Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been renowned for being Christmas City, USA, since the 1930s. But its Christmasy collective and ambiance go back even further, beginning with its earliest establishment by European settlers. From its official christening as “Bethlehem” to fulfilling a national first milestone in public tree decorating, Bethlehem boasts many unique distinctions. That isn’t even including all the famous holiday highlights, longstanding and modern alike, that now mark the quaint community as the quintessential Christmas destination. For this festive Flashback Friday Feature, I’m recounting the history surrounding Bethlehem’s foundational development and all of its most notable holiday hotspots and attractions.
Precolonial Times
Long before any European settlers arrived in the New World, the land comprising what is now Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was home to various Native American groups. These included the Algonquian-speaking Lenape, with three main divisions—the Unami, the Unalachtigo, and the Munsee. Early settlers of British and Dutch descent traded with those indigenous peoples throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
It was on April 2, 1741, when Bethlehem truly came to be. That was when William Allen of Philadelphia, a renowned merchant and politician, deeded 500 acres of land along the banks of the Monocacy Creek and Lehigh River to the Moravian Church. Later that year, on Christmas Eve, no less, Bishops David Nitschman and Nicolaus Zinzendorf led a meager group of Moravian missionaries to the confluence of the Monocacy and Lehigh rivers, establishing the community of Bethlehem.
The missionary communities served to educate and spread religion to local Native Americans and unchurched German-speaking Christians. The decision to name their settlement Bethlehem was an appropriate one. As quoted by Nicolaus Zinzendorf, “Brothers, how more fittingly could we call our new home than to name it in honor of the spot where the event we now commemorate took place. We will call this place Bethlehem.”
Establishing Milestones
The decision to name the community “Bethlehem” on Christmas Eve of 1741 was a defining moment, forever establishing a Christmas connection and identity to last the ages. But it was not the only one. This connection extends to the first documented account of a U.S. city featuring a decorated Christmas Tree. This took place in the location of Bethlehem in 1747.
While the long-known associations of Bethlehem with the Christmas season continued throughout the years, it wasn’t until nearly 200 years later that it earned its famed moniker as “Christmas City USA.” That honor took place on December 7, 1937, in a ceremony that took place during the Great Depression.
Holiday Hotspot Attractions and Callouts
Attractions continued to emerge throughout the community. Visiting Bethlehem has now come to be regarded as a highly hailed holiday bucket list must-do. Experiences to take in here range in everything from traditional markets to historic holiday tours, not to mention all those nostalgic Christmas rites of passage that never go out of style. You’ll also discover the history and heritage behind some of those more unique Moravian traditions.
Shoppers take note of Bethlehem’s two most acclaimed seasonal markets. The first is their contested Christkindlmarkt, recognized by Travel + Leisure, Forbes, and USA Today as being one of the nation’s premier holiday markets. The other is their famously regarded Christmas City Village, an authentic outdoor setup along Main Street inspired by Germany’s own internationally renowned Weihnachtsmarkt.
Among their more original traditions, and a popular one at that, is their Live Advent Calendar. A real crowd-drawing experience, scores of people far and wide make the journey here just for this experience alone! Every evening around 5:30 p.m., folks gather around the Goundie House at 501 Main Street. A different person is selected nightly to knock on the door, which in turn is answered by a local business representative who offers up a different nightly surprise for all to enjoy. These offerings may take the form of anything from a live entertainment performance to a sweet treat!
While many communities feature holiday-themed history tours this time of year, there’s just something more enchanting and endearing about those ongoing presentations in Bethlehem. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites always has a broad range of offerings to boot, including their beloved Christmas City Stroll—a guided living-history walking tour through the city’s National Historic Landmark District, showcasing what Moravian life was like in the 1700s.
You’ll also find the charm and delight in horse-drawn carriage rides. Additionally, please note their ever-popular Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour. Spoiler alert, this is where you find out the reason behind why the North Side of the city opts for white lights while the South Side sticks with colors.
Year-Round Renown
In addition to all the holiday highlights, Bethlehem boasts a broad range of other area attractions. Many are interwoven into community history and heritage, taking the form of notable buildings, structures, and other landmark features.
There is the large Moravian Star atop South Mountain, for instance. Originally erected as a wooden star, it was paid for by Bethlehem Globe-Times, which later merged into The Express-Times for only $460. It was later replaced by a steel star from Bethlehem Steel for $5,000 in 1939. The current star was installed in 1967.
Another must-do to consider in Bethlehem year-round is a visit to the one and only Moravian Book Shop. Established in 1745, it is believed to be the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the United States and the second-oldest in the world after Livraria Bertrand in Portugal.
While many folks living in the Mid-Atlantic may find a pilgrimage to the city of Bethlehem in Israel an unattainable feat to tackle in this lifetime, you may discover that a trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is not only manageable but entirely worth it. Furthermore, like its namesake, it is a blessing to come by, at Christmastime or in any other season.