christmas : events
A Christmas CarolPennsylvania Youth Theatre
12/7, 2:00 pm
12/8, 2:00 & 7:30 pm
12/9, 2:00 & 5:30 pm
12/14, 7:30 pm
12/15, 2:00 & 7:30 pm
12/16, 2:00 & 5:30 pm
Bethlehem's Ice House at Sand Island
Based on the book by Charles Dickens. One of the Holiday's most endearing and enduring tales is brought to life for children of all ages in this dazzling new musical production. Part ghost story, part parable, this festive show will brim with Holiday spirit as a cast of 50 actors, singers, and dancers guides the miserly Scrooge on an unforgettable journey from darkness to light. Call 610-332-1400.
Advent Lovefeast at Central Moravian Church
Christmas City USA
Dec 2, 11:00 AM
A favorite service of the Moravians, the Lovefeast is a non-sacramental meal of coffee and sweet rolls served during a service of hymns and anthems. It draws many visitors from near and far for the opening of the Advent season. It is a great way to experience the magnificent church choir and to fellowship with friendly Moravians. Visitors always welcome. Call 610-332-1300.
Bethlehem By Night Tours
Historic Bethlehem Partnership
Nov 23 to Dec 30
505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
Tours leave nightly from the Welcome Center 11/23 through 12/30. On this bus tour, led by guides dressed in colonial Moravian costumes, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride through the city, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Call (610)-691-6055 or 800-360-TOUR.
Christkindlemarkt Bethlehem
Christmas City USA
Nov 23 to Dec 31
Recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem features aisles of exquiste handmade works by the nation's finest artisans. Find more information, tickets, dates and times at the Christkindlemarkt Website. Call 610-332-1300.
Christmas City Follies VIII
Touchstone Theatre
November 28 through December 23
Wed, Thurs & Sun - Pay what you will at the door; Fri & Sat - $15/$13
321 East Fourth Street, Bethlehem, PA
It's playtime again! Follies wraps music, wit, silliness and dazzling performances into a variety act package that will serenade your imagination and delight your senses. Get your tickets early!!
Call (610) 867-1689.
Christmas Community Putz and Star & Candle Shoppe
Central Moravian Church
November 23 thru New Year's Eve
Monday thru Wednesday: 5 PM to 8 PM
Thursday thru Saturday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
After Christmas: Daily, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
73 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA
One of three Community Putzes, Central's is the oldest, begun in 1937. Showings every half-hour relate to the Nativity story with narration, lights, and small figurines, many of them handed down through generations. The Putz is a uniquely Moravian tradition.
Call 610-866-5661.
Cirque des Amis
Christmas City USA
Dec 28-31
Experience an unforgettable evening of high-flying circus performers, music, magic, juggling and comedy. Cirque des Amis is a spectacular showcase of extreme acrobatic delights.
December 28 - 7p.m.
December 29 and 30 - 2 and 7p.m.
December 31 - 7p.m.
Call 610-332-1300.
First Night Bethlehem
Christmas City USA
Dec 31
The Christmas City celebration will go out with a bang on Dec. 31 when ArtsQuest presents First Night Bethlehem. This family-friendly, non-alcoholic New Years celebration will feature music, over 50 performers and activities, while ringing in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display.
Be sure to come and check out this great event with the whole family!
Call 610-332-1300.
German and English Advent Singstunde
Central Moravian Church
Dec 4, 7:00 PM
73 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA
Presented by Dr. Paul Peucker of the Moravian Archives and sponsored by the Moravian Music Foundation and Central Moravian Church. Located in the Old Chapel.
Call 610-866-5661.
Grand Illumination
Christmas City USA
Nov 23
The evening starts with the official tree lighting ceremony at the city government center followed by a beautiful holiday procession to the Colonial Industrial Quarter, which will be illuminated in white lights to signify the start if the holiday season.
Call 610-332-1300.
Historic Walking Tours
Historic Bethlehem Partnership
Nov 23 to Dec 30
505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
oin your guide to visit Historic Bethlehem, just as John Adams and George Washington did before you! Witness Bethlehem's most influential and historic landmarks, enjoy the stories of the people and places that made Bethlehem a center of culture and industry in America and create your own family tradition to discover the meaning of Christmas in the Christmas City. Tours leave daily from the Welcome Center 11/23 through 12/30. (No tours 12/24 and 25). Tour departure times are Monday through Wednesday 6:00 pm; Thursday through Sunday 2:30, 4:00 and 6:00 pm. All 6:00 pm tours are led by lantern. Tour duration is 45 minutes.
Call (610)-691-6055 or 800-360-TOUR.
Holiday House Tour
Dec 13
Historic Downtown Bethlehem
BHDA's fifth holiday house tour will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2008 10:00 - 4:00. This year's tour features at least seven professionally decorated houses and the Putz display at the Sisters House on Church Street. The preview party on Friday, December 12th will take place in one of historic district's most beautiful homes and features advance viewing of two distinctive homes on the tour plus a reception catered by the Hotel Bethlehem. Tickets for the preview party, which includes the full Saturday are $50 per person. Tickets for the tour will be $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Information on the tour and advance ticket sales will be available online in September at www.ChristmasCity.org or call 610 332-FEST (3378). Tickets can also be purchased at the Moravian Bookshop and the Banana Factory after October 1.
$20.00 to $50.00
Moravian Christmas Music Concerts
Nov 29 to Dec 16
Enjoy the charm and history of an old-fashioned Moravian Christmas, as you celebrate Christmas in the breath-takinglybeautiful, 200-yeard-old Central Moravian Church.
Wonderful Christmas carols and traditional Moravian Christmas hymns featuring singers, instruments and pipe organ make this an incredible experience you'll remember for ever.
Nov. 29-Dec. 2, Dec. 6-9 & 13-16 at 2:00 PM
Music in the Old Chapel
Historic Bethlehem Partnership
Dec 4-29, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
Monday-Friday, 4:30pm - 5:30pm, December4- December 29
Historic Bethlehem, in association with Central Moravian Church, invites visitors to enjoy organ concerts accompanied by violin, flute, piano, or vocal artists. The candlelit setting of the 1751 Old Chapel provides the perfect tranquil backdrop for this holiday favorite. 1751 Old Chapel of Central Moravian Church adjacent to the Moravian Museum, 66 West Church Street. FREE ADMISSION
Call (610)-691-6055 or 800-360-TOUR.
Musikfest
ArtsQuest
Aug. 1 - 5-11 p.m.; Aug. 2-10 - noon-11 p.m.
Historic Downtown Bethlehem
Enjoy more than 500 musical performances on 14 indoor and outdoor stages throughout downtown Bethlehem as Musikfest celebrates its 25th Anniversary with "The Art of Musik." The 10-day musical extravaganza also features a wide variety of food, children's activities, visual arts and crafts and a closing-night fireworks display. New attractions include the Lyrikplatz singer-songwriter stage and the Art of Musik Workshop Series at Moravian College's Peter Hall.
Call 610-332-FEST.
Old Fashioned Carriage Rides
Historic Bethlehem Partnership
Nov 23 to Dec 30
505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
Experience the holiday lights, sounds and sights of Bethlehem's Historic District while relaxing on an old fashioned carriage ride.
Reservations are strongly recommended as most visitors and locals have made this cozy ride a family holiday tradition.
Call (610)-691-6055 or 800-360-TOUR.
Pass Into History
Historic Bethlehem Partnership
Nov 23 to Dec 31, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
Explore 2 great museums in the historic district- Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.
Enjoy self-guided visits at these two remarkable museums exhibiting important historical and cultural collections. Explore the establishment of the early Bethlehem Moravian community and be captivated by the beauty of regional decorative arts while enjoying your holiday visit at your own pace.
Call (610)-691-6055 or 800-360-TOUR.
Service of Lessons & Carols
Central Moravian Church
Dec 23, 11:00 AM
73 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA
The 60-voice choir will be joined by string and brass instruments and perform popular Christmas carols. Central Moravian Church is Bethlehem's first congregation and a National Landmark of Music.
Call 610-866-5661.
Tunes at Twilight - Sarah Ayers Band (Blues)
Sun Inn Courtyard
May 1
556 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
The Downtown Bethlehem Association, along with Lafayette Ambassador Bank bring FREE LIVE CONCERTS to the Downtown every Thursday night in May and June. Bring a comfy chair or blanket, a snack, and enjoy a glass of wine from Franklin Hills Vineyard or a beer from the Bethlehem Brew Works. This is a Rain or Shine event (rain location: lower level of the Main Street Commons). Free parking in the garages with our validation at the info table.
Free
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Call 610-841-5831.
– Downtown Bethlehem Assocation member
