Holiday Calendar
The holidays are a special time of year in the Lehigh Valley. Whether you’re young or young at heart, there are plenty of local happenings that are sure to put you in a yuletide mood. Below is a sampling of the many events scheduled this season:
Welcome the holidays with the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on November 26th. Enjoy holiday music starting at 5:30 p.m., and greet Santa and Mrs. Clause as they help light the tree at 6 p.m. For more information, visit thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com.
For a perfect one-of-a-kind gift, visit Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, presented by ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley’s premiere outdoor holiday marketplace. Now in its 19th year, Christkindlmarkt has been named one of the best holiday markets in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine. Check it out at its new location: 645 E. First Street. The market is open Nov. 17-20, Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 15-18; Hours are Thursday-Saturday: 11am-8pm and Sundays 11am-6pm. For pricing and other information, visit artsquest.org. (Children 12 and under are admitted free.)
Visit America On Wheels’ Train Time Charity Exhibit, open from November 25th through December 29th and enjoy the sights and sounds of the many trains chugging their way around the galleries of the Lehigh Valley’s premier Transportation Museum. Help a good cause and bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. America On Wheels’ AACA—Lehigh Valley Region Holiday Party is scheduled for December 11th from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. in the museum’s Long Haul Room. For a complete list of holiday events and admission rates, visit americaonwheels.org.
Allentown Symphony Hall presents “Moosletoe: A New Moosical” on November 26th at 1pm. In this vibrant and colorful holiday tale, Mooseltoe and his friends learn some very important lessons while they pursue their dreams. Visit allentownsymphony.org for more information.
The Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT) stages their holiday musical, “Annie”, from December 1st through December 18th at the Ice House, Bethlehem. Visit 123pyt.org for more information.
The holidays aren’t complete without lights, and the city of Allentown presents its 16th Annual Lights in the Parkway Annual Light Spectacular from December 2nd through January 1st, with a preview weekend scheduled for November 25-27. This drive-through display includes twinkling lights, animated displays, and lighted trees, all set to music. Visit allentownpa.org for more information.
Northampton Community College (NCC)’s community choir, Bel Canto Dalle Stelle holds their annual Community Chorus Holiday Concert, “A Holly Jolly Holiday”, on December 2nd at the Lipkin Theatre in Kopacek Hall on the NCC campus at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $5 or a non-perishable food item donation.
Back by popular demand, Pennsylvania Playhouse presents “A Broadway Christmas Carol”, a blend of the traditional and contemporary (picture Ebenezer Scrooge bursting out into a medley of show tunes). Show dates are December 2-3, 9-11, and 16-18. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. For more information, visit paplayhouse.org.
Allentown Symphony Hall hosts Canadian fiddler Natalie MacMaster in her holiday show, “Christmas in Cape Breton” , on December 2nd, 8 p.m. Visit allentownsymphony.org for tickets or more information. Symphony Hall will also host Camelot for Children’s 25th Anniversary Concert featuring Peter Noone of the Herman’s Hermits on December 3rd at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, visit camelotforchildren.org.
The CRAYOLA Factory holds their annual Breakfast with Santa on December 3rd, December 10-11, and December 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is $20. After breakfast, participate in the Faux Gingerbread House Workshop from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m (on December 3 and 10 only). Fee is $15 per project. Space is limited. For more information, visit crayola.com.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts is holding a number of holiday performances, starting with the Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller on December 6th. John Tesh’s Big Band Christmas comes to the State on December 15th, and Kenny Rogers’ Christmas, holiday favorites performed by the country music legend, stops at the State on December 16th. They are also proud to host the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” on December 8th for the 19th year. This production includes puppets, breathtaking scene design, new characters, and mesmerizing music guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. For more information on this and other State Theatre shows, visit statetheatre.org.
Who could forget Ebenezer Scrooge and the lessons he learned one very memorable Christmas Eve? The Civic Theatre presents their 21st annual production of A Christmas Carol from December 2nd through the 17th. Visit civictheatre.com for more information. The State Theatre also presents a musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale on December 17th. For more information, visit statetheatre.org.
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem shares the sounds of the season at their annual Christmas Concerts on December 10th at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown at 8 p.m. and December 11th at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem at 4 p.m. The Bach Choir, founded in 1898, is the oldest Bach Choir in America. For more information, visit bach.org.
For a more contemporary holiday sound, SteelStacks presents “Harry Chapin”: A Holiday Celebration in Song” on December 10th at 7:30 p.m. at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. The show features members of the Chapin family performing songs by the legendary singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, as well as holiday favorites. For more information, visit steelstacks.org.
The Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley presents their annual production of “The Nutcracker” on December 17th and 18th at 2 p.m. at the Zoellner Center for the Arts at Lehigh University. 2011 marks the 43rd consecutive year that the Guild has staged this performance as a gift to the Lehigh Valley. For more information, visit bglv.org.
A number of New Year’s Eve events can help you send out 2011 in style. The CRAYOLA Factory’s New Year’s Eve Party on December 31st from 2-9 p.m. features a crayon drop, entertainment, fireworks, and much more. For more information, visit crayola.com. ArtsQuest stages their annual PEEPS Fest on December 29th to 31st (from noon-5pm) at the SteelStacks campus in South Bethlehem. Cost is $6.00 for adults 13 and older, $4.00 for ages 2-12, and free for those under 2. For more information, visit artsquest.org/peepsfest.
The Lehigh Valley is at its most special at this time of year, so get out and enjoy! Happy Holidays!
