It’s not marketing hype or hyperbole: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is The Christmas City. While it’s not the birthplace of Jesus, it was founded on December 24, 1741, by Moravian settlers who had arrived from Germany; since then, it’s been inextricably linked to Christmas. In 1747, it was the first U.S. city to feature a decorated Christmas tree and in 1937, it adopted the nickname Christmas City USA. Around that same time, a giant star decoration was installed on South Mountain as an homage to the Biblical guide of the Magi, and it has become a beloved landmark. Just as iconic are the warmly lit Moravian stars you’ll see atop many doorways, a three-dimensional design that dates back to 1850; it’s also called the Advent Star or the Herrnhut Star, a reference to the German city where they were once exclusively produced.
This year, with the recent release of the independent film Saint Nick of Bethlehem, the city’s association with Christmas is especially timely. The poignant movie, directed by Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck and set in the city, is based on the true story of a man who lost his son, became a Santa of sorts, and reunited with his love.
As a native to the area (I grew up in Nazareth, and yes, it’s next to Bethlehem), I return several times a year to see friends and family — including during the holiday season. For years, our Christmas Eve tradition is to meet up with friends at a traditional Moravian service, listen to Christmas music while driving around looking at houses decorated with candles and Moravian star pendants, sip cocktails at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem and dine at one of the restaurants downtown. Bethlehem is less than four hours from Northern Virginia — why not make your own holiday memories in this unique destination?
Stay (or Dine) at an Iconic Hotel
In 1741, Moravian missionaries built the House of Bethlehem on the site of the current Historic Hotel Bethlehem, which opened in 1922. The anchor point on Main Street, its red sign is visible from all over downtown; it’s also gloriously decorated for the holidays. The hotel makes for a perfect home base for a weekend getaway, but even if you aren’t staying, it’s still worth a visit. Order a round of cocktails in The Tap Room, snap some photos in front of the massive Christmas tree in the lobby, then grab a table on the mezzanine level to marvel at the garland, trees, and a nativity scene (which the Moravians call a “putz”.) For a memorable dinner on Christmas Eve or another night, dine at 1741 on the Terrace, which has floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows and a tile floor adorned with the Christmas star; the fine dining restaurant specializes in dishes like rosemary and mustard lamb chops, dry-aged ribeye steak, and butter-poached lobster rolls.
Stroll Down Main Street
The main downtown thoroughfare is decorated so prettily this time of year, with old-fashioned street lamps, white string lights strewn in tree branches, bow-topped wreaths, and evergreen boughs adorning doors and lit candles in every single window. It’s also a great place to shop for Christmas presents. Founded in 1745, the Moravian Book Shop is the oldest bookstore in the U.S. and sells a wide range of titles as well as Bethlehem-curated items and souvenirs, including handmade beeswax candles and the ubiquitous Moravian stars in different materials and sizes. Donegal Square offers authentic Celtic and Irish attire, ceramics, glassware, and jewelry, including the Bethlehem Star collection of pendants and earrings that’s a collaboration between proprietor Neville Gardner and ShanOne Jewelry of Ireland. If you’re shopping for a foodie, pick up a few infused bottles at Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar or nostalgic confections at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop.
Attend a Moravian Advent or Christmas Service
In July 2024, the Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem became the 26th UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States. This religion is a Protestant denomination, with music playing a central role. Paramount to Moravians’ worship, especially around the holidays, is the Lovefeast, a tradition that began in 1727 in Herrnhut, Germany. It’s truly a special experience and is open to all, with Christmas carols, a sermon or conversation, and a simple meal served — generally juice or “fixed coffee” with milk and sugar, and a piece of sugar cake, a cookie, or a bun. The service ends with the entire congregation lighting handmade beeswax candles decorated with red paper frills. Seats at Central Moravian Church downtown can be difficult to get, especially on Christmas Eve, but there are other options in the area including East Hills Moravian Church, West Side Moravian Church, and College Hill Moravian Church.
Go to a Christmas Market
Not surprisingly, Bethlehem’s German heritage has inspired not one but two European-style Christmas markets. Now in its 32nd year, Christkindlmarkt is held Thursday through Sunday during the season at SteelStacks, the arts and entertainment complex on the repurposed site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant. The annual ticketed event features artisans and craftspeople selling handmade items and gifts like Christmas ornaments, fine art photos, holiday decor, and collectibles. You can watch ice sculptors and glass blowers at work, all while enjoying traditional fare like strudel, bratwurst, Christmas cookies, mulled wine, and craft beer. Kids can make holiday crafts at the Crayola Creativity Station, and you can also go ice skating on a rink in the shadow of the imposing steel plant, a 20th-century industrial powerhouse. Downtown, Christmas City Village and Christmas Hut on Main features holiday-themed wooden huts displaying retail items and gifts; this free event is open Friday through Sunday.
Watch a Live Advent Calendar
The only event like it in the country, this unique attraction is what you’d get if you crossed a living nativity scene with your chocolate-filled Christmas countdown calendar. Each night at 5:30 p.m. starting on December 1, visitors flock to 1810 Goundie House for a 10- to 15-minute presentation. Someone is selected from the crowd — which can top out at 300 people each evening — to knock on the door, after which a special guest from a local business or organization distributes treats and goodies to everyone. (The event is sponsored by merchants of the Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA) in conjunction with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.)
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
What could be more fun than cuddling up under a blanket and riding around downtown Bethlehem while taking in the rich history, architecture, and holiday decorations? Thirty-minute horse-drawn carriage rides run from December 13 to December 29, loading up in front of the Central Moravian Church. Wagons hold 13 passengers, so while this isn’t a private ride, it’s certainly a festive one. If you’re looking for something more intimate, book a two-person romantic carriage ride, or book one, two, or all three rows in a nine-person carriage.
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Feature image courtesy Discover Lehigh Valley
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