Nobody does jazz like John Coltrane, wine like Burgundy, or improv like Will Farrell, and nobody does winter like the Lehigh Valley. From holiday-related festivities to season-specific activities, there’s nowhere we’d rather be but nestled in our cozy corner of Pennsylvania – at least until someone steals the parking spot we just shoveled out.

’Tis the season to get bundled up and explore the Valley we call home.

Christkindlmarkt

Photo by Craig Roberts

Enjoy a holiday potpourri of ice sculpting and glassblowing demonstrations, comfort foods, and shopping. Endless rows of handmade works and retail vendors from near and far sit nestled under white tents on the SteelStacks campus. With a notable appearance by renowned German artisan Käthe Wohlfarht, your only dilemma will be deciding which seasonal token to take home. For more information, dates, and hours,
visit christmascity.org.

Downtown Bethlehem’s Live Advent Calendar

Now in its 10th year, this one-of-a-kind event celebrates both the tradition of advent calendars and the thriving small businesses in our community. The daily door-opening event, which features a variety of local businesses and performers, brings the anticipation and interaction of the advent calendar to life. For more information, dates and hours, visit downtownbethlehemassociation.com.

Christmas Classic Matinees

Get in the holiday spirit by catching a daytime showing of Christmas classic films on the big screen. Frank Banko Alehouse presents the old favorites White Christmas, Meet Me In St. Louis, and It’s a Wonderful Life. If you haven’t been to the Frank Banko theaters yet, you’re in for another treat: a bar next to the concession stand lets you enjoy a glass of beer or wine while you watch the picture. For more information, dates and hours, visit steelstacks.org.

Pennsylvania Playhouse

If live action is more your scene, the non-profit community theater Pennsylvania Playhouse will be putting on the musical favorite White Christmas this season. The Playhouse, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, offers an intimate setting for entertainment – with less than 200 seats in the house, you’ll almost feel like you’re part of the performance. For more information, dates and hours, visit paplayhouse.org.

Lights In the Parkway

When the sun goes down, the Lehigh Parkway is reborn as Lights In the Parkway. From the comfort of your car, you’ll take yourself on a seasonal safari spanning over a mile, spying glittering trees, dynamic displays, and lit tunnels from your windows. For more information, dates, and hours visit lightsintheparkway.com.

An Open-Sleigh Adventure

Step back in time and witness the winter like never before: from inside a carriage. The horse-drawn rides wind around town for about fifteen minutes, just long enough to savor the experience before being released from the season’s frosty bite. For more information, dates and hours, visit bethlehemcarriage.com.

Ice Skating at Steel Ice Rink

Life is all about balance, isn’t it? Take a day to play and glide across the icy National Hockey League sized surfaces at the Steel Ice Center. While you’ll be safe from the wind while visiting the indoor facility, you won’t be able to blame it when you wobble – but that’s all part of the fun. For more information, dates and hours, visit steelicecenter.com.

PeepsFest

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, there’s a certain charm to the festival devoted to honoring the locally produced iconic marshmallow candy. Stuffed full of entertainment like family-friendly bands, magicians, clowns, balloon-making, and the long-awaited giant Peep drop, the festival is a sweet note to end the year. Better yet, there’s no need to feel guilty about indulging: the event also includes an optional 5K run. For more information, dates and hours, visit steelstacks.org.

Go Swimming in December

Many of us leave the Valley and escape north to the slopes for the weekend during the winter, but sometimes we need to recharge in warmth to make it through the season. With over 50,000 square feet of water attractions ranging from slides to wave pools to play structures, you can leave the city and the winter behind for a night at a heated indoor water park just outside the Valley. For more information, dates and hours, visit
splitrockresort.com.

Holiday Train Exhibit at America On Wheels

Photo provided by America On Wheels

Transportation museum America On Wheels, which boasts 23,000 square feet of exhibit space, features historic displays of antique and current cars and vehicles. During the winter months, a variety of elaborate model holiday train exhibits will wrap around the museum to celebrate the holiday season. For more information, dates and hours, visit americaonwheels.org.