A few months ago we wrote about the Hotel Bethlehem, located in wonderful Bethlehem, Pennsylvania being named the “Best Historic Hotel/Resort in America” for the 4th straight year, by USA Today. Well, the city and the hotel are racking up the accolades. On November 21st the Historic Hotels America Program, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation to recognize historic hotels, awarded the Hotel Bethlehem the winner of the “Historic Hotels of America Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel”. Quite the long title, but the annual award is presented to the hotel that actively engages consumers in sharing its history through social media. It is important to "keep the stories from the past alive and make staying at these hotels a memorable experience."

Bethlehem History

In October, the Bethlehem Moravian Church Settlements were formally “inscribed” as a World Heritage Site, as a prestigious UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) site. The inscription underscores the importance of safeguarding our shared heritage. The Moravian settlers endured many tribulations upon leaving their homeland in Europe in search of somewhere where they could practice their faith without repercussions. The Moravian religious missionaries settled in Bethlehem in 1741   “on a social and economic experiment that resulted in a legacy of innovation, town planning, and architecture."

Christmas in Bethlehem

Now with the Christmas season upon us, Bethlehem has received a lot more recognition:

  • Bethlehem made Country Living’s “ 30 Most Magical Christmas Towns in the U.S."
  • Islands, a travel organization that covers all types of destinations worldwide, recently published an article on Bethlehem, praising the city as one of the best destinations to ring in the Christmas season.
  • Vacation property rental company HomeToGo rated Bethlehem #1 as the “Most Charming Places to Visit for the Holidays”. This rating was based on the highest searches on its website for 2024.
  • USA Today rated Bethlehem # 1 as the “Most budget-friendly Christmas Market in the U.S.”

So what makes “The Christmas City” (the state of Pennsylvania officially recognized Bethlehem as The Christmas City way back in 1937 ) so popular over the Christmas season? Well, here are a few of our favorites:

  • Christkindlmarkt – the German-inspired location where festive fare, handmade crafts, and various performances are sold.
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides
  • Incredible array of lights
  • Christmas City Village. Signature Christmas huts on Main Street, which involves local vendors setting up shop with holiday-themed wooden huts in the Moravian Historic District
  • November Red & Green Holiday Cocktail Trail, and Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tours
  • The huge Star of Bethlehem on the South Mountain
  • The Southside Christmas Tree Trail. An annual tree decorating competition among local businesses
  • Christmas Carolers
  • Night Motorcoach Tours with guides in Colonial period attire.
  • Topping it off, a Christmas movie was filmed in Bethlehem last year and is playing in theatres now. 

Movers in Bethlehem

Bethlehem, PA, is a city rich in history, culture, and festive charm, making it a wonderful place to call home. At O’Brien’s Moving & Storage, we understand why so many people are drawn to this vibrant community, whether for its historic landmarks, renowned events, or family-friendly atmosphere. Moving to Bethlehem should be as exciting as the city itself, and that’s where we come in.

With decades of experience serving the Lehigh Valley, O’Brien’s Moving & Storage provides a range of moving services designed to meet your specific needs. From local moves within Bethlehem to long-distance relocations, our team is the best choice for Bethlehem movers. Let us help you start your new chapter in this remarkable city—contact O’Brien’s today for a free moving estimate!