A few weeks ago, we mentioned some of the upgrades done at Christmas City USA (Bethlehem, PA). One of those was the new Winter Wonderland expansion at Christkindlmarkt. Well, we attended it last week, and the improvements are wonderful.

The Winter Wonderland Expansion at Christkindlmarkt

First of all, there is a ton of parking available, which immediately makes the experience more enjoyable. St. Nich’s new home has significantly more room for seating and taking pictures. The outdoor igloos are spectacular. They are heated, and even though it was only the afternoon, many were already rented and in use. The Winter Wonderland also added tables with fireplaces, which we happily sat at to warm up.

Inside the large tent, which feels like a massive holiday food court, the experience was truly amazing. There was a vast array of stands offering different types of German food, as well as other traditional favorites. There were meat stands, spice huts, cheese huts, pickle stands, several unique snack huts, and so much more.

To top it off, we sat at the huge bar that runs almost the entire length of one wall and enjoyed a drink while we ate our food. The bar features numerous German beers, as well as mixed drinks, and the entire tent is heated, which makes it even more enjoyable.

The shopping experience alone could take an entire day. There are zillions of ornaments and handcrafted items. We even sat inside the glassblowing tent and watched an expert create one of his glass-blown pieces right before our eyes.

Christmas Throughout the City of Bethlehem

The rest of Bethlehem during the Christmas season is truly a sight to behold. The Christmas huts have returned this year. Fifteen huts, each topped with a Moravian star, are located at the smaller open-air Christmas City Village and feature unique treasures from a wide variety of vendors.

Brick storefronts are wrapped in lights, church bells chime on the hour, and garland-wrapped lampposts line the streets, making even a simple walk through town a joyful experience.

If it is too cold for walking, you can stay warm with the Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour. These smaller motorcoaches offer a more personal, intimate, and warmer way to experience the city’s holiday magic.

Must-See Holiday Traditions

Another highlight is the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition. Spread across three historic sites, the Trees of Historic Bethlehem showcase some of the most spectacular holiday trees from the past 20 years. The exhibit honors the originals while allowing decorators to incorporate new elements and their own artistic flair. It is truly spectacular.

And Christmas City USA continues to receive national recognition. Both Zillow and HGTV have named Bethlehem to their Top 10 festive holiday destinations in the United States.

Hurry, there is still a little time left to enjoy this wonderful town.

Thinking About Moving to Bethlehem? We’re Here to Help

If a visit to Christmas City USA has you dreaming about making Bethlehem your home year-round, we at O’Brien’s Moving & Storage are here to help. With decades of experience serving Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh Valley, we know this city inside and out.

  • Local and long-distance residential moves
  • Interstate and out-of-state relocations
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Secure short- and long-term storage options
  • Senior moving services handled with care

Whether you are relocating to a historic downtown property, a quiet neighborhood with a view of the Star of Bethlehem, or anywhere in between, we will handle the details so you can focus on enjoying everything this incredible city has to offer during the holidays and beyond.