Extended Weekend Getaways By Robin O’Neal Smith
Associate Editor
Known far and wide as “The Christmas City,” Bethlehem earns this title with a heritage that stretches back to Christmas Eve of 1741, when Moravian missionaries settled along the Lehigh River and named the community after the biblical town of Bethlehem. Nearly three centuries later, the city continues to honor its origins with celebrations that blend Old World charm, historic preservation, and a modern-day warmth that makes every visitor feel like part of the story.
December is when Bethlehem truly shines. The downtown streets glow beneath thousands of warm white lights, creating a setting that feels straight out of a classic Christmas painting. Historic Moravian buildings, beautifully preserved and meticulously decorated, provide a peaceful backdrop for seasonal strolls. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop along the streets, while the distant sound of holiday music drifts from shop doors and public squares. Visitors often pause at the iconic Bethlehem Star atop South Mountain, a 91-foot symbol first lit in 1937 that still casts its soft light across the entire city.
A visit to the Christkindlmarkt is essential during the season. This beloved market, inspired by Europe’s traditional holiday bazaars, features aisles of artisans offering handmade ornaments, glasswork, jewelry, and seasonal treats. The aroma of warm strudel and cinnamon fills the air as shoppers explore stalls and watch skilled craftsmen demonstrate their work. Music performances, festive food, and cheerful entertainers make the experience as joyful as it is memorable.
Bethlehem’s Historic Moravian District, recognized as a National Historic Landmark, invites visitors to step back into the city’s early days. Guided Christmas tours explore centuries-old stone structures, candlelit interiors, and stories of how the Moravians shaped the community’s unique traditions. Many guests choose to walk the same narrow streets traveled by missionaries hundreds of years ago, moving between the Single Sisters’ House, the 1741 Gemeinhaus, and the Moravian Book Shop—founded in 1745 and believed to be the oldest continually operating bookstore in the world.
Families also enjoy a ride on Bethlehem’s charming holiday trolleys, which travel through the city’s most decorated neighborhoods. The city’s Northside and Southside each offer their own flavor of holiday cheer, with boutiques, galleries, and cafés joining in the seasonal festivities. Hot chocolate, roasted nuts, gingerbread, and other holiday favorites can be found at local bakeries that have perfected their recipes over generations.
No holiday trip is complete without an evening spent at SteelStacks, the dramatic arts and cultural campus built around Bethlehem’s iconic former steel mills. The soaring blast furnaces, illuminated with dazzling color during the holidays, create a backdrop like no other. Seasonal concerts, Christmas movies, artisan markets, and outdoor gatherings transform the industrial site into a lively hub of holiday magic that honors the city’s past while celebrating its bright future.
Whether you’re wandering under the glow of the Bethlehem Star, exploring the Christkindlmarkt with a warm mug in hand, or stepping inside an 18th-century Moravian building lit by soft candlelight, Bethlehem offers a holiday experience unlike anywhere else in the country. Its combination of history, tradition, and heartfelt celebration makes it the perfect destination for an extended weekend getaway.
Moravian Christmas Traditions
A Timeless Legacy in Bethlehem
Bethlehem’s holiday charm is rooted in the customs of the Moravian settlers who arrived in 1741 and shaped the community with traditions that continue to influence the city’s celebrations today. Their Christmas season was known for simplicity, symbolism, and music, creating an atmosphere of reverence that remains woven into the city’s identity.
One of the most cherished traditions is the Moravian Christmas candle, a white beeswax candle with a red paper frill at the base. In early Moravian communities, children received these candles during Christmas lovefeasts, a special season service centered around fellowship, music, and gratitude. Today, the glow of Moravian candles continues to illuminate homes, windows, and churches throughout Bethlehem, becoming a signature sign of the season.
The Moravian Star is another beloved symbol. Originally created as a geometry lesson in 19th-century Moravian schools, the multi-pointed star evolved into a Christmas decoration representing hope and guidance. In Bethlehem, the star appears everywhere during the holidays—on porches, in shop windows, and high on South Mountain where the famed Bethlehem Star lights the night sky. Its warm glow is a reminder of the settlers’ spiritual heritage and their dedication to welcoming light into the world.
Music has always been central to Moravian celebrations. Brass choirs, string ensembles, and vocal groups played a prominent role in their worship, and that tradition continues today through concerts, outdoor performances, and the city’s well-known trombone choirs. The gentle harmonies echoing through Bethlehem during December are a direct link to those early musicians who viewed music as an expression of faith and community.
Even the city’s understated holiday décor reflects Moravian values. Instead of bright, multicolored lights, the traditional displays feature warm white candles, evergreen greens, and simple but meaningful touches. The effect is both elegant and deeply peaceful—an homage to the traditions that helped Bethlehem earn its title as the Christmas City.
These customs, lovingly preserved and passed down, add depth and authenticity to every holiday season in Bethlehem. They are more than just history; they are living traditions that continue to welcome visitors with the same warmth and wonder the Moravians celebrated nearly three centuries ago.
For more information, please visit DiscoverLehighValley.com.
