Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt 2025: KinderWorld, Santa, Science, And Storytelling
Linglestown, Harrisburg • Outdoor German Christmas market • Free family fun for kids and families
Imagine a crisp December day in the heart of Linglestown. The streets are lined with twinkling lights, the air smells like coffee, roasted nuts, and German treats, and music drifts past more than one hundred handcrafted vendors. That is the scene at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt, a charming outdoor German Christmas market that feels like a small town holiday movie come to life.
This year, the magic returns on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is free to attend, held rain or shine, and loaded with kid friendly fun. And at the very center of it all is a sweet little world made just for children. Welcome to KinderWorld.
What Is Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt?
Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt is an outdoor German Christmas market that fills the Village of Linglestown with handcrafted vendors, live entertainment, and festive food. It is designed to be walkable, family friendly, and easy on the budget. No tickets. No entry fee. Just park, explore, and enjoy.
You will find artisan gifts, seasonal decor, local makers, and traditional treats that make it easy to shop for everyone on your list while supporting small businesses close to home. Add music, street food, lights, and plenty of places to pause with a snack, and you have the makings of a very cozy Central PA tradition.
What truly sets this market apart, though, is how intentionally it is built for kids. Families are not an afterthought here. They are the main event.
KinderWorld: A Magical Free Children’s Area
.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:600,cg=true)
Our magical children’s area, KinderWorld, offers an enchanting free experience for our youngest visitors, filled with festive activities, creative crafts, and holiday themed games. You will find it tucked between Mellow Minded Cafe and Treasures From Home, right in the heart of the village.
- Make and take holiday crafts.
- Play simple seasonal games that kids can jump into at their own pace.
- Enjoy festive fun with partners who love working with children and families.
KinderWorld is the perfect place to let little ones explore and reset while grown ups take a breath, sip something warm, and soak in the atmosphere. Come and go as you explore the market. Activity times vary throughout the day.
Discover The Fun Inside KinderWorld
Throughout the day, KinderWorld and the surrounding area host special guests who bring science, stories, puppets, and music to life for kids.
WOW - Whitaker Center For Science And The Arts
Discover the fun while you explore science. Whitaker Center’s WOW program brings hands on STEM activities that let kids tinker, test, and learn through play. It is the perfect blend of brainy and festive.
Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater
Celebrate different holiday traditions with the Holiday Hullaballo, a lively puppet show filled with music, characters, and kid sized humor.
Showtime: 11:00 a.m.
Matthew Dodd - Singer Storyteller
Matthew tells stories through personalized song, educating while entertaining. His mix of music and storytelling keeps kids listening, laughing, and learning.
Performance window: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, And Reindeer Food
Capture a magical moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the porch of Treasures From Home. It is a sweet, small town setting for Christmas photos and quick conversations about wish lists.
While you are there, kids can pick up Reindeer Food to sprinkle on the lawn Christmas Eve, courtesy of the elves from the Linglestown Middle School Honor Society.
Note: Supplies are limited and activity times vary throughout the day, so plan to stop by early if this is a must do for your family.
Living Nativity In Front Of Enders Insurance
Celebrate the season with a Living Nativity presented by neighborhood churches, located right in front of Enders Insurance. Rotating congregations share short, meaningful scenes that offer a quiet moment in the middle of the bustle.
Living Nativity Schedule
- 10:00 a.m. Epiphany Lutheran Church
- 10:30 a.m. St. Thomas United Church of Christ
- 11:00 a.m. Linglestown Life
- 12:30 p.m. Colonial Park UCC
- 1:00 p.m. East Shore Baptist Church
- 1:30 p.m. Harrisburg Chinese Alliance Church
- 2:00 p.m. Road to Emmaus Church
These short performances are a beautiful way to help kids connect the sights and sounds of the season with the story at its center.
Quick Details For Families
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Village of Linglestown, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
- Cost: Free to attend
- Weather: Rain or shine
Plan layers, comfy walking shoes, and maybe a wagon or stroller for tired legs. Check LPCKM.com and event social media the week of the market for maps, vendor lists, parking details, and any last minute updates.
