While this year may be a bit different than those in the past, many municipalities are still holding trick-or-treat activities this weekend throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Here are just a few simple tips or reminders to keep yourself and others safe during this time.

1. Be on the lookout: Simply pay more attention on Halloween weekend as compared to others. If you start your drive knowing to be looking out for additional people on the roads, you are already starting off on the right foot.
2. Drive more slowly: This weekend’s not the time to be speeding through the neighborhood. Take your time. There will be many more children on the streets after dark.
3. Be on the lookout for kids: This sounds obvious, but children are shorter than adults and adults are mostly who is normally out after dark on a given night. Be sure to be on the lookout a little lower than usual!
4. Be patient: You might have to stop for a red light for awhile or make a few more stops than usual.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun!

Things aren’t quite normal in 2020 and that is evidence by the shake up in events throughout the year.

While we may be expecting Oktoberfests popping up throughout the area around this time of year, Bethlehem’s famous holiday shopping festival, Christkindlmarkt, is already open and has a new look!

If you’ve visited Christkindlmarkt in the past, you’ll notice that this year will feature an open air plan without that familiar overhead tent, in the name of safety and social distancing.

Celebrating 28 years this year, Christkindlmarkt, Presented by Univest Financial®, is a one-of-a-kind family event that brings Bethlehem alive with the spirit of the season. Twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, this heart-warming holiday event features:

Handmade works by more than 50 of the nation’s finest artisans.

The ring-ting-tingling sounds of live Christmas music and jolly, old St. Nick’s hearty laughter.

Käthe Wohlfahrt, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany.

Cooking with St. Nicholas, via Zoom select days in November (additional ticket required).

For 2020, the event has undergone a major transformation. Gone are the four large tents on SteelStacks’ PNC Plaza and in is a spacious, new layout highlighted by artisans and artists’ huts spread across the SteelStacks campus, coupled with the unique holiday décor and lighting of Rileighs Outdoor Décor.

When the market opens in autumn, it will offer a fall festival flair, while November’s arrival will usher in a variety of holiday programming as it takes on the feel of an outdoor German market.

Christkindlmarkt 2020 season begins on Thursday, October 8 and runs weekends until November 29!

Click here to view the schedule.