Festive Markets, Light Displays & Cozy Things to Do
Winter in the Lehigh Valley is full of charm, festive energy, and cozy experiences for families, couples, and anyone looking to make the most of the season. From holiday markets to light displays and cold-weather activities, here’s a curated roundup of the best things to do.
Holiday Markets & Festive Villages
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
A beloved German-style Christmas market featuring artisan gifts, handmade crafts, festive treats, live music, and glass-blowing demonstrations. It runs on select weekends through mid-December.
Official site → artsquest
Downtown Bethlehem – Christmas City & Historic Bethlehem Holiday Experience
Walking Bethlehem’s historic district and checking out its holiday decorations, carriage rides, historic homes, and local shops gives a magical “Christmas City” feel.
Info & event calendar → visithistoricbethlehem
Drive-Through & Walkable Light Displays
Lights in the Parkway – Allentown
A beloved annual drive-through light display along Lehigh Parkway, running November 28, 2025 through January 6, 2026. Perfect for a cozy, scenic evening ride.
Official info → allentownpa
Illumination at Coca‐cola Park — Walk-through Lights Show
A large-scale, walkable holiday light experience at Coca-Cola Park with themed displays, synchronized music & lights, and festive extras.
Tickets, dates, and details on their official site: illuminationlv
Winter Light Spectacular – Lehigh Valley Zoo
Featuring over 1.2 million lights, holiday-themed displays, and classic winter-time fun — a great family outing when it's chilly out.
Official event page → lvzoo
Performances, Shows & Seasonal Entertainment
Winter in the Lehigh Valley is also prime time for live entertainment. Think holiday plays, festive concerts, comedy nights, and special seasonal productions that infuse cozy winter evenings with cheer, laughter, and magic. One of the region’s most beloved traditions is the Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, where their annual Christmas City Follies (December 4–21, 2025) offers a homegrown, family‐friendly holiday variety show filled with original comedy sketches, music, and surprise moments.
If a more classic holiday story is what you’re after, the Civic Theatre of Allentown stages its traditional. A Christmas Carol from December 5 to 20, a theatrical journey from Ebenezer Scrooge’s cold heart to festive warmth. It’s a cozy show for families, couples, or anyone seeking holiday nostalgia rooted in timeless storytelling.
Because show schedules evolve each year, the best plan is to watch the event calendars of these venues, Touchstone Theatre, Civic Theatre, and SteelStacks, as winter approaches. That way, you’ll always know about new holiday plays, concerts, comedy nights, or one‐off shows happening in the Valley. One good resource is the holiday events calendar for the region via the Christmas City / Bethlehem historic events page. Visit Historic Bethlehem.
With so many seasonal activities and events, winter is one of the best times to explore the Lehigh Valley. From festive markets to family-friendly attractions, the region offers countless ways to celebrate and make the season meaningful. Thanks for reading, and here’s to a bright and memorable winter.
