Christmas in Bethlehem
DEC 2, 2023
Bethlehem, NH
This annual holiday festival began in 2009 and returns each year to bring good cheer to residents and visitors alike!
This event, hosted by Bethlehem Events, featured live music, a visit from Santa and the Grinch, complimentary food and drinks, a bonfire, and a spectacular fireworks display, among many other highlights. As the event gears up for December 2023, it’s an excellent way to kick off the Christmas season with the whole family. The festival offers a wholesome, homespun experience with a wide array of nostalgic events, games, entertainment, and food, all provided at no cost. Surrounded by snow-covered balsam trees and boasting stunning views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Mountains, Bethlehem transforms into an old-fashioned Winter Wonderland. The highest elevated town east of the Rockies ensures you can breathe in the crisp mountain air as you enjoy the festivities.
The festival offers various activities and family-friendly events, including a Christmas Fair, an Odd Fellows Pancake Breakfast, open house visits with Santa, a Children’s Christmas Party, craft fairs, ornament painting and felting workshops, live music performances, and a delightful Spaghetti Supper. The day culminates with the Illumination Parade, a new tradition that features a dazzling display of twinkling lights, adding a touch of magic to the event. The parade encourages float participation and vehicle decoration with Christmas lights, and it’s open to everyone, free of charge, though it’s suggested to stay warm inside vehicles due to the cold temperatures typical for the season. Overall, the Christmas in Bethlehem Festival promises a merry and bright experience for all, as it celebrates a new chapter on the cusp of Bethlehem’s 250th birthday, all in the heart of the beautiful North Country.
HELP US KEEP IT FREE
Since its inception in 2009, Christmas in Bethlehem has remained a cherished annual event in Bethlehem, NH. Our focus, as always, remains on creating a family-oriented celebration where every individual can revel in the festivities without the burden of financial concerns or the stress that often accompanies the holidays.
Throughout the years, we’ve been dedicated to keeping this event entirely cost-free, ensuring that families from all walks of life can partake in the magic of the season. This achievement is a testament to the incredible generosity of our local businesses, volunteers, entertainers, and donors. Over the past decade, we’ve been fortunate to foster a community of steadfast supporters who have provided the financial backing necessary to make this heartwarming event possible. It is our hope to kindle the same community spirit that has sustained us in the past.
Behind the scenes, a group of dedicated volunteers invest their time and expertise year after year to make this event a reality. Their selfless dedication is an invaluable contribution in itself. However, we also rely on monetary contributions to ensure that this cherished community event remains accessible to all.
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!
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.
Thank you so much for such a magical event!!! I felt the town spirit the whole night!!
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.
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!
I loved the kindness, joy and happiness everyone I saw was experiencing for having this magical event return!
We happened to be passing through the area last year. We will make this an annual family tradition.
I have never seen so many people in the center of town! We had a blast!
So much Christmas magic! It was like a hallmark movie!