(Photo Credits: Autumn Ford)
BETHLEHEM, PA—The holiday season in Historic Bethlehem officially begins with the return of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ (HBMS) beloved “Trees of Historic Bethlehem” exhibition and the new “Baked into Bethlehem” exhibition, both opening Friday, Nov. 14. Tickets, which include entrance to both exhibitions, are $25 for adults, $23 for teachers and military members and $14 for children ages 4 and older. Children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at historicbethlehem.org.
This year’s Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition is the most spectacular yet, with a curated showcase of the top trees and themes from the past 20 years, all beautifully staged across the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and Single Sisters’ House. Presented in partnership with the Bethlehem Garden Club and community partners such as Hotel Bethlehem, Alloy5, Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe, Lucinda & Walt Dealtry, Tiller Private Wealth and WDIY Public Radio, the exhibition highlights the artistry, tradition and community spirit that have made Bethlehem’s holiday season famous around the world.
Also opening on Nov. 14 is Baked into Bethlehem, the new exhibition tracing the evolution of baking as a cornerstone of community life, spirituality and creativity in Bethlehem for nearly three centuries. The exhibition, which is on display at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem and Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, highlights how baking has been woven into the city’s history and identity, from the beehive ovens of early Moravian Bethlehem to the beautiful wedding and birthday cakes of the beloved Groman’s bakery, which closed in the 1980s but still makes its Sugar Cookies for HBMS during the holiday season.
Signature Christmas Tours Return for 2025
The opening of Trees of the Historic Bethlehem and Baked into Bethlehem exhibitions marks the start of HBMS’s exciting holiday offerings this year. Other programming includes:
Christmas City Stroll Walking Tour – Begins Nov. 14
This guided walking tour traces more than 280 years of Bethlehem history while touching on cherished Moravian and Christmas City traditions including the meaning of a candle in every window, beeswax candles, Central Moravian Church’s Community Putz and the Moravian Star, an enduring symbol of the Moravian faith traditionally hung during the holiday season.
Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour – Begins Nov. 28
This popular guided tour experience explores the city’s rich history and holiday traditions. Guests travel through the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem World Heritage Site, past the beautiful Historic District and to the top of South Mountain to view the iconic 91-foot-tall Star of Bethlehem.
Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour – Begins Nov. 29
A festive, story-filled journey through Bethlehem’s Christmas history includes visits to the Historic Sun Inn, McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Lost Tavern in the Moravian Bookstore. It all concludes with a glass of Moravian Glühwein at Historic Hotel Bethlehem — the only way to get into the hotel unless you’re staying there.
Visit historicbethlehem.org for dates, times, tickets and program updates.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko
