Christmas in Bethlehem

This annual holiday festival began in 2009 and returns each year to bring good cheer to residents and visitors alike!

Every December

Held on the first Saturday of December

Bethlehem, New Hampshire

After a three-year hiatus, the well-loved Christmas in Bethlehem celebration returned to downtown Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, and it was a celebration for the books! With record-breaking crowds, the entire community banded together for a full day of holiday cheer, culminating in a completely free evening gathering at Bethlehem Town Hall from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Live music, a visit from Santa and the Grinch, free food and drink, a bonfire and fireworks were only a few of the many highlights of this decade-old community event hosted by Bethlehem Events.

Kick off your Christmas season with a wholesome, homespun holiday festival the whole family will enjoy! Bethlehem means “house of bread” but you won’t need much bread to afford the no-cost nostalgic events, games, entertainment and food on offer. Ringed by snow covered balsams and stunning views of Mount Washington and the Presidentials, breathe in the clear mountain air of the highest elevated town east of the Rockies while the quaint Main Street becomes an old-fashioned Winter Wonderland. Your days will be merry and bright as you join us as “the magic returns” to the North Country!

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CHECK OUT THE EVENT MAP

Click on the various markers to learn more about the event times and locations.

What People Say

Huge thanks to the Bethlehem Events Committee and business owners for all the time, effort, volunteer work, and spirit put into the Christmas in Bethlehem today! We thoroughly enjoyed spending the day all over town for breakfast, supper, cookie tours, music, parade, fireworks, crafting projects and so, so much more sponsored and provided by our local town store owners, restaurants, and offices! We had a blast and I saw many faces, young and old, who were also having a great time! This is an awesome little community and we feel so proud to be a part of it!

K. K.

What an amazing day. Thank you to every single person, non-profit, and business that contributed to making today’s Bethlehem Christmas the best yet! Bethlehem events did an amazing job. The number of hours and volunteers behind today’s event is amazing. I wish I had a list to thank everyone personally. What a great day, and what a nice tribute and community award given to our beloved Clare Brown.

C. M.

Despite the rain and cold, our hearts were warmed by the hospitality and holiday spirit that surrounded us during the Christmas in Bethlehem festivities. From inn tours to great shopping and from crafts to the tree lighting, Christmas in Bethlehem is a day we’ll remember and look forward to for next year.

B. B.

On Christmas In Bethlehem day, I was in the library with the children who were many and having a ball! One of the parents said to me — ‘I wonder if everyone knows how much this day means to the children and the parents. We are making lifetime memories with them. Please thank everyone for this wonderful day!’ — So I pass this on to all of you for a job well done!

E. G.

Thank you so much for such a magical event!!! I felt the town spirit the whole night!!

M. H.

I loved the kindness, joy and happiness everyone I saw was experiencing for having this magical event return!

M. B.

I have never seen so many people in the center of town! We had a blast!

P. R.

We happened to be passing through the area last year. We will make this an annual family tradition.

M. G.

So much Christmas magic! It was like a hallmark movie!

A. W.