Christmas Season Activities & Tours
Join us for exciting new Christmas season activities that will become your new holiday tradition!
Christmas season starts on November 19, 2021!
Christmas Activities & Tours
Our sites will be closed on the following days:
November 25, Thanksgiving Day; December 24, Christmas Eve; December 25, Christmas Day;
December 31, New Years Eve; and January 1, New Years Day.
Trees of Historic Bethlehem
Ticket Prices:
- Multi-Site Pass: $25
- One Site Pass: $12
- Children: $9
- Sun Inn Combo: $25 - Includes Christmas City Ornament and a drink. Choice of Cherry Hot Chocolate, Martha's Lemonade, or Honey Peach Tea. Tour must be purchased separately.
*Spirits or Gift Card are sold by Christmas City Spirits and can be used to purchase other food, retail items, and spirits of equal value.*
Your Sun Inn combo pass will have a voucher/gift card to redeem. We are happy to partner with the Tavern at the Sun Inn, a local historical building that was built in 1758 to provide refreshments for your tour.
Christmas City Combo Ticket
Save when you bundle your Christkindlmarkt admission with the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour!
November 19, 2021 - January 9, 2022
Thursday - Sunday
11 am - 6 pm
With 27 trees on display across five historic sites, the Trees of Historic Bethlehem display is a time-honored tradition in Bethlehem. This year each tree is decorated by members of the Bethlehem Garden Club to reference a classic holiday movie including favorites such as It's a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, and A Christmas Carol.
Trees of Christmas' Past
Bethlehem By Night MotorCoach Tour
Ticket Prices:
- Adults: $20
- Children: $15
- Sun Inn Combo: $25 - Includes 2 small bottles of Cherry Bounce and Boilo and a Christmas City Spirits rocks glass. Tour must be purchased separately.
*Spirits or Gift Card are sold by Christmas City Spirits and can be used to purchase other food, retail items, and spirits of equal value.*
ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND ALL DATES ARE FINAL.
Your Sun Inn combo pass will have a voucher/gift card to redeem. We are happy to partner with Christmas City Spirits who make small batches keeping control of the artistic process. Their products are a story of history and location, not volume bringing authentic historical distillations, reflections of the past, and old family recipes.
Visitor Center, 505 Main Street
November: Friday - Sunday beginning November 19
December: Thursday - Sunday
Week of Christmas: Tours will be offered Monday - Thursday, December 20 - 23, Sunday, December 26, and Thursday, December 30.
5 pm, 6 pm, and 7 pm
Deemed "the best way to see Bethlehem," this motorcoach tour explores the history & traditions of Bethlehem with guides in period dress. Sit back and experience the Christmas City on a trip back in time with our certified costumed guide. This tour includes a visit to the famous star atop South Mountain, a look at early and current local holiday traditions, and access to historic highlights in north and south Bethlehem.
The History Behind the Spirits in The Sun Inn Combo Pass
Cherry Bounce: Everyone knows the story of “George Washington and the Cherry Tree”, ” I cannot tell a lie….” and so forth. Well, that story was actually completely made up by his first biographer, but, this story is true. Martha Washington made Cherry Bounce for George and it was a favorite of his. It’s true it’s in her cookbook and there’s documentation on him taking on many trips away from Mt. Vernon where there was in fact a cherry orchard. February is also his birthday month, the 15th to be exact.
Boilo: The holiday favorite is a treasured variation of Krupnik, a Lithuanian fall/winter beverage. It’s traditionally served warm or cold but either way it will warm you up on a cold winter day. Head distiller, Michael Dombrosky is a Skook (Schyulkill County) native. His distilling roots in the region go back to the late 1800s when his great-grandmother was producing her own spirits and selling them to coal miners. His boilo recipe is real as they come. All natural citrus and spices are used right down to the house produced ginger ale and local honey. They are heated slowly in small batches just like it was made at home.
Christmas City Stroll
Ticket Prices:
- Adults: $15
- Children: $9
- Sun Inn Combo: $25 - Includes Christmas City Ornament and a drink. Choice of Cherry Hot Chocolate, Martha's Lemonade, or Honey Peach Tea. Tour must be purchased separately.
*Spirits or Gift Card are sold by Christmas City Spirits and can be used to purchase other food, retail items, and spirits of equal value.*
ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND ALL DATES ARE FINAL.
Your Sun Inn combo pass will have a voucher/gift card to redeem. We are happy to partner with the Tavern at the Sun Inn, a local historical building that was built in 1758 to provide refreshments for your tour.
505 Main Street
November: Friday - Sunday beginning Friday, November 19
December: Thursday - Sunday from December 2 - December 19; and Wednesday, December 22, Thursday December 23, and Sunday, December 26.
1 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm (Not all times offered all days. Please check the website for tour times on a specific day.)
Take a walk through beautiful downtown Historic Bethlehem with our certified guide in period dress. Discover the story of Bethlehem's unique beginning in 1741, the tales of a candle-in-every-window, and the renowned Bethlehem Star.
If you have a great experience on the Christmas City Stroll tour, our tour docents appreciate tips!
Holiday House Tour
The Bethlehem Historic District Association’s Holiday House Tour returns to our fair city for the 10th time on December 11th from 10 am-4 pm. Ten unique Historic District homes, as well as other distinctive sites within the Historic District, will be featured.
If you are new to our special community, this event is the BHDA's largest fundraiser. Proceeds have provided the BHDA with the ability to support the BHDA’s mission to preserve and restore original architectural features and landscapes within our community.
This year your $35 ticket will not only support the BHDA, but they will also help fund a grant program for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites' Shutter Restoration Program and their efforts at obtaining World Heritage Site status.
Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides
Ticket Prices:
- $25 per person
ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND ALL DATES ARE FINAL.
Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church Street
December 11, 18 & 19
Trolleys run on the half hour between 5 and 9 pm
Journey through Bethlehem's beautiful downtown and enjoy the lights, sights, and sounds of Church Street, Main Street, and Market Street on a cozy horse-drawn trolley!
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Ticket Prices:
- $75 per carriage - each private carriage holds up to (4) adults and (2) children on laps. Duration 20 minutes.
- Sun Inn Combo: $25 - Includes 2 small gift bottles of Cherry Bounce and Boilo and a Christmas City Spirits rocks glass. Tour must be purchased separately.
*Spirits or Gift Card are sold by Christmas City Spirits and can be used to purchase other food, retail items, and spirits of equal value.*
ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND ALL DATES ARE FINAL.
Your Sun Inn combo pass will have a voucher/gift card to redeem. We are happy to partner with Christmas City Spirits who make small batches keeping control of the artistic process. Their products are a story of history and location, not volume bringing authentic historical distillations, reflections of the past, and old family recipes.
Main Street in front of Central Moravian Church
November: Friday - Sunday beginning November 19
December: Thursday - Sunday from December 2 - December 19; and Wednesday, December 22, Thursday, December 23, and Sunday - Friday, December 26 - 31
Note: we will not be offering carriage rides on Saturday, December 4.
Carriages run every 20 minutes between 3 and 9 pm
These cozy, serene horse-drawn carriage rides through Bethlehem's beautiful downtown are the perfect way to enjoy the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas City with your family and friends.
The History Behind the Spirits in The Sun Inn Combo Pass
Cherry Bounce: Everyone knows the story of “George Washington and the Cherry Tree”, ” I cannot tell a lie….” and so forth. Well, that story was actually completely made up by his first biographer, but, this story is true. Martha Washington made Cherry Bounce for George and it was a favorite of his. It’s true it’s in her cookbook and there’s documentation on him taking on many trips away from Mt. Vernon where there was in fact a cherry orchard. February is also his birthday month, the 15th to be exact.
Boilo: The holiday favorite is a treasured variation of Krupnik, a Lithuanian fall/winter beverage. It’s traditionally served warm or cold but either way it will warm you up on a cold winter day. Head distiller, Michael Dombrosky is a Skook (Schyulkill County) native. His distilling roots in the region go back to the late 1800s when his great-grandmother was producing her own spirits and selling them to coal miners. His boilo recipe is real as they come. All natural citrus and spices are used right down to the house produced ginger ale and local honey. They are heated slowly in small batches just like it was made at home.
Christmas in the Quarter
We are now accepting applications for Crafter Vendors for Christmas in the Quarter. Download the PDF form and return to Tavia Minnich, Director of Outreach & Visitor Services at
by December 10. The committee will be looking for participants who have unique and high-quality products. Reserve your spot early!
Colonial Industrial Quarter, 459 Old York Road
December 11-12 and 18-19
3 - 9 pm
The Historic Colonial Industrial Quarter is the perfect setting for holiday festivities. Enjoy that classic Christmas feel with lights lining the historic buildings and fun for the whole family. Activities include pop-up shopping, Walking Tours, Christmas kids zone, a preview of Trees of Historic Bethlehem, a winter art exhibition from the Lehigh Art Alliance, Colonial Blacksmith demonstrations, and live music. Whether you're looking for a festive spot to lounge and enjoy music with a cup of cocoa, or you're still on the hunt for the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift, you'll find your holiday spirit here!
Historic Bethlehem Live Advent Calendar
501 Main Street
December 1-23 at 5:30 pm
The only one of its kind in the country! Visitors of the Historic Downtown Bethlehem will enjoy the annual one-of-a-kind tradition.
Holiday Putz Trail
Ticket Prices - Included in your Trees of Historic Bethlehem ticket!:
- Multi-Site Pass: $25
- One Site Pass: $12
- Children: $9
November 19, 2021 - January 9, 2022
Thursday - Sunday
11 am - 6 pm
We are excited to present our Holiday Putz Trail, a collection of displays at two of our historic sites. A Putz is a traditional Moravian decoration used around Christmas time. The word comes from the German term, which means “to decorate” or “to embellish.” These miniature replicas depict various settings of the Nativity story through the use of ornate, hand-crafted figurines. Each set may feature animals, buildings, and amazing details to recreate the holiest of scenes. This year, the Historic Bethlehem Putz displays feature hand-crafted models of the buildings that make up the Moravian Landmark District.
Wassail Party
427 N. New Street
November 19, 2021
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Immediately following the City of Bethlehem tree lighting, follow the jingling bells rung by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ Docents on Main up New Street to the Kemerer Museum and join in the wassailing merriment. Admire the dazzlingly decorated trees of Historic Bethlehem, each ornament carefully chosen by the Bethlehem Garden Club to personify this year’s chosen decoration theme.
At 5:30 p.m., see the lighting of the Trees of Historic Bethlehem, officially kicking off the exhibit. Hear some of Bethlehem’s storied past from costumed docents stationed throughout the Kemerer Museum, including Annie Kemerer, founder of the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. Lend an ear to festive holiday tunes to get in the holiday spirit. Light refreshments will be offered at this family-friendly event.
Site Locations & Hours
Visitor Center & Museum Store
505 Main Street
November:
- Closed Monday
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am - 5 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
December:
- Monday-Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
January:
- Closed Monday
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am - 5 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm
Learn more about our offerings: Historic Bethlehem Tours
1810 Goundie House
501 Main Street
November:
- Closed Monday
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am - 5 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
December:
- Monday-Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
January:
- Closed Monday
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am - 5 pm
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm
Shop the beautiful home decor and accessories from Marche Maison Vintage Market at the 1810 Goundie House market!
Moravian Museum
of Bethlehem
66 W. Church Street
November:
- Friday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
December:
- Thursday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/20-12/23: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/27-12/31: 11 am - 6 pm
January:
- Thursday-Sunday, 11 am - 6 pm
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
427 N. New Street
November:
- Friday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
December:
- Thursday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/20-12/23: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/27-12/31: 11 am - 6 pm
January:
- Thursday-Sunday, 11 am - 6 pm
1869 Luckenbach Mill
459 Old York Road
November:
- Friday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
December:
- Thursday-Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/20-12/23: 11 am - 6 pm
- 12/27-12/31: 11 am - 6 pm
January:
- Thursday-Sunday, 11 am - 6 pm
1750 Smithy
Main Street, Adjacent to Historic Hotel Bethlehem
November:
- Friday-Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
December:
- Thursday-Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
- 12/20-12/23: 11 am - 5 pm
Learn all about colonial-era smithing in Blacksmithing 101.
To register, call 1-800-360-TOUR.
The Smithy and the Blacksmith Program are being funded in whole or in part with funding received through the County of Northampton's Hotel Tax Program.
Group Tours
Appointment Tours:
Tours may be scheduled by appointment outside of regular operating hours. 24 hours notice is requested for all appointments. Minimum charge of $36 to schedule an appointment tour for non-members. Member appointments are free. Please call 1-800-360-TOUR with questions or to schedule.
