included three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 - "Hold On," "Release Me" and "You’re in Love." This special holiday concert features the recently reunited trio performing its hits, as well as the holiday music featured on its 2010 holiday recording, “Christmas in Harmony.�

Tickets: $50 Balcony/$40 Cabaret

ABOUT ARTSQUEST

ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®; the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks™ arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest's programming reaches more than 1.5 million people annually.

For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.

Become a Banana Factory® Artist!
Open Call for Resident Artists. More information here.