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 Tree Lighting at Lehigh Valley Mall
November 14, 2023 from 5:00-7 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 the Zephyr Holiday Express.
Promenade Shops Holiday Tree Lighting
November 18, 2023 beginning at 5:00 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 City Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 24, 2023 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.
Hellertown Light Up Night
November 24, 2023 from 4-8 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, and more.
Easton Peace Candle Lighting
November 25, 2023 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
November 25, 2023 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, photos with Santa, craft. vendors, and an ice sculptor.
Southside Tree Lighting Celebration
November 25, 2023 beginning 5 p.m.
Bethlehem Greenway between the 324 South New Street Parking Deck and the 306 S. New Street building
Before the ceremony, Touchstone Theatre & Moravian University MFA students will perform with merriment and festive hi-jinx! Complimentary cocoa and cookies will be provided by Bethlehem’s Roasted, and harmony-heavy melodic rock band The Beautiful Distortion will be outdoors filling the air with holiday tunes! Afterwards, attendees are welcome to enjoy food and drink specials from local restaurants and bars.
Bath Area Tree Lighting
November 26, 2023 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
November 26, 2023 beginning at 7 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
December 1, 2023, 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.
Hanover Township Tree Light Ceremony
December 1, 2023 from 6 - 7:30 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
December 2, 2023 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
December 2, 2023 beginning at 5:30 - 7:30 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
December 2, 2023 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!
Forks Township Tree Lighting
December 3, 2023 from 5:30 - 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
December 6, 2023 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
December 8 & 9, 2023
Center Circle in the Borough of Nazareth
Nazareth will host the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Circle, where they will officially light the tree with the help of the whole Nazareth community! There will be a little bit of something for everyone! The holiday fun doesn't stop there! The next day, Saturday, December 9th, is the very popular Christmas in Nazareth event, which will take place in historic downtown Nazareth, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
North Whitehall Township Annual Tree Lighting
December 10, 2023 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. 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.