Bethlehem, PA: America’s Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site Is a Christmas Wonderland

The nation’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is a Christmas Wonderland. it’s not hard to see why it gained the designation: it’s home to an incredible Colonial history and a living heritage that strengthens the nation’s connection to religious freedom and our immigrant history. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are some of the most unique and important places in the world, often combining centuries of historical importance with a thriving commitment towards keeping cultural traditions and history alive today. 

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania became listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024 as one quarter of the Moravian Church Settlements site, which spans four towns across four different countries: Christiansfeld in Denmark, Herrnhut in Germany, Gracehill in the U.K. and Northern Ireland and Bethlehem in the U.S. 

Bethlehem was settled on Christmas Eve in 1741 by the Moravians, a group of Christians who had left Europe for the promise of religious freedom and the hope of spreading Christianity in the New World. 

The people in Bethlehem lived a different existence than in neighboring towns, living and working together communally. They created a unique community that survived for centuries. 

Even more miraculously—the impact of the Moravians is still felt today in Bethlehem, with living Moravian congregations and a heritage promoting many of the ideals of not just the Moravians, but the United States, including equality. It’s also home to some incredible Revolutionary War history. 

“It is one of the most bucolic main streets in America, and I think for two reasons: it has shops, it has restaurants, and then it’s ensconced with some of the finest eighteenth century Germanic architecture in the world,” explained LoriAnn Wukitsch, President & CEO of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

Those who visit Bethlehem today can enjoy the town’s 18th century architecture; the 1762 Waterworks, which was the first pumped municipal water system in America and still functions today; the historic tannery, smithy and apothecary, the massive common house, and many other historic sites across Bethlehem. 

“I think every day is really something special in Bethlehem, and why I say that is because there’s something for everyone,” said Wukitsch. “The holidays are magical, however fall is absolutely beautiful. Summer is wonderful because we have the largest free music festival in the country…Spring is a wonderful time because things start awakening, our volunteers start working on our Miller’s Garden, and then we have weddings in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.” 

Bethlehem attracts about 65,000 visitors annually and offers an entire calendar of amazing experiences for travelers to enjoy throughout the year—yet, in a fashion befitting its name, none are so special as its Christmas celebrations. 

Christmas City, USA

Bethlehem’s unofficial designation is “Christmas City, USA,” and it’s got a ton of amazing holiday celebrations for visitors and residents alike to love. 

Every year, there’s the Moravian Putz at the Single Sisters House, horse-drawn carriage rides through the city, a special Moravian trombone choir, a Christmas City Stroll guided walking tour and a competition for the best Christmas tree at the Trees of Historic Bethlehem event.

“For individuals that want to learn about the Christmas traditions of not only the historic district, but also the south side, we have a Bethlehem by Night motorcoach tour, which allows visitors to learn about the Christmas traditions in Bethlehem, but they also get to see the iconic 91-foot tall Star of Bethlehem, and that is extremely impressive,” said Wukitsch.

Visitors can enjoy seeing the town’s Christmas decorations, like its windows lit by candles and the 91-foot Star of Bethlehem gleaming on South Mountain by foot, or take a more scenic route via horse-drawn carriage ride or the Bethlehem by Night motorcoach tour.  

Food lovers will enjoy the holiday pub tour and sampling the town’s special holiday treats, like the Moravian sugar cake, kiffles and more. The Baked into Bethlehem exhibit, which is an included part of the Trees of Historic Bethlehem event tickets, discusses the critical role of baking within the community, from its founding to the present day. 

American History Revisited: America250

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is planning to welcome more visitors and offer additional experiences for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 

To kick off the celebration, visitors will be able to view the Working Hands: Supplying a Revolution exhibit, which discusses Bethlehem’s role in supplying the revolution and how the Moravians cared for wounded soldiers, including Marquis de Lafayette, even as the community itself retained its pacifist way of life. The exhibit runs through October 3, 2026. 

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book your trip to Bethlehem Pennsylvania, which is a Christmas wonderland