From the November/December 2023 issue
What to Do in November and December
Pennsylvania has a lot of marquee holiday events.
Christkindlmarkts are a unique German tradition that communities recreate in their own way, and they can be an excellent adventure to kick off the season.
Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt runs from November 17 through December 17 on Thursdays through Sunday at the SteelStacks. Admission is charged. See christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt; 610-332-1300.
Mifflinburg’s event, which is the oldest of its kind in the U.S., runs December 14-16. It takes over part of the borough’s downtown, giving it an authentic German market feel. Each year, the event features a German city; this year, it’s Seiffen. See oldchristkindl.com; 888-666-0877.
Pittsburgh has an annual holiday market that resembles a Christkindlmarkt, held in Market Square, which includes PPG Place in the downtown area. The setting with its glass and steel buildings gives a festive quality to the small structures erected for the event. The dates have not been posted yet for this year’s market, but last year, it was November 18 to December 22, with Light Up Night on November 19. See downtownpittsburghholidays.com/holiday-market; 412-566-4190.
Although an English tradition, instead of German, Wellsboro’s single-day Dickens of a Christmas takes over its gas-lit boulevard and other venues in town for a celebration on December 2. See wellsboropa.com/index.php/dickens-of-a-christmas-celebration; 570-724-1926
Other towns and events to investigate
It’s a Wonderful Life in Indiana
Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas
Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum Holiday Train Display
Look around your county (or neighboring county), and you’ll find many other happenings for you and family and friends, including drive-though light displays, craft shows, concerts, cookie walks and Santa visits. Our listing of events (that starts on page 44) is just a beginning to what’s going on in our wondrous state.