Cold, dead eyes around every corner, hunchback students crowding the library as their deodorant disproves its 24-hour guarantee, faint crying coming from the dorm room across the hall — oh yeah, baby, smells like finals week. Wipe those tears (they might freeze) and take a break from skull-bashing study sessions with some of these Lehigh Valley holiday events.
Easton Winter Village
Starting off with a classic, any student slipping down icy College Hill this past Friday would’ve witnessed Easton’s Winter Village opening its gates in Centre Square. Originating during COVID-19 to provide holiday shopping for the situationally agoraphobic people of Easton, the village has become a staple of the community and will run until Dec. 21.
“It’s a mix of fun holiday-centric programming, music and activities,” said Joe Dimeck, the program’s special events and promotions manager. “It’s just become another winter market that people can shop at and take their families to, and have a fun, festive time.”
With over 30 vendors and weekly business spotlights, the village aims to provide a wondrous experience while also supporting local business owners in the community, which is why entry has remained free despite similar events charging for admittance.
“If we’re charging admission, we’re taking away money that can go to the businesses,” Dimeck said.
Taking over Easton’s “historic and charming downtown,” the village seeks to bring together residents in a celebration of everything that makes our little wet armpit of Pennsylvania special. From art exhibits, happy hours and student performances, to street hockey tournaments, Sunday movie matinees — tune in this Sunday for a “Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Elf” double feature — and uh … MeLVin (the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team mascot, obviously).
Christkindlmarkt
Taking a step out of Easton into the greater Lehigh Valley, ArtsQuest’s German-inspired Christkindlmarkt of Bethlehem is making its yearly return, grander than ever before. Bringing in a combination of traditional German dishes and local delicacies (mostly pizza), as well as live performers and a brand spanking new winter wonderland, the market seeks to expand its horizons while staying true to what makes it so special.
There is more on sale than just food, however, with over 170 vendors, artisans and craftspeople being the main attractions of the event. Käthe Wohlfahrt, the premier manufacturer of handcrafted German Christmas items, based in Rhotenburg, Germany, is the most high-profile vendor at the event.
“They bring in thousands of German traditional nutcrackers, ornaments, pretty much anything you can imagine,” said Curt Mosel, the chief operating officer of ArtsQuest.
Barbara Talijan, founder of the bead business, Owl Be Beading, said she’s been attending the event for over 20 years.
“Just talk to the vendors,” Talijan said. “We love talking about our artwork, so talk to us. It’ll get your mind off of your studies or whatever and get you in a more creative mind frame.”
“What a great way for family to really kick off their holiday at home, but come down here and enjoy Bethlehem,” Mosel said.
The Christkindlmarkt will be running four days a week until Dec. 21, with exact hours available on the ArtsQuest website.
Illumination at Coca-Cola Park
For baseball enthusiasts, holiday lovers or general fans of the unit of luminous intensity (Candela), take a stroll through Allentown’s Illumination at Coca-Cola Park. Returning for its second year, the event entails the complete repurposing of the Coca-Cola baseball field, using the space to string up nearly one and a half million lights, as well as to house myriad festive attractions.
“We turn it basically into a whole winter festival,” said Sam Jellinek, the broadcast and media relations manager of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
The park is home to curling lanes, an actual moving train, the (supposedly) real Mr. and Mrs. Claus, igloos and, for the first time, a carousel just outside the main entrance gates.
“Everyone always loves the train,” Jelinek said.
Partnering with the Christkindlmarkt, they offer a bundle ticket price for admission to both events to fully round out the Lehigh Valley holiday experience, and it will be running through the new year.
Does any of this sound appealing to you? Then go, go! Bring a friend, too. Inject some cheer into your lives, that final paper will still be there tomorrow…