|
|
|
christkindlmarkt
Right off Major Tip: If money is tight, go Friday night's 6 - 8 p.m. admission is free. That topic is for later. Everyone I have mentioned admission price to thinks it is way too high.
Christkindlmarkt: beautiful combination of vendors / artists / decorations / igloos / food. After stopping by 3 times last year, decided to include in holiday edition. Figured: walk around / video review / leave. No plans to spend money. That part lasted about 1/2 hour. Dropped between $70 - $80. Stroopies / Baklava / Non-Parrells / Chocolate Covered Pretzels / Hot Dog / Diet Coke / Jingle Juice mixed drink (in official cup!) / Holiday Shopping. Time: Figured 1/2 hour - 45 minutes. Actual time: almost 2 hours.
Hopefully, this gives you a great idea about the experience. Christkindlmarkt is a place that will get you into / improve holiday mood. I walked in through huge holiday present / outside tents first. With igloos / firepits to warm up (it was 60 that Friday evening). Ice Sculpture demonstrations (I watched people ice skate / Bryant Park in 80 degrees, why not?). WIDE variety of vendors / artists make holiday shopping easy. Although deciding between everyone may be slightly difficult. Need food / beverage? Again wide variety for adults / kids. Now, for the "What the fuck are they thinking????"
Realize operating costs constantly increase (electricity / tents / etc.). Mentioned normal admission price to several people. Everyone agreed $11 (advance / Thurs. Fri. $12 day of, $14 / $15 Sat. Sun.) is way to high. I don't have kids and wouldn't pay that much. Admission does not include anything. That is just to walk in. Of course, ArtisQuest pushes their "admission free for members!", great possibility for locals only. Also, great concept if you plan on going about 4 or 5 times. Have a famil with kids over 5? You could easily drop at least $56 to enter. So much for having money for vendors / gifts / food / beverages. Only way I could have dropped the cash was free admission. Fully support indie creators / vendors. You know the vendors are not getting off cheap to be there.
Another possible downside: no live music. Hate to be like this, Christkindlmarkt used to have local bands. Sorry, if you are charging vendors + high admission, pay local bands to perform, seriously. Live music, especially holiday music improves attendees' spirits / chance they will spend more. It's the Lehigh Valley, expect this lack of common sense / intelligence.
ArtsQuest is like Allentown, obscenely rare I will say anything good about them (it is earned...). If you have a higher holiday budget / more money, Christkindlmarkt is worth the visit. Every aspect, especially vendors / food / artists combine to make is an excellent experience / holiday shopping. Tight on finances? Definitely go Friday between 6 - 8 p.m.
Personal Note: over the past few years, started a few holiday traditions. Holiday shopping at Christmas Villages / markets only is one of them.
Christkindlmarkt: beautiful combination of vendors / artists / decorations / igloos / food. After stopping by 3 times last year, decided to include in holiday edition. Figured: walk around / video review / leave. No plans to spend money. That part lasted about 1/2 hour. Dropped between $70 - $80. Stroopies / Baklava / Non-Parrells / Chocolate Covered Pretzels / Hot Dog / Diet Coke / Jingle Juice mixed drink (in official cup!) / Holiday Shopping. Time: Figured 1/2 hour - 45 minutes. Actual time: almost 2 hours.
Hopefully, this gives you a great idea about the experience. Christkindlmarkt is a place that will get you into / improve holiday mood. I walked in through huge holiday present / outside tents first. With igloos / firepits to warm up (it was 60 that Friday evening). Ice Sculpture demonstrations (I watched people ice skate / Bryant Park in 80 degrees, why not?). WIDE variety of vendors / artists make holiday shopping easy. Although deciding between everyone may be slightly difficult. Need food / beverage? Again wide variety for adults / kids. Now, for the "What the fuck are they thinking????"
Realize operating costs constantly increase (electricity / tents / etc.). Mentioned normal admission price to several people. Everyone agreed $11 (advance / Thurs. Fri. $12 day of, $14 / $15 Sat. Sun.) is way to high. I don't have kids and wouldn't pay that much. Admission does not include anything. That is just to walk in. Of course, ArtisQuest pushes their "admission free for members!", great possibility for locals only. Also, great concept if you plan on going about 4 or 5 times. Have a famil with kids over 5? You could easily drop at least $56 to enter. So much for having money for vendors / gifts / food / beverages. Only way I could have dropped the cash was free admission. Fully support indie creators / vendors. You know the vendors are not getting off cheap to be there.
Another possible downside: no live music. Hate to be like this, Christkindlmarkt used to have local bands. Sorry, if you are charging vendors + high admission, pay local bands to perform, seriously. Live music, especially holiday music improves attendees' spirits / chance they will spend more. It's the Lehigh Valley, expect this lack of common sense / intelligence.
ArtsQuest is like Allentown, obscenely rare I will say anything good about them (it is earned...). If you have a higher holiday budget / more money, Christkindlmarkt is worth the visit. Every aspect, especially vendors / food / artists combine to make is an excellent experience / holiday shopping. Tight on finances? Definitely go Friday between 6 - 8 p.m.
Personal Note: over the past few years, started a few holiday traditions. Holiday shopping at Christmas Villages / markets only is one of them.
video review
