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Bethlehem as “Christmas City USA”

In 1937, The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce started a nationwide letter writing effort to 2,500 Chambers of Commerce asking each of them to notify their local newspapers of the campaign to make Bethlehem, Pennsylvania “the Christmas City”. It was suggested that people throughout the country send their Christmas cards to Bethlehem to receive the “Christmas City” cancellation. Most of the Chambers participated and more than 185,000 pieces of mail inundated the Bethlehem Post Office.

In the 1960’s the Citizens Christmas City Committee (of the Chamber of Commerce) was formed to help dignify the look of Christmas in the City of Bethlehem while at the same time absorbing a share of the costs of bringing Christmas to the public. The Committee continues to raise the funds every year to purchase over 800 trees that are lit during the Christmas season. 

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Douglas Benedict Photography, LLC

Enjoy everything the Christmas City has to offer by taking a ride on our free Christmas City Trolley! The trolley runs every 20 – 30 minutes and will shuttle you between the Historic District and the SouthSide Arts District. The trolley will run from November 22 – December 22.

Times: 
• Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 8 PM 
• Sunday: Noon – 6 PM
• A second trolley runs on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon – 6 PM

Trolley stops include:
• Walnut Street Parking Garage
• Main Street (The Sun Inn and The Moravian Book Shop)
• Chriskindlmarkt Bethlehem and SteelStacks
• Mechanic Street near New Street (at the exit from the 3rd Street parking lot)

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Citizens Christmas City Committee Events:

Bethlehem’s Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 29, 2019 from 4:30-5:30pm
Payrow Plaza, 10 East Church St, Bethlehem
 
Kick of the 2019 Christmas season at the Christmas City’s Tree Lighting Ceremony! Attendees will enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and a special visit from Santa Claus! There will be performances by the Freedom High School Band, Tolu Adebayo, The Swingtime Dolls, Orbital Drums, Sea Rae, Cunningham & Associates, and more. This year, we also ask attendees to bring a new or gently used children’s book to donate to the children of our community through Cops ‘n’ Kids.
 
The 54th Annual Community Advent Breakfast – Saturday December 7, 2019 from 8:30-9am
Moravian Village, 526 Wood St, Bethlehem
 
The Citizens Christmas City Committee will host their 54th Annual Community Advent Breakfast on Saturday, December 7th. This non-denominational Bethlehem tradition holiday music along with a generous served breakfast. Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children 16 and under. Contact Angie DelGrosso for questions and tickets at 610-739-3385.

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Other Bethlehem Chamber Christmas Events:

The 54th Annual Community Advent Breakfast – Thursday December 12, 2019 from 6-9pm
The Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illick's Mill Road, Bethlehem

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Join us at the PA Playhouse on Thursday, December 12 as we get in the spirit at our Christmas Mixer! The mixer will include wine, cheese, and networking before a private showing of the musical: She Loves Me. 

Click HERE to register!