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Arts & Culture

Bethlehem's live Advent calendar returns with a Dickensian flare

The town crier calls.jpg
Elizabeth Reeves
/
Strong Mountain Media
Town criers rang bells and invited visitors to gather around the Goundie House.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A traditional immersive Christmas experience is returning to Bethlehem in December, with a new layer this year.

  • Live Advent Calendar is coming back to Bethlehem for the holiday season
  • The event features immersive theatrical performances and special treats
  • There will be costumed actors performing a Dickens-style script on Main Street in Bethlehem

Live Advent Calendar, a family-friendly event hosted by Downtown Bethlehem, Touchstone Theater and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites this year, is going to bring some performances and little treats to the Christmas City this holiday season.
But this Christmas is a little different: for the first time in its 14-year history, the event will feature costumed actors who will move up and down Main Street while performing a script written in the style of Charles Dickens.

“This year will be an extra special production to really give everyone that old-timey Christmas feeling.”
Kelly Smith, Downtown Bethlehem Association manager

“This year will be an extra special production to really give everyone that old-timey Christmas feeling,” Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA) Manager Kelly Smith said in a news release.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and running daily through Dec. 23, some “town criers” will ring bells and invite visitors to gather around the Goundie House located at 501 Main St., the oldest building on Main Street.

A child knocks on the door.jpg
Elizabeth Reeves
/
Strong Mountain Media
A child from the crowd knocked on the door as part of the event.

After that, a child from the audience will be picked to knock on the door, and participants are welcome to enjoy a performance. The program will last about 10-15 minutes.

Local businesses and community organizations from the Historic District will then distribute special treats to the visitors.

Check out the Visit Historic Bethlehem website for the Live Advent Calendar schedule.