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Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Unveils 2024 Holiday Offerings
October 16th, 2024
The eight-week holiday season features winter art auctions, the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition, guided tours through the Christmas City, and more.
As the weather chills, thoughts of celebrations and family enter our thoughts. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) has the perfect holiday activities for visitors and the community who wish to experience the charm and fun Christmas City has to offer!
HBMS is excited to launch its holiday season, with three guided historic tours: the Christmas City Stroll Tour (begins Nov. 15); the Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour (begins Nov. 29); and the Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour (begins Nov. 30). Holiday offerings will be available through Jan. 5, 2025. Visitors to Christmas City, USA, will discover holiday traditions, including the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition and the 32 Annual Holiday Dinner & Art Auction.
The 32 Annual Holiday Dinner & Auction gets the Lehigh Valley holiday scene started on Dec. 7 at ArtsQuest, with an Art Preview Reception on Thursday, Nov. 21 at Luckenbach Mill for Benefactor ticket holders. The Holiday Dinner & Auction features dining, cocktails, and auctions, including original art, live music and much more. Featured artist Sandra Corpora’s “Winter’s Glow” painting will be the auction’s centerpiece.
The annual Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition will be displayed at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and the Single Sisters’ House from Nov. 15 until Jan. 5, 2025. With over 20 trees decorated by the Bethlehem Garden Club, this year’s Trees of Historic Bethlehem lets you experience cities from across the country without boarding a plane! While viewing the trees, complete a scavenger hunt for ornaments that highlight World Heritage Sites and National Historic Landmarks throughout the US. Trees Tours are self-guided. Upon arrival to the museum, visitors will receive a green wristband to identify their purchase and a pamphlet providing an overview highlighting each of the 20 trees. The pamphlet will also provide access to an online version of the tour that guests can access from their phone. We recommend that visitors allot at least 1 hour to view all of the trees across the sites.
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 begins on Friday, Nov. 15. through Dec. 22. The event is from Friday to Sunday during the first two weekends of its run, and starting Dec. 5, is open Thursdays, too. Christkindlmarkt’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Christmas City Combo is available for purchase until Dec. 22 for $31.50.
The Christmas City Stroll Tour is designed especially for the Christmas season. The tour focuses on cherished traditions: a candle-in-every-window, beeswax candles, 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 tour is running until Jan. 5, 2025.
The Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour explores the history and traditions of the city with tour guides in Colonial period attire. Get a glimpse back in 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 tour is running through Dec. 31.
The Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour is an adult-only experience that runs until Dec. 29. This holiday pub tour invites guests on a journey through the historic gems of Bethlehem, diving into the origins and meanings of the Moravian traditions, adding depth to the holiday experience. One complimentary tasting is included at the start of the tour at the 1810 Goundie House. Attendees have the option of purchasing additional drinks at the other tour stops. Participants must be at least 21 years old and show valid ID.
