German Christmas market decking Harmony’s historic halls over weekend
HARMONY — The borough is again stamping its unique brand of culture and historic pride on the holidays this year.
Harmony’s WeihnachtsMarkt, or Christmas Market, will flood the streets with German food, drink and music; crafts; horse-drawn wagon rides; and other yuletide treats. The festival will last from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.
Named by Travelmag as one of the top 20 Christmas markets in the U.S. in 2021, the event draws thousands of visitors from across multiple states for a celebration of the borough’s German roots.
“Harmony’s Christmas Market is a great event for holiday shopping,” said Gwen Lutz, event organizer and vice president of the Harmony Museum. “And with our German food and music, it’s no wonder Harmony was named one of the top 20 Christmas markets in the country.”
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and Harmony museum members, and $4 for students. Any child younger than 6 can accompany their family at the event for free.
Tickets provide access throughout the day to Harmony’s National Historic Landmark District, which includes the market, the horse-drawn wagons and all entertainment events. Marked, commercial parking lots offer free parking throughout the borough, and free shuttle buses offer rides from these sites to the WeihnachtsMarkt.
Shoppers at the market can find pottery, stained glass, jewelry, clocks, candles, baskets, soaps, lotions, baked goods, roasted nuts, pretzels, mustards, jams, specialty olive oils, imported German goods, Christmas ornaments, handmade cards, hand-painted pine cones, wood-carved works such as treenware, or household goods, and other artwork. Dozens of specialty vendors and traditional crafters received the chance to sell their goods at the market based on the quality of their work.
Visitors also can see weavers, quilters and spinners at work and sample regionally produced wine, moonshine and, of course, the traditional favorite Glühwein. Visitors can drink Glühwein, a hot German punch, from commemorative mugs if they like.
Celebrated musicians Heritage Band, Mädel Jäger and Alpen Schuhplattlers of Pittsburgh’s Teutonia Mannerchor will all bring live German music to the festival.
Heritage Band will perform Saturday, Mädel Jäger will perform Sunday and Alpen Schuhplattlers will perform both days of the festival.
A restaurant, a brew pub, two coffee shops and specialty shops will offer other delights within blocks of the market. Shoppers can find art, antiques, collectibles, books, crocheted items, knitworks, baked goods and gift items at many of these sites.
Visitors can find Historic Harmony off Interstate 79 at exits 87 and 88, which lie about 10 miles north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and 30 miles south of Interstate 80. They can park without charge in lots at the Harmony Warehouses on Mercer Street, Sysco Food Services on Route 68 off the I-79 at exit 87, Steamfitters Technology Center in Jackson Township, and Robinson Fans on Robinson Drive in Zelienople.
