Throughout the holiday season, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding communities glow with trees decked out in lights and seasonal decor.
Special ceremonies mark the tree lightings that start as early as mid-November. From Hellertown’s Light Up Night and Nazareth’s Tree Lighting to the Tree and Bridge Lighting at Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall Township, locals and visitors alike gather to celebrate as switches are flipped to illuminate the towering firs.
These occasions are often celebrated with seasonal drinks and food, festive sing-alongs, and appearances from Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas himself.
But the fun doesn’t stop around the tree. For more unique options, consider heading to Easton for the sing along, “Let There Be Peace on Earth” at the lighting of the Peace Candle in Centre Square or to Koziar’s Christmas Village to marvel at the twinkling lights or take in the shimmering winter wonderland at Lights in the Parkway in Allentown. The holiday festivities are nearly limitless, especially when in Bethlehem, the Christmas City.
Read on for our list of tree lighting celebrations in Lehigh Valley, arranged chronologically. And after the fun, consider dinner at your favorite restaurant to warm up and review Christmas shopping lists!
Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 18, 2022 beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem
Full of holiday spirit all yearlong, Bethlehem’s Christmas City kicks things off with multiple live performances, community song, free hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting tradition takes place around 5 p.m. More info.
Promenade Shops Holiday Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 19, 2022 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley
Enjoy live, holiday music while waiting for Santa to help light the tree. This event is free. Make a night of it, and enjoy dinner at Torre or Melt. More info.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Lehigh Valley Mall
Thursday, November 22, 2022 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Mall, Elevator Court, 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall
Come out to enjoy live performances, Santa, local restaurant food and beverage samplings, and more. Consider a donation to Toys for Tots.
Hellertown Light Up Night
Friday, November 25, 2022 from 5-9 p.m.
Dimmick Park, 570 Durham St., Hellertown
Come out for trolley rides, children activities, adult beverage bar, hot chocolate and cookies, food, movies on the big screen, pictures with Santa, Disney® Princesses, and more. Bring a non-perishable item or canned good for under the tree.
Easton Peace Candle Lighting
Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 12 - 8 p.m.
Easton's Centre Square
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with live music, carriage rides, strolling street performers, ice carvers, and more treats to delight the whole family. Kick off the holiday shopping season with Downtown Easton’s selection of unique boutiques and specialty stores. A full day of merriment culminates in the grand lighting of Easton’s Peace Candle at 6:30 p.m. More info.
Coopersburg Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Coopersburg Fire Company, 13 S. Main St., Coopersburg
The Coopersburg Borough, Coopersburg Fire Company, and Southern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce will come together to kick off the holiday season with an evening full of family fun! There will be hayrides from Hausman’s Fruit Farm, photos with Santa, craft. vendors, and an ice sculptor.
Holiday on the SouthSide
Saturday, November 26, 2022 beginning 5 p.m.
Touchstone Theatre's Barrio Stage, 321 E 4th St. Bethlehem
This year’s Christmas tree will be hosted by Touchstone Theatre on their outdoor Barrio Stage which faces the South Bethlehem Greenway. Musician and singer Dave Fry will open the event with festive holiday music. 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 onsite serving hot cocoa and treats during the event. After the Tree Lighting Ceremony, all attendees are invited to walk the 2022 SouthSide Christmas Tree Trail, shop, dine, and vote for their favorite Christmas Tree display.
Bath Area Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 27, 2022 beginning at 6 p.m.
Monocacy Creek Park, Bath
Spend an evening with the Bath Area Community Choir as Santa arrives by fire truck to the Park.
Borough of Northampton Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, November 27, 2022 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Main St. and Laubach Ave., Northampton
Join Northampton Borough for an evening of celebration and family fun with performances by Pennsylvania Classical Ballet and Good Shepherd Catholic School Choir, a visit from Santa, and goodie bags filled with holiday treats for all the children!
Slatington Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 2, 2022, 5-7 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, 509 Main St., Slatington
Join vendors in the park for the annual tree lighting celebration, complete with vendors, food, and fun.
Faith Church Community Tree Lighting
Friday, December 2, 2022 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
6528 Hamilton Blvd., Lower Macungie
Faith Church's campus will be transformed into a winter wonderland with cookies and cocoa, ice sculpture, photo booths, kids' ride and inflatables, sports, live Christmas music from Grace Notes Big Band and the Lower Macungie Middle School Chorale, storytime sessions for our littlest friends, and so many more fun surprises! Event is free for the public.
Hanover Township Tree Light Ceremony
Friday, December 2, 2022 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Hanover Township Community Center, 3660 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem
What more can you ask for? Santa, hot chocolate bar, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides through a illuminated path, arts/crafts, choirs, indoor snowball fight, and more. Event is free.
Downtown Allentown Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 4 - 7 p.m.
Allentown Arts Park, 20 N. Fifth St., Allentown
Christmas magic takes over the 800 block of Hamilton Street to welcome the season. Festivities include live musical performances, dance acts, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s activities such as face painting, gifts for children, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free to the public. More info.
Tree and Bridge Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, December 3, 2022 beginning at 4 p.m.
Covered Bridge Park, Covered Bridge Lane & Wehr Mill Rd., South Whitehall Township
Covered Bridge Park will twinkle for the holidays. Come decorate the covered bridge, Corner Mill House, and holiday tree, all while enjoying family activities like the Candy Cane Hunt, s’mores stations, dance performances, and live entertainment.
Emmaus’ Old-Fashioned Christmas
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 4 - 7 p.m.
Triangle Park, Main St., Emmaus
Get together with your family and friends to celebrate the holiday season. There will be many aspects of the event including the Candy Cane Lane with Emmaus Historic Sites and the Cheers Trail with Old Fashioned Christmas!
Christmas in Kutztown Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from noon - 6 p.m.
200 block of Main St., Kutztown
Christmas in Kutztown features a variety of holiday activities, including breakfast with Santa, Santa’s workshop, musical performances, train rides, arts and crafts, and more.
North Catasauqua's Annual Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 4, 2022, 6 p.m.
North Catasauqua Park, 701 Grove St., Catasauqua
The Catasauqua High School band performs and Santa and Mrs. Claus will collect food and toiletry donations for the Catasauqua Community Food Bank. The North Catasauqua Police Department will also be present to collect toy donations for Toys for Tots.
Allentown West Park’s Annual Tree Lighting in the Park
Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 6 p.m.
Park located between Linden & Turner Sts. and 15th & West Sts., Allentown
Make edible ornaments for West Park furry and feathered friends at the Church of the Mediator (1620 W. Turner St., Allentown). Then help trim the West Park tree with the edible ornaments and accompanied with musical performances and refreshments. There is no cost to participate.
Western Lehigh Tree Light Ceremony
Sunday, December 4, 2022 6:30 p.m.
Ontelaunee Park, 7344 Kings Hwy., New Tripoli
Be part of the first ever tree lighting celebration in this community and await Santa’s arrival.
Alburtis Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 4, 2022 beginning at 4 p.m.
Alburtis Fire Company, 328 S. Main St., Alburtis
Family day out in Alburtis. Get photos with Santa, enjoy hot food, a basket raffle, live performances, a tree lighting at 5 p.m. and more.
Forks Township Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Center Circle in the Borough of Nazareth, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Easton
Join the Forks Township Parks and Recreation for holiday activity stations and Santa’s workshop. Santa will arrive for the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Whitehall Township Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 6:30 p.m.
Whitehall Township Municipal Building, 3219 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall
You won't want to miss the annual tree lighting celebration at the Whitehall Township Municipal Building as all guests will be treated to a visit from the North Pole.
Nazareth Tree Lighting
Friday, December 9, 2022 7 p.m.
Center Circle in the Borough of Nazareth
The evening will feature performances by All Things Brielle and the Nazareth Moravian Church’s Brass Choir & Friends, music by Reilly Entertainment Group, remarks from Elected Officials, holiday characters, a prayer from Pastor Derek of Nazareth Moravian Church, and, of course, a surprise visit from Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus! After the ceremony, attendees will have the chance to take their photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, hand warmers, and giveaways for the kids.
Palmer Township Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 10, 2022 beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township, 4100 Green Pond Rd., Palmer Heights
Be on time for Santa’s arrival at 6:15 p.m. via a Palmer Fire Truck. There will also be live performances, refreshments, and family-fun activities.
North Whitehall Township Annual Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 5-7 p.m.
North Whitehall Township Building, 3256 Levans Rd., Coplay
Join the Township for various festive holiday performances, as well as hot chocolate and hotdogs from the Upper Lehigh Lions Club and food for purchase from Why Not Burgerz. Crafters, artisans, and local businesses will host a vendor market to provide an opportunity for holiday shopping. The Grinch will make an appearance, as well as Santa Claus himself (arriving at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree).
For more great holiday happenings in Lehigh Valley, click here.