It’s that time of year for Bethlehem to prove its name as the Christmas City of America! Learn about all that Bethlehem has to offer over Winter break.
With the Christmas season comes a variety of holiday festivities for families to enjoy. Named as the top holiday destination in America by USA Today, the rich history of Bethlehem, PA, makes it a renowned historic city and the Christmas City of America.
The Christmas season is a highlight in Bethlehem’s yearly traditions. Here are some activities to consider Bethlehem for:
Central Moravian Putz Shows
Every holiday season, the Central Moravian Church offers putz shows to the community. Putz shows are shows that depict the story of Jesus Christ’s birth through carved antique figures and intentional lighting of certain scenes. This showing is a tradition passed down from the early Moravian settlers. These scenes are thoroughly put together to bring the viewers a first-person sense of the story as well. The Putz shows open on Black Friday and runs through the entirety of December.
Christmas vespers
Christmas vespers are a well-known highlight of the holiday season for Moravian and Bethlehem. Traditionally, Christmas Vespers signify the ending of Nativity fasting and the beginning of celebration for Christ’s birth. This candlelight worship ceremony occurs six times throughout December at the Moravian Church, with music performed by Moravian’s vocal and student chamber ensembles. Entry tickets are no more than 15 dollars and are free for everyone on certain dates. Refer to Moravian’s website for more information on specific dates.
Carriage rides
The horse-pulled carriage rides are impossible to miss during this season. The carriage ride will give riders a cruise through Historic Bethlehem. Visitors are also able to pick between two carriages, Vis-a-vis or a Victorian carriage for couples. Rides are run by reservation only and will continue to operate until Jan. 11, 2025.
Christkindlmarkt
Running every weekend until Dec. 22, it’s acknowledged as one of the best holiday markets in the area. It has unique retail and crafts merchants from all over PA and beyond, each offering shoppers handmade artisans and antique collectibles for the holiday season. Food and beverage locations are also available to keep shoppers energized. This event only runs Friday through Sunday until further into December, when they will add Thursdays to their hours. Admission prices vary depending on the day, and children five and under are free.
Trees of Historic Bethlehem
Meticulously put together by the Bethlehem Garden Club, this tree exhibit showcases themed trees that are decorated to represent different states in America, such as New York, Georgia, and Washington D.C. It aims to bring ornaments and traditions of different locations in America in one exhibit for visitors to enjoy. The tour is self-guided and sanctioned at multiple locations of Historic Bethlehem – Kemer Museum of Decorative Arts, the Single Sisters’ House, and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem. It’s a great opportunity to take in not only the Moravian’s Christmas traditions but also other status traditions as well.
Winter Light Spectacular
Hosted at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, the Winter Light Spectacular has an abundance of offerings for visitors. The main attraction is its elaborate light designs which display different scenes for visitors to take in. Fire pits and warm treats such as hot chocolate and s’mores are available for visitors to take the moment in. Photos with Santa and special performances from Disney princesses are also included for the family to enjoy. Overall, a genuinely magical experience for everyone to enjoy. Admission prices range from 15 to 17 dollars depending on the day.
Live Advent Calendar
Starting Dec. 1 through the 23, a live advent calendar will be held at 5:30 p.m. every night at the Sun Inn Courtyard. For each night it continues it will be hosted by a different store or institution associated with Main Street/Historic Downtown Bethlehem. This Bethlehem tradition is unique to the country and contributes to the town’s festive atmosphere.
Moravian Museum of Bethlehem
Take a stop at the museum, which prides itself on preserving the original tradition and history of our Christmas City. Located in 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem, tourists get a direct walk through time. The museum has additional sights for tourists to visit, such as the Single Sisters House and the Nain-Schober House. Bundle admission tickets for the museum also offer access to other activities, such as the Christkindlmart.
The trip doesn’t have to end there. The city offers a variety of additional activities and tours to indulge in, such as the Bethlehem at night tour. This hour-long tour introduces tourists to the history of the Christmas City and provides the best views of the North Star on South Mountain.
Historic Bethlehem also provides an abundance of shops and restaurants to visit on Main Street, such as Brew Works and the Taproom and 1741 on the Terrace restaurants at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. An overall abundance of joy and warmth is available to Lehigh Valley locals during this cold season.
