Bethlehem’s businesses make Christmas magical
With Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us, it’s time to celebrate one of the most magical times of the year — Christmas in the Christmas City.
From its christening as “Bethlehem” on Christmas Eve 1741, to being named Christmas City USA in the 1930s, Bethlehem has a rich holiday heritage that’s unparalleled in our nation. It’s one of the major reasons you often see the city listed as one of the top holiday destinations in the U.S. by publications like USA Today, Forbes and Reader’s Digest.
For almost a decade, ArtsQuest has been working with the major holiday partners in our city and region to create the official Christmas City Guide promoting events like the city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Live Christmas Pageant and Peepsfest.
Last year, we also launched an all-new website, ChristmasCity.org, to highlight the many programs and events for which Bethlehem is known. While our goal is to eventually make this a year-round website, complementing the marketing and promotional efforts of Discover Lehigh Valley and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, our primary focus is drawing visitors from near and far to the city during the holiday season.
Flip through the guide or visit the website and you’ll see nearly 70 different events and attractions listed, the majority presented by nonprofits and community organizations. Together, it’s the efforts of these smaller, mission-driven groups — more than 20 in all — that come together to create an authentic experience that attracts tens of thousands to the city during the all-important holiday season.
Take Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, which offers cozy, horse-drawn carriage rides and opportunities to take a guided lantern tours, led by guides dressed in 18th century attire, to learn about the history of the Moravians who established the town in the 18th century.
There are also the annual Christmas concerts presented by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, the oldest Bach Choir in America; the popular Christmas Community Putz at Central Moravian Church, and much more. It’s the programs and events of these groups, along with the support of the city, that makes for an authentic experience that ties Bethlehem’s history, culture and holiday charm together. It’s what makes the Christmas City unlike any other destination in the country during the holidays.
While there’s no way to know for certain how many people come to Bethlehem during the holidays, anecdotal evidence from merchants and business owners indicates visitation seems to be on the rise. In recent years, attendance at ArtsQuest’s Christkindlmarkt shopping market has reflected this trend. Since 2015, the number of guests is up nearly 30 percent, while the market and its guests now add about $5.7 million annually to the region’s economy.
The bottom line is that the holidays have a huge economic and tourism impact on Bethlehem. While visitors come for the shopping and holiday experience, what they’re ultimately doing is supporting the city and region’s many local and independent businesses.
They do this by staying at places like Historic Hotel Bethlehem and Sayre Mansion, shopping the stores on Main Street and the SouthSide Arts District, and eating at the restaurants that are part of our flourishing dining scene. Of course, they also attend concerts, take the Bethlehem by Night Bus Tours and attend performances like Touchstone Theatre’s annual “Christmas City Follies,” supporting the many nonprofits and arts and cultural organizations that help to shape the Christmas experience in the Christmas City.
At Christkindlmarkt, we make supporting local and regional businesses and artists a main focus. Today, some 60 percent of our vendors come from the Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania. Why? We know their handmade gifts and holiday decor are what make our event stand out, creating an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else.
There’s no doubt that big-box stores and major online retailers play a huge role in our economy and the holiday shopping season. It’s our hope, however, that Bethlehem, along with its many small businesses and nonprofits, will be on everyone’s holiday wish list this year.
Whether you’re looking for a unique family experience, an awesome day trip or an overnight stay that’s guaranteed to immerse you in the spirit of the season, you’ll find it in Christmas City USA.