The Southside Arts District is gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year with fun festivities. The holiday season in South Bethlehem will kick off with the Southside Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.. This year’s Christmas tree will be hosted by Touchstone Theatre on the outdoor Barrio Stage, which faces the South Bethlehem Greenway. Dave Fry will open the event with holiday tunes, and cast members from Touchstone Theatre will follow with a preview performance of their 23rd annual “Christmas City Follies” show. One of the Southside’s premier breakfast and lunch locations, Roasted, will be on site serving hot cocoa and treats during the event. Afterward, attendees are encouraged to walk the 2022 Southside Christmas Tree Trail.

The Southside Christmas Tree Trail runs between Nov. 26 and Dec. 17. It is an annual competition that challenges local businesses to decorate their own Christmas trees in unique and creative ways. Visitors are invited to walk the trail and vote for their favorite tree while dining and holiday shopping. The business whose tree captures the most votes will win bragging rights for the year, and the visitors who complete the trail will be entered to win a $100 dollar gift card prize.

Voting closes Dec. 17, and the winning tree and gift card winner will be announced Dec. 18.

The Southside Arts District’s Naughty or Nice Cocktails & Cookies Crawl is one of the most beloved annual events in Bethlehem. Hundreds of holiday fun seekers come out every December to pregame for the holidays.

This year’s crawl will run the first two Saturdays of December on the 3 & 10 between 1-5 p.m., and passes can be purchased from the SouthSide Arts District website. The crawl offers pass holders 11 different sample-sized cocktails, each paired with a delicious cookie.

Live music will be featured throughout the event, and as an exciting new addition, this year’s crawl-goers can expect surprise visits from the infamous Christmas folklore character Krampus!

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