Discover Lehigh Valley® shares list of festive, must-see attractions perfect for winter escapes.

Discover Lehigh Valley®, the destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh and Northampton counties, also known as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area, welcomes travelers to experience true holiday magic throughout Lehigh Valley. From exploring the enchantment of the Christmas City and Christkindlmarkt, to becoming mesmerized at Lehigh Valley Zoo’s Winter Lights Spectacular, and ringing in the new year as a family at the nationally-known PEEPSFEST®, Lehigh Valley is the perfect place to lift and make holiday spirits bright.

“Lehigh Valley is home to an abundance of unique holiday events and attractions rich in holiday traditions — like the Easton Peace Candle, Christkindlmarkt, Koziar’s Christmas Village and PEEPSFEST — that make for great weekend getaways with family and friends to help jumpstart the holidays,” said Alicia Quinn, strategic brand manager for Discover Lehigh Valley. “Consider a weekend stay in the Christmas City with brunch at Historic Hotel Bethlehem and a horse-drawn carriage ride, followed by a visit to see one of the area’s beautiful light displays, and a stop by one of our museum’s for a holiday tour or exhibit. There is just so much to see and do in Lehigh Valley this holiday season.”

When planning a winter getaway, consider adding these 10 holiday attractions to your wish list:

Christmas City, Bethlehem, Pa. 
1. Christkindlmarkt – The true hub of holiday magic, Christkindlmarkt is a European-style holiday market that showcases aisles of exquisite handmade works by the nation’s finest artisans, the heart-warming sounds of live Christmas music, delicious food, and more! In fact, the event has grown steadily and is now considered one of the premier holiday attractions in the Northeastern United States. 
2. Bethlehem Carriage Company – Take in the charm of Bethlehem during the holiday season as you ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the city’s historic district on streets lined in twinkling lights. The Bethlehem Carriage Company offers a number of options for couples or small groups to make the most of this unique experience. 
3. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Weaving through the historic roads of the Christmas City, the Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour provides iconic views of the over 275-year-old city. Once you hop on the bus, enjoy a tour of the lights along both the north and south side of the city and learn why the north side of Bethlehem is filled with white lights and the south side is filled with colored varieties. Tours operate from November 24 to December 30. After exploring all day, join the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, the Dalai Lama, and other famous guests with a stay at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, which was recently recognized by Historic Hotels of America as a winner in the 2017 Awards of Excellence for Best Historic Hotel. And, don’t miss the Musical Sunday Brunch, named one of the “Top 100 Brunches in the Country” by OpenTable.

Family-Friendly Holiday Favorites 
4. Show-Stopping Performances – A family tradition for many, the annual production of A Christmas Carol at the Civic Theatre of Allentown has been entertaining enchanted audiences for years. If looking for a holiday tradition with a twist, enjoy the Touchstone Theatre’s Christmas City Follies XVII, a high-spirited, heartfelt show that merrily showcases the fun and foibles of the holiday season. 
5. Holiday Train Display at the America On Wheels Museum – Enjoy in wide-eyed wonder as you take in the sounds, lights, and action of model trains stationed around the museum’s galleries. Perfect for the whole family, the America On Wheels Museum also serves as a Toys for Tots drop-off site, so feel free to bring a new, unwrapped toy and give back to a child in need. 
6. Easton Peace Candle – Thought to be the largest non-wax Christmas candle in the country, the Easton Peace Candle shines brightly each year in the city’s Centre Square. An area tradition since 1951, the candle is a symbol of peace for all religions and denominations. While adoring the candle that burns bright throughout the holiday season, enjoy Easton Main Street and get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. 
7. PEEPSFEST® – Coming in at nearly 5-feet and 200-pounds, a giant yellow, light-up PEEP will usher in the New Year as it drops at 5:15 p.m. on December 31 during the two-day family-friendly celebration. With plenty of activities for the whole family, including music, entertaining acts, and plenty of marshmallow PEEPS® to go around, PEEPSFEST® is one of the most unique family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Twinkling Lights 
8. Winter Lights Spectacular at Lehigh Valley Zoo – Featuring tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights and animated displays, the Winter Lights Spectacular transforms Lehigh Valley Zoo into a winter wonderland. Enjoy the Winter Lights Spectacular Wednesday thru Sunday, November 10 to December 31, excluding November 23, December 24 and December 25. 
9. Koziar’s Christmas Village – Filled with over a million Christmas lights covering buildings, barns, and countryside, family-owned and operated Koziar’s Christmas Village overlooks a beautiful lake that further reflects the stunning lights. Featuring its winter wonderland for 68 years, Koziar’s Christmas Village is shining from November 4 to January 1. 
10. Lights in the Parkway – A favorite display of many locals, Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway is a spectacular, more than one mile long, drive-through display on the Lehigh Parkway. Featuring dazzling displays with thousands of brilliant lights, this attraction will truly brighten your holiday season. The display runs between November 24 and December 31.

For more information on Lehigh Valley’s holiday attractions, visit LehighValleyHolidays.com, or for photos of Lehigh Valley during the holidays, click here. Follow @LehighValleyPa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Discover Lehigh Valley Established in 1984, Discover Lehigh Valley® makes Lehigh and Northampton counties a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the region.

Discover Lehigh Valley’s official visitor website and blog keeps locals and visitors abreast of all things happening in the region. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, brochures and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Discover Lehigh Valley’s social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into one of the many visitor centers for additional information.

About Lehigh Valley, Pa. Set amid gentle hills and charming country sides, Lehigh Valley, Pa. is home to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, as well as dozens of small towns and picturesque boroughs.

The region is steeped in pre-Colonial, Early American and industrial history. Lehigh Valley has an impressive range of tourist attractions including nationally-recognized events like Musikfest, wineries and breweries, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, outdoor activities, world-class sporting events, 10 colleges and universities, and is home to America’s favorite brands such as Crayola®, Peeps®, Mike & Ike®, Martin Guitars and Mack Trucks. The region offers a diverse array of memorable things to do and plenty of dining options to fit every budget and taste.

And, it’s easy to get to and around. Lehigh Valley is located approximately 60 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of New York City by car.