While some of you may hear the name Bethlehem and picture mangers and farm animals, the revitalized former Steel Capital in eastern Pennsylvania has their own take on the Christmas season. Bethlehem, PA Christmas is a sight to behold and taken on with enormous civic pride, since 1937.
Picture a Blast Furnace Light Show and expanded holiday programming running concurrently with the annual Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem holiday festival. All the high tech revelry takes place at the new SteelStacks arts and cultural campus in Bethlehem, now a booming city of over 75,000 residents.
Beginning in mid-November each year, the annual Christmas Market, Christkindlmarkt, is a treat for travelers that takes place on weekends through December (closed Thanksgiving Day). You can check the Bethlehem Association website for current dates and times to celebrate your own Bethlehem, PA Christmas.
Bethlehem, PA Christmas Goes All Out for Christkindlmarkt
A Bethlehem, PA Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the Christkindlmarkt. This market features aisles of exquisite, handmade works by more than 100 artisans from more than 15 states; live Christmas music performed by acoustic acts and choirs; and delicious German and Austrian favorites such as bratwurst, German roasted almonds, and strudel.
From beautiful, handcrafted jewelry, fine art photography and cinnamon scented beeswax ornaments, to edible birdhouses, handmade wooden drums and hand-carved wooden Santas, Christkindlmarkt offers thousands of holiday decorations and gift ideas perfect for every taste and budget.
SteelStacks Cultural Center Brings the Arts to Bethlehem
The SteelStacks campus is open nightly so guests can tour the holiday lights and 1930s-era decorations reminiscent of the days when Bethlehem first became known as The Christmas City. There’s even holiday-themed music and light show on the blast furnaces several times each evening.
Pause to watch the “Bethlehem, The Christmas City” film; shop for unique presents at the Stacks Shop; or enjoy the special holiday menus. If you haven’t captured the holiday spirit already on your Bethlehem, PA Christmas adventure, you’ll find it after watching this flick.
If you’re drawn by the more cultural activities, ArtsQuest has more going on at the SteelStacks too. “Peas & Qs” is their Saturday morning series, designed just for families and kids. Performances at 11:30am are always free, and feature musicians, magicians and clowns mixed in with arts, crafts, films, storytelling and more. Afternoons, there are often Disco Parties where all ages dance together.
Explore the Entire City of Bethlehem
The Historic Bethlehem Partnership has Christmas-themed walking tours, bus tours and carriage rides throughout the historic downtown district that older children would enjoy. Costumed guides lead families into museums decorated as they would have been when the Moravians first walked through these streets in the 1700’s and 1800’s.
If you tire of the Christkindlmarkt, local shopping options for pre- and post-holiday sales include the Lehigh Valley Mall and the Promenade Shops.
Other local events include Bethlehem’s famous annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, occurring all day during the Thanksgiving week. They don’t call it Christmas City for nothing.
Planning Tips for a Bethlehem, PA Christmas Weekend
History buffs will love a stay at the historic Hotel Bethlehem, the town’s grande dame. She’s located less than 2 miles from Christkindlmarkt, and within walking distance of shops and attractions. Families will find special weekend holiday rates for under $300 for a double occupancy that include breakfast for two.
At the contemporary and very comfortable Hyatt Place Bethlehem, families will find a spacious room with free continental breakfast, free WiFi and a heated indoor pool. You can also find discount hotels in Bethlehem, PA right here.
We like this Hyatt because it’s near some of the most popular area attractions including the Banana Factory — where the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre performs “The Happy Elf” and DaVinci Science Center.
For information on other hotel packages during the holidays, as well as a complete list of holiday events and attractions, see the Bethlehem PA Tourism office site.
Want to see even more holiday light displays and Christmas fun? Get our round-up of Top Holiday Lights Celebrations Across America.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Thanks for sharing experience..
Nice Blog. Thanks for sharing a family resort.
Thanks for any other great post. Where else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal means of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I am at the search for
such info.
Very good article.
Very good post thanks for sharing with us
Thanks for this interesting post! keep up the great work! well done!
Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
Hey Maggie, I really appreciate your innovative traveling ideas. You have covered so many adventurous places. Waiting for some new destinations. Please keep posting.
This post are very useful one. It is great to see this blog. Thank you for sharing this.
Game Lover
It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
Hi Maggie,
You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
Very Interesting And Useful Post Thanks For Sharing With Us….
This Information Are Very Informative.
Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
Nice Blog, thank you so much for sharing this amazing blog.
Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
very informative post i just checked your blog its very interesting and full of information we are tour operators in Indian Kashmir we provide Kashmir Holiday packages where you can live with local Muslim communities see their lifestyle and get a chance to taste authentic Kashmiri Halal food our Kashmir Tour Packages are customized and very cheap at pocket.
Very Useful especially who travel with there kids
I like it.
This post is very useful and informative..Thanks for posting..
This post is very useful and informative
thank you
Good information thanks for posting
Great destinations for First Night and New Year’s Eve! Check out our favourite ones in Europe: https://tapsy.blog/?s=new+year%27s+eve
Your Post Is Informative. Thanks For Sharing With Us.
Great to see! Thanks for sharing.
I was examining some of your content on this website and
I think this web site is really informative!
Continue putting up.
The dark tourism and light India is a nice article to read. Thank you for sharing it.
Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
I agree, the helpful information
Very Nice and Informative Blog About Heritage Rajasthan tour. Thanks For Sharing This Blog…..
I enjoyed reading your Italian family vacation story, and thank you so much for these tips. This surely gonna help us achieve a stress-free vacation in Italy. Great blog!
Nice Article..
Thanks for sharing this information with us.
For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
Wow, great!!! it could be a great fun out there.
very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
nice article, i also read about Celebrate Christmas Eve 2018
Aloha!
I would like to add my baby equipment company, Nana’s Baby Equipment. I serve the entire island of Kauai with aloha!
Mahalo,
Sharon Hackleman
Your article is very useful for me. I like the content you make. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience. seedresort.com
Perfect
Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]