Christmas City Village is Bethlehem's wooden-stall market in the Sun Inn Courtyard, in the historic district. In 2026 it opens Friday to Sunday from 20 November to 20 December, from 11 am to 7 pm, and admission is free. It is a calm starting point for an afternoon on Main Street, with the Live Advent Calendar in the same courtyard in December. Our Bethlehem, Pennsylvania guide covers it alongside Christkindlmarkt.
How the Village differs from Christkindlmarkt
The two markets share a town and a season, but little else. Christkindlmarkt stands on PNC Plaza at SteelStacks on the South Side, with day tickets, a free Friday evening window and Thursday openings in December. Christmas City Village sits in the historic district, opens only Friday to Sunday and charges no admission.
Payment works differently too. ArtsQuest's cashless rules apply to its own sales at Christkindlmarkt, but the Village does not automatically use that system. Ask each vendor about their payment and purchase conditions before you order or buy.
Online, older Village listings mix information from different years. The 2026 dates in the guide follow the current event series and the city calendar.
A circuit with a focus
Begin with one loop of the courtyard to see which stalls are open. Then give your shopping a single focus: a gift for one person, a material you like, or an object you would like to learn more about. Ask the vendor who made a piece, which materials were used and how it should be packed for travel.
If you are visiting as a group, agree on a precise meeting point. A vague arrangement such as "at the market" becomes unclear quickly in a town with two markets and several venues.
What to add on Main Street
The guide's simple downtown plan is one cultural appointment, a market circuit and a break. Pick the appointment first and fit the rest around it:
Moravian Museum: in the 1741 Gemeinhaus at 66 West Church Street, open Friday and Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts: at 427 North New Street, open Friday and Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.
Christmas Putz: at Central Moravian Church, 40 West Church Street, from 27 November. Friday 1 to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm. No ticket, donations welcome.
Goundie House Welcome Center: at 501 Main Street, with museum and tour advice. Its published hours are contradictory, so check before going.
Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe: next door at 505 Main Street, if you want to look at more gifts.
Ending with the Advent Calendar
From 1 to 23 December, the Live Advent Calendar takes place every day at 5:30 pm in the Sun Inn Courtyard. A local business or organisation provides each day's surprise, it is free and it lasts around 10 to 15 minutes. On a December Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can browse the Village, attend the calendar and still have time for a final look before the market closes at 7 pm.
The calendar does not extend the market's hours. On a Monday, for example, the calendar runs but the wooden stalls stay closed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas City Village open on Thursdays?
No. The 2026 calendar lists Friday to Sunday only, from 11 am to 7 pm.
Do I need a ticket for Christmas City Village?
No. The city events calendar lists free admission.
When is the Village combined with the Advent Calendar?
On December weekends: 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 December.
Research status: 29 October 2026. Dates, times and prices are planning information and can change, so check the official organiser and venue sources before you travel.
