Christmas light displays, markets, theater, concerts and more Lehigh Valley events to add joy to the season.
Christmas lights displays, markets, theater, concerts and more Lehigh Valley events to add joy to the season. Here’s a guide:
opened Friday and runs through Dec. 28. The drive-through attraction in the Lehigh Parkway, in its 22nd year, features a mile of animated displays, including reindeer, fairy tale characters, ice skaters and Santa Claus. Music enhances the experience.
The Lights are open 5:30-10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and nightly Dec.12-28; closed Christmas Day. Enter off Martin Luther King Boulevard at 15th Street. Cost is $15 per car; $25 per commercial van, minibus and limo; $45 per bus. Advance tickets of $12 per car can be purchased at lightsintheparkway.com or for $10 at Allentown City Hall or the Allentown Federal Credit Union.
New is ”a chance to walk through the display with your pet, at 7 p.m. Dec. 4. The event includes doggie food and treat samples, pictures with Santa, and a commemorative bandanna. Registration is $20. Info: runlehighvalley.com.
The the Lehigh Valley Zoo debuted in early November for its fifth season. This is a walk-through display with more than 1.1 million lights and animated themed displays lining treelined paths, all twinkling to holiday music. Signature scenes include Whooville and “Toy Story.”
The attraction includes a stage featuring Elsa (from “Frozen”) and Belle (from “Beauty and the Beast”). There’s also characters such The Grinch, Woody, Buzz, Olaf and the Minions; live reindeer; Santa; fire pits; hot cocoa and s’mores. Special event nights will feature carolers and choirs signing holiday songs.
The attraction is open Wednesday through Sunday through Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas). Hours: 5:30-10 p.m. except 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 22. Admission is $11, adults; $6, ages 2-11, Wednesday and Thursday; $14, adults; $9, ages 2-11, Friday through Sunday. Info: 610-799-4171, lvzoo.org.
23. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Prices have gone up to $10, ages 13 and up; $6, ages 6-12; free, ages 5 and under; $20, season pass, ages 13 and older; $12, ages 6-12; $5 a person for groups of 16 or more; $4, ages 6-12.
New is a $25 Christmas City combo ticket, which includes admission to Christkindlmarkt, four Historic Bethlehem museums and the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibit.
Info: 610-332-3378, christmascity.org
A free trolley runs between Christkindlmarkt and the shopping and museum district in north Bethlehem, where you’ll find Christmas City Village.
Christmas City Village is modeled after a Weihnachtsmarkt and features a couple dozen vendors selling wares in wooden huts in the Sun Inn Courtyard and the south end of Main Street at near Central Moravian Church and the 1750 Smithy.
Vendors are selling food, clothing, art and housewares. There also will be some food and entertainment in the Sun Inn Courtyard.
Christmas City Village runs weekends through Dec. 23. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Free admission. Info: getdowntownbethehem.com.\
On the Holiday Putz Trail, see miniature replicas of the nativity story at four historic sites — Kemerer Museum, Moravian Museum Gemeinhaus, Single Sisters House and 1810 Goundie House. Additional locations include Central Moravian Church Christmas Putz, Edgeboro Moravian Church and East Hills Moravian Church.
The Live Advent Calendar returns Dec. 1-23. The only one of its kind in the country, the countdown to Christmas features a person appearing at the door of the 1810 Goundie House, 501 Main St., every day at 5:30 p.m. Treats will be distributed to the crowd that gathers.
Info: historicbethlehem.org.
Repertory Dance Theatre’s production, directed by Jennifer Haltzman Tracy and Trinette Singleton, is at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. Guest artists are Elena Miettinen and Sean Stewart of American Ballet Theatre, and Daniel Mayo of Ballet X of Philadelphia. Music is by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Choir.
There’s a chance to mingle with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends at the Land of The Sweets Party after the Saturday matinee (separate ticket required.) Characters will sign autograph books, pose for pictures and help the kids with crafts. Santa will also be there.
Repertory Dance also offers a Nutcracker confection for adults. “Let’s Go Nutz,” at7 p.m. Dec. 8 on stage at Miller Symphony Hall, features six musicians, dance company members and guest artists and community arts organizations for performances inspired by the ballet. Info: repertorydance.org.
Moscow Ballet presents superstar ballerinas with local dancers from Pennsylvania Classical Ballet in its “Great Russian Nutcracker” at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at the State Theatre in Easton. The classic story is is embellished with Russian cultural icons such as life-sized Matryoshka/Nesting Dolls, a ride through the magical Snow Forest in a Troika Sleigh and the Dove of Peace with a 20-foot wing span. The production is also known for its lavish handpainted set. Info: statetheatre.org.