Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites

Catch a glimpse of the Trees of Historic Bethlehem, a time-honored tradition displaying over 28 trees across four historic sites. This year, each tree is decorated by members of the Bethlehem Garden Club to reference timeless games, including Checkers, Clue, and Scrabble.

Tours are offered from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM through the following dates:

November 18 - November 20

November 25 - November 27

December 1 - December 4

December 8 - December 11 

The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts will close at 3:30 on December 8 for a private event. 

The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem will close at 3:30 on December 10 for a private event. 

December 15 - December 23

December 26 - December 31

January 2, 2023

January 5, 2023 - January 8, 2023

Witness the beauty of Bethlehem's downtown National Historic Landmark District with a Christmas carriage ride.

Enjoy a holiday tradition for locals and guests alike. These cozy, serene horse-drawn carriage rides through beautiful downtown North Bethlehem are the perfect way to enjoy the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas City with your family and friends!

4-person horse-drawn carriage rides are privately reserved for up to 4 adults and 2 children on laps.

Tickets to carriage rides are non-refundable, and all dates and times are final.

Carriage Rides leave from the Central Moravian Church or the Kemerer Museum and run every 20 minutes between 3:00 and 9:00 PM. All carriages have a break from 6-6:20 PM. Check your receipt to confirm your pickup location.

Designed especially for the Christmas season, this tour focuses on cherished traditions: a candle-in-every-window, bees wax candles, the renowned Star of Bethlehem and Moravian Star, the community Putz and more set among Bethlehem's exquisite Victorian and colonial architecture and two National Historic Landmarks: the 1741 Gemeinhaus and the Bethlehem Waterworks.

Tours are offered at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, or 6:00 PM through the following dates:

November 18 - November 20

November 25 - December 23

December 5 - December 11

December 15 - December 23

December 26 - December 31

January 2, 2023 

January 5, 2023 - January 8, 2023

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 Christmas 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.

Admission is included with Trees of Historic Bethlehem ticket!

Event is offered from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM through the following dates:

November 18 - November 20

November 25 - November 28

December 1 - December 2

December 8 - December 11

December 15 - December 18

December 19 - December 23

December 26 - December 31

January 2, 2023

January 5, 2023 - January 8, 2023

Deemed "the best way to see Bethlehem," our motorcoach tour explores the history & traditions of Bethlehem. Sit back and experience Christmas City on a trip back in time with our certified guide in period dress. 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. 

Tour departs from the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018 at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 7:00 PM through the following dates:

November 18 - November 20

November 25 - November 27

December 1 - December 4

December 8 - December 11

December 15 - December 23

December 26 - December 30

LAA accepted 55 pieces, out of 65 entries, from 40 artists, for an inclusion rate of 85 percent.

Click here for the list of participants.

December Mill Hours:
11 am to 6 pm
Thursdays - Sundays
December 8th to 18th

11 am to 6 pm
December 20th to 23rd & December 27th to 30th

January Mill Hours:
January 5th to 8th
11 am to 6 pm

Starting January 15, 2023
1 pm to 4 pm
Saturdays & Sundays

Storytime with Santa has passed, but our museums still have kids crafts and Santa's mailbox for families who take the Trees of Historic Bethlehem tour.

FREE Event! 

The only one of its kind in the country! Visitors of the Historic Downtown Bethlehem will enjoy the annual one-of-a-kind tradition, featuring free entertainment and local businesses. Event is held at 501 Main Street.

Each night from December 1 - December 23 at 5:30 PM

Following the annual City of Bethlehem tree lighting, follow the sounds of jingling bells up to the Kemerer Museum and join in our wassailing merriment. Admire the dazzlingly decorated trees of Historic Bethlehem. This year, each ornament was carefully chosen by the Bethlehem Garden Club to personify the chosen decoration theme.

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.

Event runs from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM on 11/18/22