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UncoveringPA.com: Exploring Christmas City USA: 7 Things to Do in Bethlehem During the Holiday Season
December 20th, 2018 | In The News
Written by Jim Cheney for Uncovering PA
On Christmas Eve 1741, a small group of Moravians and their benefactor, the German Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf, held a religious service to christen their new settlement. After observing the singing and atmosphere, Zinzendorf declared the new settlement to be known as Bethlehem.
The fact that Bethlehem is known Christmas City USA is only surprising in that the moniker wasn’t coined until 1937. Today, Bethlehem is one of the best places to experience the holiday season in Pennsylvania.
Having had a chance to experience the Christmas season in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, here are a few of my top suggestions for things to do during this festive time of year.
Christmas City Village
While Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt might be better known, the Christmas City Village is much more authentic. Held downtown, this German-inspired Christmas market is held at two different locations along Main Street on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the holiday season.
Browse this free-admission Christmas market for handmade gifts from a variety of great sellers. And even if you’ve visited once, head back again later in the season as new vendors are added throughout the event.
For more information, visit Downtown Bethlehem’s official website.
The Moravian Book Shop
While downtown Bethlehem is filled with many great shops, none are as historic as the Moravian Book Shop.
Established in 1745, it is known as the oldest continually-operating bookstore in the world. However, this shop is so much more than a bookstore. Inside, visitors can sample delicious beer, enjoy chocolates, and browse a great collection of holiday merchandise and Bethlehem souvenirs. That’s in addition to being one of Pennsylvania’s best independent bookstores.
For more information, visit the Moravian Book Shop’s website.
Christmas City Stroll with Historic Bethlehem
During the holiday season, Historic Bethlehem offers a variety of tours to help get you in the Christmas spirit. If you’re looking for a short, but in-depth overview of the city’s historic core, the Christmas City Stroll is a great choice.
This hour-long tour is offered at 3pm each afternoon from Friday through Sunday in Bethlehem, PA at Christmas. Costumed guides take visitors on a walk through the downtown area discussing the city’s Moravian roots and how it became known as Christmas City USA.
For more information, visit Historic Bethlehem’s website.
Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum
While the Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum might not be a holiday attraction per se, they have greatly extended hours during the holiday season making this a great place to visit while exploring the Christmas attractions in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The railroad is located in a 5,000-square-foot building and features a double-decked layout of three local train lines. Compared to some other train exhibits, the Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum focuses on recreating these rail lines in great detail, featuring many historic sites and buildings that are still standing throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Fegley’s Brew Works
Fegley’s Brew Works has been brewing delicious beer and crafting great food since they first opened in 1998 in downtown Bethlehem.
Today, the brewery (and its second location in Allentown) features delicious beers throughout the year. However, those wanting to taste the holiday season won’t want to miss Rude Elf’s Reserve (or its bourbon-barrel-aged cousin) which is only offered during the holiday season.
Find out more about Fegley’s on their website.
You can also check out even more great breweries in Bethlehem, PA during your visit.
Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo
Located about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Bethlehem, the Lehigh Valley Zoo comes to life at Christmas time with their Winter Light Spectacular. Featuring more than a million lights, visitors can walk through a variety of holiday-themed scenes throughout the zoo.
Characters including the Grinch, Elsa from Frozen, Woody from Toy Story, and even Santa can be found throughout the exhibit.
For more information on this great fundraiser for the zoo, check out our piece about the Winter Light Spectacular.
Another great option if you’re looking to stay warm in your car is Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway.
Note that other than a handful of reindeer and sheep, the zoo’s animals are not on display during the event.
Nighttime Stroll Through Downtown Bethlehem
While Bethlehem is beautiful during the day, it’s even more beautiful after dark during the holiday season. Lights decorate the lamp posts, trees, and storefronts in this area, creating a magical Christmas wonderland.
Don’t miss the candles in the windows of the historic Moravian buildings, the lit-up Moravian star in the church’s bell tower, the glimmering lights from the Hotel Bethlehem, and the ambiance of the downtown shops.
While it might be tempting to stay somewhere warm after dark, don’t miss the chance to really experience the beauty of Bethlehem, PA during Christmas.
Where to stay in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The holiday season is a popular time to visit Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Because of this, the historic Hotel Bethlehem in the center of town may be sold out.
If it is or if it’s a bit out of your budget, check out the Comfort Suites on the opposite shores of the Lehigh River. Located less than a mile from downtown Bethlehem, it’s a short drive or walk from the top attractions in the area.
I was recently invited to stay at this hotel and appreciated its cleanliness and comfort. Read more reviews on Trip Advisor or check current prices here.
There are also many great VRBOs in and around the city.
Looking for other things to do in Bethlehem, PA? Check out the National Museum of Industrial History or walk the Hoover-Mason Trestle. Other great area attractions include the Moravian Historical Society Museum and Martin Guitar Factory Tour (both in Nazareth) or the Mack Trucks Historical Museum and Allentown Art Museum.
