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Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Announces December 2024 Events
November 26th, 2024
Events include the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour, Christmas City Stroll Tour, Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour and Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) is excited to present its December 2024 offerings, including the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour, Christmas City Stroll Tour, Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour, Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour and more. Gear up for the holiday season by learning about the rich history of Bethlehem.
“The holiday season is the best time to experience all the Christmas City has to offer,” said LoriAnn Wukitsch, HBMS’s president and CEO. “We are excited to offer a full slate of holiday activities that invite our community and visitors to experience the rich history and traditions that make Bethlehem so unforgettable for the first time since the Moravian Church Settlements—Bethlehem World Heritage Site inscription. We look forward to sharing the magic of the season while honoring the legacy of the Moravian community in a way that is both festive and meaningful.”
HBMS offers four unique walking tours perfect for the holiday season, including the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour, Christmas City Stroll Tour, the Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour, and the Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour.
The annual Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition spans three locations including the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and the Single Sisters’ House throughout the month of December until Jan. 4, 2025. Decorated by the Bethlehem Garden Club, this year’s 20 trees depict “Christmas in the City” with each tree reflecting a unique destination without the need to board a plane! Trees reflect cities from across the country without boarding a plane! Journey across the three historic sites where 20 trees display city-themed decorations. Families with kids of all ages can participate in a scavenger hunt of World Heritage Sites and National Historic Landmark decorations. Full museum tours will be offered on the hour at the Kemerer Museum and Moravian Museum. Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tours are self-guided.
The Christmas City Stroll Tour, which runs until Jan. 4, 2025, focuses on cherished traditions: a candle-in-every-window, the bright light of a beeswax candle flame, the renowned Star of Bethlehem and Moravian Star, the community Putz and more set among Bethlehem’s exquisite Victorian and colonial architecture. It also features two National Historic Landmarks, which are also part of the Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem World Heritage Site: the 1741 Gemeinhaus and 1762 Waterworks.
The Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour runs until Dec. 29 and explores the history and traditions of the city with tour guides wearing Colonial period attire. Travel through time and experience Christmas City like never before. Don’t miss out on visiting the famous star atop South Mountain and the historic highlights of North and South Bethlehem.
The Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour, which runs until Dec. 29, is an adults-only experience. This holiday pub tour toasts to the season and invites guests on a journey through the historic gems of Bethlehem, diving into the origins and meanings of Moravian traditions and adding a special “spirit” to the holiday experience. One complimentary tasting is included at the start of the tour at the 1810 Goundie House. Attendees may purchase additional drinks at the other tour stops. Participants must be at least 21 years old and show valid ID.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides run from Dec. 8 to Dec. 27. Riders enjoy a 30-minute winter wagon ride exploring the rich history and architecture of Downtown Bethlehem this season. Tickets are non-refundable, and all dates and times are final. Wagons run every 30 minutes, rain or shine, and load at the corner of Church and Main Streets in front of Central Moravian Church. Tickets are per seat; the wagon can fit 13 passengers. Please note, this is not a private ride. Children under two years old sitting on an adult’s lap ride free and do not take a passenger seat. Guests two years of age and older require a seat.
HBMS offers a Christmas City Combo ticket special, which allows entry into the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition across three sites and one entry to Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks, which runs through Dec. 22. Check online for days and hours. The Christmas City Combo is available for purchase until Dec. 22 for $31.50.
The Annual Holiday Dinner & Auction is on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The benefactors’ reception starts at 5:30 p.m., and the guest reception starts at 6:30 p.m. Honorees include Individual Honoree Charlene Donchez Mowers, Business Honoree Carol. C. Dorey Real Estate, Inc., and Featured Artist Sandra Corpora. The event includes festive dining and cocktails, live music, and auctions featuring original art and unique items in a white wonderland created by Scott Rothenberger’s PLACE. The auction’s centerpiece is Corpora’s oil painting, “Winter’s Glow,” which masterfully captures the serene and historic essence of the Moravian settlement in Bethlehem. Profits from the event support the organization’s mission of preserving and interpreting the important history of our community over three centuries.
The BHDA Holiday House Tour is on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s tour features ten noteworthy Historic District homes, as well as other distinctive sites within the Historic District. This is a self-guided tour, rain or shine, which can be visited in any preferred order. Visitors check-in for the tour and pick up tour books and maps at 424 Center Street. Tickets this year support not only the BHDA, but also HBMS and the Bethlehem Area Public Library. For questions on the BHDA Holiday House Tour, email housetour@bhda.org.
The Central Moravian Putz runs until Dec. 31 at the Christian Education Building, 40 W. Church Street. Since 1937, Central Moravian Church has offered the community putz for the City of Bethlehem. In this uniquely Moravian tradition, the Putz retells the story of Christ’s birth with miniature figures set into elaborate scenes with narration and music, while tiny lights illuminate each scene. The figures, many of them antiques of German origin, are nestled amidst live moss, driftwood and rocks. Before Christmas, hours are Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. After Christmas, hours are daily from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Interested visitors can book custom or group tours on dates not on the calendar through HBMS’s website at www.historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/group-tours.
