Featured Image: Scotland Tree – by Autumn Ford
Popular Holiday Attraction Showcases Top Trees of Past 20 Years
BETHLEHEM, PA—The popular “Trees of Historic Bethlehem” exhibition is back for the 2025 holiday season with its most spectacular lineup yet, a collection of the top Christmas trees and themes of the past 20 years. The exhibition, which is presented by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS), runs through Sunday, Jan. 11. Tickets for the exhibit are on sale now at historicbethlehem.org/Christmas.
Trees of Historic Bethlehem features 21 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees done by volunteers of the Bethlehem Garden Club and members of the community. Trees are spread across three of Bethlehem’s most iconic historic sites — the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Single Sisters’ House. The tour is ideal for families, with visitors provided with a guide booklet with tree descriptions, photos and tree trivia at the start of the tour, allowing them to proceed through the exhibition at their own, fun-filled pace.
“Every year’s Trees exhibition is unique in its own way due to the theme, but this year is really special because we’re highlighting some of the most spectacular trees from the past two decades,” said Sharon Donchez, who co-chairs the Bethlehem Garden Club’s Tree Decorating Committee along with Sandy Gass. “The 2025 trees honor the originals, but we also encouraged the volunteer decorators to incorporate new elements and their own artistic flair into each one. Historic Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Garden Club thank all of the businesses and volunteers who come together to make this exhibition possible for thousands of guests to enjoy each year.”
Just a few of the 2025 Trees of Historic Bethlehem highlights are the Waterworks Tree, featuring water-themed décor and tin Waterworks ornaments as a nod to the 1762 Waterworks, a National Historic Landmark and part of the Moravian Church Settlements—Bethlehem World Heritage Site; Winter Wonderland, a white tree with white lights and decorations; Dolce & Gabanna, which is half tree and half mannequin; and the Bee Tree, which originally appeared in 2014 when Trees were displayed at Historic Burnside Plantation. The Bee Tree features Moravian Beeswax Candles, locally made Moravian Stars with a “bee” color scheme, fun bee-related decorations and information regarding pollinators and bee baths.
“We are excited to share our Love for Christmas in Bethlehem,” said Joanne Smida, owner of the Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe. “Bees have been an essential part of about a third of the world’s food supply. Moravians used their byproduct honey as a sweetener and made candles from the beeswax. Our theme of ‘Bees’ gives thanks for the integral part they have and still contribute to the world’s ecosystems, agriculture and the essential natural byproducts produced.”
Of interest to children will be the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Circus, Antarctica (Penguins) and Baked Goods trees. For history enthusiasts, there are trees focusing on antique ornaments, Victorian-era decorations and even Scherenschnitte, the German art of papercutting.
The Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition is made possible through the support of The Bealer-Greene Christmas Endowment and the local business community. Among the sponsors this year are Historic Hotel Bethlehem, WDIY Public Radio, Alloy5, Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe/Hand Cut Crystal, Lucinda and Walter Dealtry, ServPro, SumFoodie and Tiller Private Wealth.
Admission to Trees of Historic Bethlehem is $25 for adults, $23 for teachers and active military members/veterans and $14 for children ages 4 and older. Ages 3 and under are admitted free. For complete dates and hours, visit historicbethlehem.org/Christmas.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko
