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Christmas City, USA
“Bethlehem did not create Christmas, Christmas created Bethlehem.”
– Vernon Melhado, President of the 1937 Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce
On Christmas Eve 1741, in a stable, while a small group of Moravians were singing a hymn with the stanza “Not Jerusalem, Lowly Bethlehem” Count Nicolaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf christened this little town “Bethlehem”. Since that time Christmas in Bethlehem has been central to the city’s identity. From the first documented decorated Christmas tree in America to the efforts of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce to get Bethlehem nicknamed “Christmas City USA” in 1937, to the current time when both sides of the river boast Christmas markets filled with artisan craft, retail and food vendors, Bethlehem is rife with one Christmas celebration after another.
Christmas City USA
These days it takes a village to bring Christmas to Bethlehem’s residents and visitors. The following organizations work year-round to make sure your Christmas visit is enjoyable.
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Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem
Christkindlmarkt is a one-of-a-kind family event that brings the spirit of Bethlehem alive with the season. Adjacent to Bethlehem’s stunning Blast Furnaces on the Steel Stack Campus, this Christmas market was twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel Leisure, this holiday event features 150 of the nation’s finest artisans, live Christmas music and jolly, old St. Nick, ice carving and glassblowing demonstrations, Käthe Wohlfarht, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany and breakfast with St. Nicholas (additional ticket required). Christkindlmarkt 2018 season begins on Friday, November 16th and runs weekends until December 23rd.
Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem
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Christmas City Village
Christmas City Village is Bethlehem’s version of a German "Weihnachtsmarkt" and nestled in the beautiful Moravian Historic District. With charming wooden huts, dressed for the holidays and filled with unique holiday gift ideas, this event is free and open to the public.
Christmas City Village
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Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites
Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites have Christmas-themed walking tours, bus tours and carriage rides to give visitors a historic experience. The costumed guides will lead the way to their museums that are decorated as they would have been when the Moravians first walked through these streets in the 17 and 1800’s.
Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites
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Historic Moravian Shopping District
Postcard pretty, the Historic Moravian Shopping District is the ideal Christmas atmosphere, whether you want to stroll through the quaint shops or eat in the many terrific restaurants. Doors are festively decorated, beautiful window displays beckon and there are live performances and events happening every day throughout the Christmas Season.
Historic Moravian Shopping District
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SouthSide Arts District
SouthSide Arts District has it all going during the Christmas Season. Lively musical performances, beautifully decorated shop windows, restaurants and more!
SouthSide Arts District
For a calendar of Christmas events in Bethlehem
Visit Bethlehem City
On Christmas Eve 1741, in a stable, while a small group of Moravians were singing a hymn with the stanza “Not Jerusalem, Lowly Bethlehem” Count Nicolaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf christened this little town “Bethlehem”. Since that time, Christmas in Bethlehem has been central to the city’s identity.
From the first documented decorated Christmas tree in America to the efforts of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce to get Bethlehem nicknamed “Christmas City USA” in 1937, to the current time when both sides of the river boast Christmas markets filled with artisan craft, retail and food vendors, Bethlehem is rife with one Christmas celebration after another.
Bethlehem as “Christmas City USA”
In 1937, The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce started a nationwide letter writing effort to 2,500 Chambers of Commerce asking each of them to notify their local newspapers of the campaign to make Bethlehem, Pennsylvania “the Christmas City”. It was suggested that people throughout the country send their Christmas cards to Bethlehem to receive the “Christmas City” cancellation. Most of the Chambers participated and more than 185,000 pieces of mail inundated the Bethlehem Post Office.
The “Citizens” Form a Committee
In the 1960’s the Citizens Christmas City Committee (of the Chamber of Commerce) was formed to help dignify the look of Christmas in the City of Bethlehem while at the same time absorbing a fair share of the costs of bringing Christmas to the public. The Committee continues to raise over $15,000 every year to purchase over 800 trees that are lit during the Christmas season. Sparkling white lights adorn those trees in the Historic Moravian District and beautiful, LED colored lights have been placed in the trees in the SouthSide Arts District. For more about the Citizens Christmas City Committee and how you can help please go to www.lightupbethlehem.org
Ride the free Christmas City Trolley
Ride the Free Christmas City Trolley to experience all of Bethlehem’s holiday events and attractions.
The Christmas City Trolley Schedule: Nov.16- Dec. 23
- First trolley runs Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon – 6 p.m.
- A second trolley runs Saturday only, noon – 6 p.m.
Trolley stops include:
- Walnut Street Parking Garage
- Main Street/Christmas City Village (stops at Sun Inn and Moravian Book Shop)
- Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem and SteelStacks
- South New Street Parking Garage (Mechanic and New Streets)
Sponsored by Historic Hotel Bethlehem and ArtsQuest
