Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a historic city that was enthusiastically named by way of track on Christmas Eve in 1741. All through its existence, this Lehigh Valley city has lengthy been identified for Moravians and Christmas traditions.
We first needed to discover Bethlehem due to the Moravian connection it shares with Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
However as we’ve discovered since visiting this spot in Jap Pennsylvania, Bethlehem has its personal id, proudly incomes the “Christmas Metropolis” nickname for which it’s identified.
It’s definitely a four-season vacation spot, however the vacation season is the proper time to go to. That’s at the least what we’ve found whereas tasting vacation flavored beer, looking for uniquely designed Christmas timber, and exploring extra enjoyable issues to do throughout Christmas in Bethlehem!
This submit is a part of our collection on all of the superior places to visit in Pennsylvania. We initially created it on November 27, 2019.
Christmas in Bethlehem
Take a Christmas Metropolis Stroll
Take a guided Christmas City Stroll by way of Historic Bethlehem and study its previous from a period-dressed historian of the. They’ll share town’s Moravian beginnings, the life and instances of Moravians, and the city’s Christmas traditions.
For these unfamiliar with the Bethlehem space, this tour is arguably the most effective issues to do throughout Christmas.
Study Concerning the Timber of Historic Bethlehem
In the course of the Trees
of Historic Bethlehem Exhibit, 20-plus exquisitely adorned timber are
displayed throughout 4 historic websites all through city, bringing Christmas pleasure
and surprise to everybody!
Yearly, the Bethlehem Garden Club chooses a brand new theme to embellish their timber with.
For instance, 2019’s Couture Trees are impressed by the world-renowned leaders of trend, akin to Dior, Chanel, and Burberry.
Buy a multi-site museum pass and take a look at these timber on the 1810 Goundie Home, Kemerer Museum of Ornamental Arts, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and the Single Sisters’ Home.
Go to Christkindlmark
The Christkindlmarkt is well one of many prime vacation markets on the earth, bringing tons of of artisans and makers to heated tents in a setting back-dropped by the Hoover Mason Trestle.
After all, that is THE place to buy native and decide up Christmas presents for family members in Bethlehem. It’s also possible to meet St. Nick and seize some German ornaments alongside the best way.
To maintain issues much more festive, pattern scrumptious conventional German meals whereas sipping scorching boozy drinks as you stroll round.
Parking is free however restricted at this ticketed occasion. You possibly can catch the heated trolley exterior the Moravian Ebook Store each 20 minutes, so don’t have to fret about lengthy waits!
Particular person tickets might be bought online, however there’s additionally a mixture ticket for each the Timber of Bethlehem and Christkindlmarkt out there!
Discover a Good Ebook in a Historic Store
One thing concerning the odor of books simply jogs my memory of the
holidays and that’s a giant a part of why I like the Moravian Book Shop. This isn’t your typical bookstore, as you too can be taught
about in Moravian heritage and tradition whereas perusing.
Based in 1745, the Moravian Ebook Store is the oldest
constantly working bookstore on the earth. They carry all the pieces from new
titles to curated and well-known Moravian historical past books.
Pack all this collectively and you’ve got probably the most fascinating locations to browse in your family members through the holidays.
Hearken to the Bach Choir Carry out Handel’s Messiah
Based in 1898, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest of its sort within the US, and so they carry out to hundreds of individuals every year. Listening to the harmonies of their voices makes the Choir’s annual Christmas Live performance in Bethlehem is a rare occasion.
For the efficiency, they’ll combine Bach with well-known, conventional Christmas music from different composers. The Choir performs two concerts through the vacation season.
Drink Seasonal Beer at Fegley’s Brew Works
Fegley’s Brew Works first
opened in 1998, throughout an extremely tough time in Bethlehem’s financial
historical past. Fortunately, they survived and have been serving award-winning beer
proudly from day one.
Many people love a very good seasonal beer, and when you do, please attempt a Impolite Elf’s Reserve. We swear this Fegley’s creation tastes precisely like a gingerbread cookie!
Trombone Choir
Based in 1754, the Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir is the oldest musical group to nonetheless be performing as we speak. Longevity isn’t their solely declare to fame, as it’s mentioned that the Bethlehem Trombone Choir saved the town from attack by enjoying within the bell tower on Christmas 1755!
Whereas the Trombone Choir doesn’t have a set efficiency schedule, it’s not unusual to see them caroling down the streets through the holidays or ringing away within the bell tower! Preserve an eye fixed out and when you occur to identify them, you’ll earn some nice vacation luck!
Discover the Vacation Putz
A Putz, typically known as a crèche or nativity scene, is a standard Moravian ornament positioned in historic buildings all through Bethlehem through the Christmas rush. Small wood handcrafted miniatures are expertly positioned as an example numerous settings of the Nativity story.
Hopefully, you’ll get to see just a few of them and when you want
assist, observe the Putz
Trail. Areas embody the Kemerer
Museum, Moravian Museum, Single Sisters’ Home, and the 1810 Goundie Home that
we talked about had been included within the multi-site museum move.
Extra Putz path places not included within the move are the Central Moravian Church, Edgeboro Moravian Church, and East Hills Moravian Church.
Store on the Christmas Huts
In the event you’re nonetheless searching for the proper present and couldn’t
discover it on the Christkindlmarkt or the Moravian Ebook Store, then flick through
the festive and lovable Christmas
Huts on Main.
They’re adorned and stuffed with works from native artisans,
modeled within the model of the German Weihnachtsmarkt.
Be aware: The Christmas Huts are open in Bethlehem from Friday to Sunday through the vacation season.
Our Ideas and Yours, Too!
From its Moravian heritage to as we speak’s superbly adorned
and nonetheless festive city, it’s no surprise that Bethlehem continues to stay as much as
its “Christmas City” moniker. Fill your hearts with vacation cheer whereas
exploring this enjoyable slice of Jap Pennsylvania!
Go to this charming Lehigh Valley city and also you’ll shortly need to make it a yearly custom for your self and the entire household.
Have you ever ever skilled a Christmas season go to to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania? What did you consider it? Is there something you assume we should always try subsequent time?
Additionally, when you’ve by no means been earlier than, what would you like to do first out of the enjoyable issues that we talked about? Tell us within the feedback part whereas we plan our subsequent journey up there!
Disclosure Be aware
Particular due to Uncover Lehigh Valley for internet hosting us throughout our keep. All opinions inside this text are our personal.
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