HESS TALK: The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum will host a program titled “The Holidays at Hess’s Department Store” Saturday at 1 p.m. The presentation is funded in partnership with the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

Drawing on more than 1,000 vintage photographs, the slide-lecture will re-create the spirit of awe and excitement that once drew national celebrities to Allentown, including Johnny Carson and Rock Hudson.

The program begins at 1 p.m. Event admission is free for Lehigh County Historical Society/Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum members. There is a fee for nonmembers and children older than 2.

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE: First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., has announced its Longest Night Service for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The service, which is open to all, will be offered in the Sanctuary and also livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page (@firstpresbethlehem) and its website, fpc-bethlehem.org.

The service honors those who may not be in a celebratory frame of mind during the holidays, giving space for reflection and meditation. Music and verse will be offered, as well as communion for those who would like to participate.

For more information: fpc-bethlehem.org.

WINTER SOLSTICE: The East 40 – an outdoor learning space at Northampton Community College's Bethlehem campus – invites visitors to its third annual Winter Solstice celebration Dec. 21, between 3 and 5 p.m. Participants are invited to drop by anytime. It is free and open to the public.

On this longest night of the year, the coming of longer days will be celebrated with s'mores and hot drinks, and reflections on the year past and the one to come. Tales and traditions from Celtic and other cultures will also be offered, and participants are welcome to share theirs as well.

Those who can't join in person, are encouraged to light a candle wherever they are to join the celebrants in spirit.

Directions to the East 40, located at 3835 Green Pond Road: bit.ly/3RnbU6Y. For more information: info@ncceast40.org.

To Dec. 22 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)

Christkindlmarkt: Explore a one-of-a-kind Christmas market featuring unique gifts, delicious treats and local vendors. Features 60 artisans and craftspeople, performances, food, St. Nicholas and German ornament manufacturer Käthe Wohlfahrt. City Combo tickets available. Weekends. SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way. Visit steelstacks.org/christkindlmarkt -bethlehem/; performances times and dates: visit steelstacks.org/christkindlmarkt-performances/

Huts on Main and Christmas City Village: Holiday-themed wooden huts filled with unique gifts in the Moravian Historic District’s Christmas City Village along S. Main Street and in the Colonial Industrial Quarter. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit visithistoricbethlehem.com/event/christmas-city-village/2024-11-15/

Now to Sunday, Dec. 22

Christmas City Follies XXV: Touchstone Theatre’s unique Bethlehem vaudeville. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Additional shows at 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 and 21 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18. Thursdays: Pay-What-You-Will tickets (if available) at the door. Regularly priced tickets may still be purchased in advance to guarantee seats. Visit touchstone.org/events/christmas-city-follies/ for information and tickets.

Fridays and Saturdays to Dec. 22 and 30; Monday, Dec. 23, and Tuesday, Dec. 24

Annual Stuff the Bus Campaign: The Bethlehem Area School District Transportation Department school bus drivers will collect Toys for Tots, and nonperishable food and personal hygiene items for local agencies through Dec. 24. Collection locations are Bethlehem Square/Walmart at 3926 Linden St. through Dec. 22 and near the entrance to Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks and Monday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, Dec. 24 at Bethlehem Square.

Now to Monday, Dec. 23

Live Advent Calendar: 5:30 p.m. daily in the Sun Inn Courtyard, 1136 W. Walnut St. Each night special guests from a local business or organization appear and distribute treats to the crowd. Hosted by the Downtown Bethlehem Association in collaboration with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. Visit historicbethlehem.org/experiences/series/live-advent-calendar/ or Facebook at facebook.com/events/1068096217846562 for list of daily activities.

Ice skating at SteelStacks: 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays -Thursdays; 4:30 to -10 p.m. Fridays; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays; 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sundays. More hours, days and information: steelstacks.org/ice-rink-at-steelstacks-faq/

Now to Jan. 12

Trees of Historic Bethlehem: 20 trees display city-themed decorations by Bethlehem Garden Club members. Take a self-guided tour. Complete a scavenger hunt for ornaments highlighting World Heritage Sites and National Historic Landmarks throughout the U.S. Funding by the Bealer-Greene Christmas Endowment. Sites: Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 N. New St.; Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St.; and the Single Sisters’ House- leaves from the Moravian Museum. Information and tickets: historicbethlehem.org/; bundle pass with the Christmas City Combo (additional cost).

Now To Jan. 13

Christmas Carriage Rides: Discover Bethlehem’s rich history and architecture in style with a cozy carriage ride. Two organizations provide rides throughout the holiday season. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and Bethlehem Carriage Company. Visit historicbethlehem.org/christmas/christmas-events/

Weekends to the week after Christmas

The Star & Candle Shoppe: Moravian History Store of the Moravian Archives partnered with Central Moravian Church’s Star and Candle Shoppe with history store and Central Church items for sale including paper stars and beeswax candles all four weekends. Hours are the same as those for the Putz and is across hall from the Putz, lower level of the C. E. building, Central Moravian Church, 40 W. Church St. Visit centralmoravianchurch.org/seasons/star-and-candle-shoppe/ for specific dates, times and other information.

Central Moravian Church Putz: 1 to 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After Christmas, the Putz is open from 1 to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Visit centralmoravianchurch.org/seasons/christmas-putz/; to sign up as a volunteer, visit bit.ly/CMC2023Putz

Trains: Open House, 1 to 5 p.m. Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum, 705 Linden St. Information: call 610-868-7101 or email lkvmrrc@gmail.com or visit lkvmodelrailroad.com/open-houses

Saturday, Dec. 6

Luminaria Night volunteers needed: Volunteer Dec. 6 and 14 with setting out lights at city hall. To volunteer, need delivery or more information contact luminaria@ bhda.org or bhda.org/luminaria-night-december-14-2024/

Tree Lighting, Hanover (Norco) Township: Santa, tree lighting, horse and carriage rides, crafts, food, beverage, DJ music, “snowball” fight, Nitschmann MS Band performance. 6 to 8 p.m. Hanover Township Community Center, 3660 Jacksonville Rd.

A Jazzy Little Christmas in Bethlehem: Jazz pop songstress Corinne Mammana’s Christmas tour with Tom Kozic (guitar) and Brian Bortz (bass). 7 p.m. Christ Church UCC, 75 E. Market St. Bring donation items to aid Bethlehem’s unhoused.

Christmas Movies in the Courtyard: "Polar Express," 6 p.m. Sun Inn, 556 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/month/2024-12/ for information.

Holiday at the Y- River Crossing. Arts and crafts, family swim session, snacks and treats from around the world. 5 p.m. Availability varies by branch. 430 E. Broad St. Visit facebook.com/YMCA.Bethlehem for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 7; Sunday, Dec. 8; Scout Night: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10

Railroad Days train show. Models of steam locomotive legends to modern day diesel workhorses. Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers, 900 E. Macada Road. 1 to 4 p.m. Cost; 12 and under free (you are welcome to bring a stepstool for children). For additional dates and information, visit bdsme.org or call 610-867-2591.

Thursday, Dec. 12

Tony Trischka’s Holiday Show of A Winter’s Night featuring Tim Eriksen, with Jared Engel, Hannah Read and Sean Trischka. 7 p.m. Godfrey Daniels Music Listening Room, 7 E. Fourth St. Visit godfreydaniels.org/event/tony-trischka-holiday-show-december-12-2024/

Friday, Dec. 13

Christmas Movies in the Courtyard! How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 6 p.m. Sun Inn, 556 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/month/2024-12/ for information.

Winter Concert of The Bel Canto Youth Chorus, Christmas music and conveys messages of Peace and Unity. 4 p.m. Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 321Wyandotte St. Information, tickets: https://bach.org/belcanto/

Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15

Live Christmas Pageant, opens with a prelude at 1:45 p.m. Bethlehem Rose Garden Bandshell, Eighth Avenue. Email dlandis603@aol.com or call 610 865-0274 for information and to contribute to defraying expenses. Bethlehem Rose Garden bandshell, Eighth Ave. and Broad streets. Visit Facebook: BethlehemLiveNativityPageant; limited seating; bring your own.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Christmas Peace Pilgrimage: LEPOCO Peace Center’s 64th Walk the 10 mile Road of Peace Pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem. All ages. Symbolic of the journey of Mary and Joseph. 10:45 a.m. Meet in parking lot, 529 E. Broad St. Information and to register, visit www.peacewalk.org

Luminaria Night: New Bethany Ministry benefit. Starts at dusk. One Luminaria Kit (minimum donation) consists of 10 white paper bags, 10 votive candles and 10 cups of sand; a kit without sand is still a minimum donation. Volunteer Dec. 14 with setting out lights at city hall. If you wish to volunteer, need delivery or more information contact luminaria@ bhda.org or bhda.org/luminaria-night-december-14-2024/

Shop With A Cop: Colonial Regional Police Department Christmas Holiday program. Benefits children within our two municipalities and their families have faced hardship during the year. Children will be picked up by a police cruiser and will accompany an officer and police helper to breakfast, shopping, present wrapping and a closing lunch. In addition to selecting gifts for their families, the children may pick a special gift for themselves. Information: visit colonialregionalpd.org; or call 610-861-4820. CRPD thanks all those who donate to help local children and their families have a happy holiday season.

Wreaths Across America: The Bethlehem, PA NSDAR supports Wreaths Across America to honor veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day. Local event: noon at the Fountain Hill Cemetary, 1121 Graham St., Fountain Hill. All welcome. To sponsor wreaths: visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=78DC9208-BB38-480C-A805-59EDFFDC3681&pageIds=161746,14932.

Naughty or Nice Cocktails & Cookies Holiday Cocktail Trail: 10 holiday-themed mini cocktails and 10 Christmas cookies served up along SouthSide’s Third and Fourth Streets; event goody bag with a signature Naughty or Nice souvenir glass. Must be 21 or older to purchase tickets. No exchanges, or refunds. 1 to 5 p.m. For information: visit southsideartsdistrict.com/event/naughty-or-nice/

Bethlehem Historic District Holiday House Tour: Explore 10 historic homes and Historic District sites decorated for the holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unique Historic District homes, as well as other distinctive sites within the. This is a self-guided tour, rain or shine. Visit in any order you wish and finish the tour by 4 p.m. Check-in and pickup your tour book and map at 424 Center St. (the church building). Visit historicbethlehem.org.

Sunday, Dec. 15

St. Nicholas Choir Concert: a cappella; Nicholas Lezinsky, choir director. Open to the public. 3:30 p.m. St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, 980 Bridle Path Road. Visit stnicholasoca.org/choir/

Live Christmas Pageant: opens with a prelude at 1:45 p.m. Bethlehem Rose Garden Bandshell, Eighth Avenue. Email dlandis603@aol.com or call 610 865-0274 for information and to contribute to defraying expenses. Bethlehem Rose Garden bandshell

Monday, Dec. 16 and Friday, Dec. 20

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts’ award-winning Music Department Winter Concert Series performances by the school’s various choirs and ensembles. The Dec. 19 program features works by John Rutter, Sarah Quartel, Elaine Hagenberg and Eric Whitacre and a finale with more than 100 vocalists performing ‘The Holding Carol’ by Craig Hella Johnson.

Full calendar online

The Winter Instrumental Concert on Dec. 20 features the school’s Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. For showtimes & tickets, visit CharterArts.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Women’s Philanthropy Hanukkah Party Speakers from FamilyMatters Women’s Philanthropy Hanukkah Party, 7 p.m. Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, 702 N. 22 St., Allentown, https://www.jewishlehighvalley.org/wp-chanukah-2024