Christkindlmarkt Ushers in Holiday Season: Your Week

The Christmas season officially arrives in Bethlehem this week when the craft tents at Christkindlmarkt open at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Here’s what else is going on in Bethlehem this week:

• The Bethlehem Area School Board holds its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the East Hills Middle Schools auditorium. Click here for the full agenda.

• Bethlehem Township Commissioners meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the township municipal building. Click here for the agenda.

• Former Florida governor and potential 2016 GOP presidential contender Jeb Bush visits the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks Monday night for a conversation on immigration and other issues. Bush is the author of Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution. Hear what he proposes at an 8 p.m. talk in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors and free for ArtsQuest members.

• What child isn't both fascinated and repelled by reptiles? Snake charmer Bradley Kunsman returns with his menagerie to the Bethlehem Area Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for Family Fun Night. Recommended for ages 4 and older.

• Bethlehem City Council holds a regular meeting for general purposes at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The agenda was not yet available.

• Operatic pop vocal group Il Divo visits the Sands Bethlehem Event Center at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The world’s first and still the best classical crossover group – Urs Buhler, Carlos Marin, David Miller and Sebastien Izambard – have sold over 26 million albums, enjoyed over 50 number ones, chalked up 160 gold and platinum sales in over 33 countries. Tickets are from $69.50 to $150.

• The SteelStacks will be alive … to the sound of people singing along to 1965 classic film “The Sound of Music” at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. The evening begins with a live show in which your host will lead you through a vocal warm-up, judge the fancy dress competition and award the prizes. Costumes are not compulsory but they are recommended. The host will then show you how to use your free fun pack throughout the film and suggest some appropriate heckles and accompanying actions (such as hissing the countess, barking at Rolf and, of course, cheering for Julie). Tickets are $17, less for students, seniors and ArtsQuest members.

• Bethlehem City Council holds a budget hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday. The city’s water and sewer funds are among the items scheduled for discussion. The Callahan administration is asking for 15 percent rate hikes for both water and sewer fees.