When it comes to celebrating the season, what are your #LehighValleyTraditions? We've rounded up the quintessential things to do and places to go that make December a month to remember. Peruse our list to see if we share the same tried-and-true traditions, or use it as a guide to discover a new one or two. Ready? Let's go!
Christmas in Bethlehem
It's not called “The Christmas City” for nothing. Bask in the twinkling lights of Main Street from a horse-drawn carriage ride (how romantic), or learn about our founders, the Moravians, with walking tours and nightly bus tours led by costumed guides. The 1810 Goundie House Visitor's Center will be your hub for everything to do downtown—purchase tickets to tours and activities, and pick up a treat at the Live Advent Calendar (occurring daily at 5:30 p.m.).
Special Exhibits:
“Gilded: Objects of Luxury” at the Kemerer Museum and “Bethlehem's Christmas, 1741” an exhibit at the Gemeinhaus dedicated to the first Christmas in Bethlehem.
Editor's Tip: Don't forget to stop in to the Moravian Book Shop to pick up your glass gherkin ornament to hide in the tree!
Fun Fact: Bethlehem became known as “The Christmas City” in 1937, after a nationwide publicity campaign by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce.
Christmas in Nazareth
This tiny town pulls out all the stops on December 9. Highlights are too many to list but include: tours of the oldest Moravian structure in North America, a German-style market, a Moravian putz, choral performances, beeswax candle-making demos, live ice sculpting and town-wide trolley service.
Noon–4 p.m.
Editor's Tip: Make time for a trip to the 1740/1743 Whitefield House Museum and walking tour of Nazareth led by costumed guides.
Fun Fact: Nativity displays known as putzes (derived from the German word for “putzen,” which means “to decorate”) originally started in churches to explain the Bible's story to those who could not read.
A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas
Historic Troxell-Steckel Farm Museum
Travel back to the 1800s to see how a typical Pennsylvania Dutch family prepared for the arrival of Belsnickel (aka St. Nicholas) at the Historic Troxell-Steckel Farm Museum. Discover the traditions of the season, including folk stories, tree decorating, baking and holiday games. If you're on the nice list, Belsnickel will even give you treats.
4229 Reliance St., Egypt
Dec. 2, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (last tour at 3 p.m.)
Hellertown Holiday Happenings
The Hellertown Historical Society gives us more than one reason to make a trip to the Historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill.
Annual Holiday Open House (Tavern Room): Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Train Display (Miller House, lower level): Dec. 3–17, 1–4 p.m.
Christmas Shopping at the Mill with Santa Visit (Tavern Room): Dec. 10, Noon–4 p.m.
Holiday Train Display
America on Wheels
Model train enthusiasts of all ages love the holiday train display that winds its way around the America on Wheels museum galleries. Trains run Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Now through December 30!
Editor's Tip: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to be placed on the truck to donate to for children in need.
