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Bethlehem is a historic city in eastern Pennsylvania located in the Lehigh Valley region. Known worldwide as the “Christmas City,” Bethlehem earned its nickname when it was founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 by Moravian settlers. The city is divided between Northampton and Lehigh counties, with the Lehigh River running through its heart. Once a powerhouse of American steel production, Bethlehem has transformed into a vibrant destination known for its historic preservation, cultural festivals, and thriving arts scene.
Bethlehem’s origins trace back to 1741, when a group of Moravian missionaries arrived from Germany and established a settlement along the Lehigh River. The city was named Bethlehem on Christmas Eve of that year in a log stable, which still stands today as a preserved historic site. The Moravian Church Settlement forms one of the best-preserved colonial districts in the United States and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation defined the city for much of the 20th century. Founded in 1857, it grew into America’s second-largest steel producer, supplying materials for the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, and countless warships including those built during World War II. At its peak, the massive plant employed over 30,000 workers along the south bank of the Lehigh River.
Today, the former steel mill site has been reimagined as the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, where towering blast furnaces serve as a dramatic backdrop for concerts, festivals, and community events. The National Museum of Industrial History occupies part of the former plant, preserving machinery and stories from America’s industrial age. The city celebrates its diverse heritage through festivals like Musikfest, one of the nation’s largest free music festivals.
Musikfest is Bethlehem’s signature event, drawing over one million visitors each August for ten days of live music on multiple stages across the city. The festival features hundreds of performers spanning genres from rock and jazz to classical and world music, with a festive atmosphere of food vendors and craft booths.
The SteelStacks campus offers year-round programming including outdoor movies, farmers markets, and the Christkindlmarkt holiday market. During the holiday season, Bethlehem truly lives up to its Christmas City nickname with the Christmas City Village, horse-drawn carriage rides, and elaborate light displays throughout the historic downtown.
History lovers can explore the Moravian Museum, housed in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest surviving building in Bethlehem. The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Banana Factory Arts Center provide additional cultural depth, while the Hoover-Mason Trestle elevated walkway offers a unique perspective on the former steel plant.
The best time to visit Bethlehem depends on your interests, with the holiday season from late November through December being the most magical time to experience the Christmas City at its finest.
| Season | Temperature | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 40-65°F | Blooming gardens, fewer crowds | Variable weather |
| Summer | 65-85°F | Musikfest, outdoor dining | Hot and humid days |
| Fall | 45-70°F | Beautiful foliage, harvest events | Shorter daylight hours |
| Winter | 20-40°F | Christmas City magic, holiday markets | Cold, possible snow |
Summer is the liveliest season with Musikfest in August and numerous outdoor concerts at SteelStacks. The downtown restaurant scene comes alive with sidewalk dining and the Bethlehem Farmers Market runs weekly from May through October.
December transforms Bethlehem into a holiday wonderland with the Christkindlmarkt, one of the top holiday markets in the country, and the Live Advent Calendar tradition in the historic district. Spring and fall offer comfortable weather for exploring the Colonial Industrial Quarter and walking the D&L Trail along the Lehigh Canal.
Here are some of our recommended things to do in Bethlehem. Select what you would like to do!
The National Museum of Industrial History stands in a century-old former Bethlehem Steel electrical repair shop , an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution that celebrates America’s industrial achievements through immersive exhibits and authentic…
SteelStacks is a ten-acre arts and cultural campus built in the shadow of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s iconic blast furnaces along the south bank of the Lehigh River in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Operated by ArtsQuest , the campus transforms one…