Published November 30. 2021 10:32AM
The Christmas City is more than living up to its name as historic downtown Bethlehem is draped in its festive finery at Christmas City Village – a row of hutsfor streetside shopping on Main Street. Presented by the Downtown Bethlehem Association, the event has transformed the area into an authentic German Weihnachtsmarkt, or open-air Christmas market.
The charming, holiday-themed wooden huts filled with unique holiday gift ideas are located outside of Central Moravian Church and the Hotel Bethlehem Conference Center; Christmas Cottages and additional festive activities are located at the 1750 Smithy within the Colonial Industrial Quarter.
This merry event runs Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 26 (closed Thanksgiving Nov. 25 and Christmas Day Dec. 25). Shoppers are welcome Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to finding Christmas treasures at unique vendors, visitors can stroll the festively decorated downtown and visiting charming retail shops, gourmet restaurants and historic Moravian museums.
Shoppers peruse Christmas-themed wooden huts brimming with unique gift ideas Nov. 20 in the Colonial Industrial Quarter of historic Bethlehem at Christmas City Village – Christmas Huts on Main.
PRESS PHOTOS BY TAMI QUIGLEY Shoppers hunt for treasurers and soak up the charming atmosphere browsing at huts aglow with Moravian stars and lights entwined in Christmas garland next to Central Moravian Church.
Melissa Morales, owner/operator of Melmo's Dog Treats, left, is ready to greet customers with her brother John Blimline and his fiancée Sam Summers. “Bethlehem looks like a Hallmark movie at Christmas – it's beautiful and magical, Morales said. “And every place is dog-friendly. I love it.” A Bethlehem native, Morales is now based in South Philadelphia, but hopes to open a place in her hometown in a year or so. This marks the third year Melmo's has participated in Christmas Huts on Main, where Melmo's sells a wide variety of merchandise, such as dog treats including six signature flavors and Christmas ornaments, as well as cat treats and cat nip. Melmo's participates in other Christmas City events, including Celtic Classic and Harvest Fest.
Russell Greig arranges merchandise at PH Secrets, which are CBD-infused products sold at Apothecary Living Salon and Wellness Center, owned by his wife, Sonia Tompkins. The company manufactures PH Secrets, which include natural herbs, bath wash, deodorants, soaps, lotions and even doggy and cat treats. Apothecary Living recently moved to Westgate Drive from Main Street. “I think it's a good idea,” Greig said of Christmas Huts, noting this marks their second year participating. He said wishes Main Street huts were turned so they could be better seen by drivers, who currently see the back of the huts.
A 171-year-old (or so) sleigh in the Colonial Industrial Quarter beckons visitors to snap a photo with it for an Instagram-Able moment using the hashtags #GetDowntownBethlehem and #ChristmasCityVillage.
A shopper strolls by Historic Hotel Bethlehem, which is brightly decked for Christmas.
