Throughout the holiday season, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding communities glow with trees decked out in lights and seasonal decor.
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 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.
Promenade Shops Holiday Tree Lighting
November 16, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Promenade 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.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Lehigh Valley Mall
November 19, 2024 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 at the Christmas Tree Lighting at Lehigh Valley Mall. Consider a donation to the Zephyr Holiday Express.
Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 29, 2024 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. Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Hellertown Light Up Night
November 29, 2024 from 5-8 p.m.
Dimmick Park, 570 Durham St., Hellertown
Come out to Hellertown's Light Up Night for wagon 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 30, 2024 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 at Easton's Peace Candle Lighting. 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.
Coopersburg Tree Lighting
November 30, 2024 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 30, 2024 from 5 - 6 p.m.
Bethlehem Greenway between the 324 South New Street Parking Deck and the 306 S. New Street building
Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree with a free concert by The Beautiful Distortion, a harmony-heavy rock band. Enjoy more live performances as well as cocoa, cookies, & cider from Bethlehem's Roasted & Zest Bar+ Grille. More Info.
Bath Area Tree Lighting
December 1, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
Monocacy Creek Park, Bath
Spend an evening with the Bath Area Community Choir with surprise guests Elsa & Santa! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, free horse and carriage rides, guest speakers, and more!
Borough of Northampton Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 1, 2024 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!
North Whitehall Township Annual Tree Lighting
December 3, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
North Whitehall Township Building, 3256 Levans Rd., Coplay
Join the North Whitehall Township Annual Tree Lighting 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).
Whitehall Township Tree Lighting
December 4, 2024 6:30 p.m.
Whitehall Township Municipal Building, 3219 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall
You won't want to miss the annual Whitehall Township Tree Lighting at the Whitehall Township Municipal Building as all guests will be treated to a visit from the North Pole.
Pen Argyl Borough Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 2024 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Weona Park (North side - Arch Street entrance) 201 S. Main St., Pen Argyl
Christmas isn't complete without carols, cookies, and Santa! At the Penn Argyl Borough Tree Lighting, you'll get all three in addition to live music performances throughout the evening!
Slatington Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 2024, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, 509 Main St., Slatington
Join vendors in the park for the annual Slatington Tree Lighting Ceremony, complete with vendors, holiday music performances, pictures with Santa, food, and fun.
Hanover Township Tree Light Ceremony
December 6, 2024 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 an illuminated path, arts/crafts, choirs, indoor snowball fight, and more. The Hanover Township Tree Light Ceremony is free.
Forks Township Tree Lighting
December 6, 2024 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 like cookie decorating and Santa’s workshop at the Forks Township Tree Lighting. Santa will arrive for the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Downtown Allentown Tree Lighting Celebration
December 7, 2024 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 at Downtown Allentown Tree Lighting Celebration. 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.
Tree and Bridge Lighting Ceremony
December 7, 2024 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 craft stations, a visit from Santa, food trucks, holiday performances at the Tree and Bridge Lighting Ceremony.
Emmaus’ Old-Fashioned Christmas
December 7, 2024 from 12 - 7 p.m.
Triangle Park, Main St., Emmaus
Get together with your family and friends to celebrate the holiday season at Emmaus’ Old-Fashioned Christmas. There will be many aspects of the event including the Candy Cane Lane with Emmaus Historic Sites, the Cheers Trail with Old Fashioned Christmas, and free admission to The Emmaus Theatre for a showing of The Polar Express!
Nazareth Tree Lighting
December 13, 2024 from 7 - 9 p.m.
Center Circle in the Borough of Nazareth
Nazareth will host the annual Tree Lighting 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 14th, is the very popular Christmas in Nazareth event, which will take place in historic downtown Nazareth, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
For more great holiday happenings in Lehigh Valley, click here.