Discover the essence of the holidays in Bethlehem with our overview guide. Find all the key festive events and activities. For Bethlehem natives and visitors alike, this guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
Step into a winter wonderland at Christkindlmarkt, where you'll find charming holiday shops, live performances, and exquisite handmade crafts. Stroll through Bethlehem's Christmas City Village, a European-style market with unique holiday gifts and delicious seasonal treats. And The Christmas City Stroll is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering guided tours through Bethlehem's historic and picturesque streets. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bethlehem
- Christkindlmarkt
- Bethlehem's Christmas City Village
- The Christmas City Stroll
- Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour
- Live Advent Calendar
- Christmas Huts on Main
- Christmas City Follies
- Holiday Putz Trail
- Christmas Vespers Services
- Historic Hotel Bethlehem Tours
Bethlehem Holiday Light Displays
Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour
What to Expect:
Nighttime tour of Bethlehem's holiday lights
Description:
Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour illuminates the city's holiday splendor after dark. This evening excursion showcases Bethlehem's most dazzling light displays and decorated historic sites. Passengers journey through time, learning about the city's 275-year history of Christmas celebrations. The tour includes a stop at the iconic Star of Bethlehem, which has shone from South Mountain since 1937. Visitors can admire the intricate light displays adorning the city's Victorian and colonial-era buildings. The bus tour provides a comprehensive view of Bethlehem's holiday transformation, from the bustling downtown to quiet residential streets aglow with twinkling lights.
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Luminaria Night
What to Expect:
Thousands of candles lining streets and sidewalks
Description:
Luminaria Night bathes Bethlehem in the warm glow of thousands of candles. This community-wide event sees residents and businesses lining streets, sidewalks, and porches with luminaria – small paper bags filled with sand and lit candles. The tradition began in the 1990s as a fundraiser for New Bethany Ministries, which serves the homeless and poor. Visitors can stroll through historic neighborhoods, enjoying the soft light and peaceful atmosphere. The event transforms the entire city into a flickering landscape, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. Luminaria Night offers a moment of tranquility and reflection during the busy holiday season, while supporting a worthy cause.
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Bethlehem Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style Christmas market
Description:
Bethlehem's Christkindlmarkt transports visitors to a traditional German holiday bazaar. Artisans showcase handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and intricate glass art. The aroma of roasted chestnuts wafts through the air as you explore over 150 vendor stalls. This market pays homage to Bethlehem's Moravian heritage, which dates back to 1741. Visitors can participate in glassblowing demonstrations, witnessing the creation of delicate ornaments. The Christkindlmarkt celebrates Pennsylvania's rich German cultural influences, offering an immersive Old World experience in the heart of the Lehigh Valley.
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Bethlehem's Christmas City Village
What to Expect:
Quaint wooden huts in historic downtown
Description:
Bethlehem's Christmas City Village transforms the historic downtown into a charming European-style marketplace. Wooden huts line the streets, offering locally crafted gifts and seasonal treats. Artisans demonstrate their skills, creating one-of-a-kind pieces before your eyes. The village showcases Bethlehem's rich colonial history, with many structures dating back to the 18th century. Visitors can sample traditional Moravian sugar cake, a local delicacy with deep roots in the city's culinary heritage. As you stroll through the village, the sound of carolers echoes off the historic stone buildings, creating an atmosphere that harkens back to Christmases past.
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Bethlehem's Christmas City Village
Christmas Huts on Main
What to Expect:
Artisan-made gifts in traditional wooden huts
Description:
Christmas Huts on Main Street recreates the ambiance of a European holiday market in downtown Bethlehem. Local artisans and craftspeople sell their wares from charming wooden huts, offering unique, handmade gifts. The event celebrates Bethlehem's strong artisan tradition, which dates back to its founding in 1741. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, such as blacksmithing and woodworking. The huts feature an array of locally made items, from hand-blown glass ornaments to intricately carved wooden toys. This open-air market captures the essence of old-world craftsmanship while supporting local artists and makers.
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Bethlehem Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Live Advent Calendar
What to Expect:
Daily live performances behind calendar doors
Description:
Bethlehem's Live Advent Calendar brings a beloved holiday tradition to life. Each evening in December, a crowd gathers in front of the Goundie House on Main Street. At 5:30 PM, a town crier rings a bell, and a door in the building opens to reveal a surprise performance. Local musicians, dancers, and actors present brief shows, delighting spectators with holiday cheer. This unique event draws inspiration from German advent calendars, reflecting Bethlehem's strong cultural ties to its founders. Visitors witness a different performance each night, encouraging repeated visits to experience the full range of local talent and holiday spirit.
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Christmas City Follies
What to Expect:
Comedic holiday variety show
Description:
Christmas City Follies presents a hilarious and heartwarming holiday variety show at Bethlehem's Touchstone Theatre. This annual production blends sketch comedy, music, and storytelling with a distinctly local flavor. The show pokes fun at holiday traditions while celebrating the spirit of the season. Performers incorporate elements of Bethlehem's history and culture into their acts, creating a unique experience for locals and visitors alike. You'll witness original characters, musical numbers, and comedic skits that change each year. The Follies have become a beloved Bethlehem tradition, running for over two decades and showcasing the city's vibrant performing arts scene.
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Bethlehem Other Holiday Activities
The Christmas City Stroll
What to Expect:
Guided walking tour of historic Bethlehem
Description:
The Christmas City Stroll unveils Bethlehem's rich holiday heritage through a guided walking tour. Costumed guides lead visitors through centuries-old streets, revealing hidden historical gems and festive traditions. The tour highlights the city's unique Moravian architecture, including the 1741 Gemeinhaus, Bethlehem's oldest building. Participants learn about the city's role in shaping American Christmas traditions, such as the first documented Christmas tree in America. You'll discover the stories behind iconic local landmarks and their holiday significance. The stroll offers an intimate look at Bethlehem's transformation from a colonial settlement to the "Christmas City" it is today.
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Holiday Putz Trail
What to Expect:
Traditional Moravian nativity scenes
Description:
The Holiday Putz Trail showcases Bethlehem's unique Moravian Christmas tradition. Putz, derived from the German word "putzen" meaning "to decorate," refers to elaborate nativity scenes. These miniature displays feature intricate details, from tiny figurines to realistic landscapes. The trail leads visitors to various locations throughout historic Bethlehem, each featuring a different putz. This centuries-old tradition dates back to the city's founding in 1741. Visitors can admire the craftsmanship of these handmade scenes, which often incorporate natural materials like moss and twigs. The Putz Trail offers a glimpse into Bethlehem's rich Moravian heritage and its enduring Christmas customs.
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Christmas Vespers Services
What to Expect:
Traditional Moravian candlelight service
Description:
Christmas Vespers Services at Central Moravian Church continue a tradition dating back to 18th-century Bethlehem. These candlelight services feature the haunting melodies of Moravian brass choirs and the angelic voices of the church's renowned choir. Attendees participate in the centuries-old custom of holding beeswax candles adorned with red ribbons. The service includes readings from the Christmas story interspersed with traditional hymns. You'll experience the solemnity and beauty of this Moravian tradition in a church that has stood since 1806. The Vespers Services offer a moment of reflection amidst the bustle of the holiday season, connecting visitors to Bethlehem's spiritual roots.
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Historic Hotel Bethlehem Tours
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes look at a historic hotel
Description:
Historic Hotel Bethlehem Tours offer an insider's view of one of the city's most iconic landmarks. This guided experience takes visitors through the grand lobby, ballrooms, and hidden corners of the 1922 hotel. The tour reveals the building's storied past, from its origins as a Moravian guest house in the 1740s to its current status as a luxury hotel. Visitors learn about famous guests who have stayed at the hotel, including Amelia Earhart and Winston Churchill. You'll discover the hotel's unique architectural features and its role in Bethlehem's development as a tourist destination. The tour provides a glimpse into the glamour of early 20th-century travel and hospitality.
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Historic Hotel Bethlehem Tours
Bethlehem Historic District Homes Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of historic homes decorated for Christmas
Description:
The Bethlehem Historic District Homes Tour invites visitors to step inside some of the city's most beautiful and historically significant residences. These homes, many dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, are lavishly decorated for the holiday season. The tour showcases a variety of architectural styles, from colonial to Victorian. Visitors can admire period furnishings, original architectural details, and holiday decorations that reflect each home's unique character. You'll learn about the families who lived in these houses and their roles in Bethlehem's history. This self-guided tour offers a rare opportunity to explore private homes in one of America's best-preserved historic districts.
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Bethlehem Historic District Homes Tour