BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Coming off a bustling weekend of holiday atmosphere across town, this week marks more to celebrate, city officials said at the Main-Walnut streets intersection Monday.
This past weekend, Bethlehem kicked off its six-weekend Christmas City Village, Christkindlmarkt opened on the South Side and 800 people joined the Holiday Cocktail Trail, according to Tammy Wendling, senior vice president of Bethlehem initiatives at Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
She said the city’s Historic District was “packed,” too, and Walnut Week, continuing Tuesday through Friday, will help keep the momentum strong heading into the holidays.
The week ahead
Here’s the schedule for Walnut Week:
- Tuesday, Nov. 18: Coalition for Appropriate Transportation will give away 100 bikes to local families as part of its Holiday Bikes initiative at the Walnut Street Garage from 4-7 p.m. CAT is set to move from its current office on West Broad Street and into its new location at the downtown garage’s ground level in mid-December, officials said.
- Wednesday, Nov. 19: A free community wellness event from noon to 1:30 p.m., including a 45-minute yoga-strength fusion class and tea bar, chair massages, giveaways and more to take place on top of the garage (also celebrating incoming garage tenant, Oasis: Community Wellbeing Hub). Reservations are requested.
- Thursday, Nov. 20: Grand opening at new garage at 4 p.m. Parking deals offered.
- Friday, Nov. 21: “Walking on Walnut” from 5 to 7 p.m. will celebrate businesses of the corridor, including food deals at Steak & Steel Hibachi, McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub & Whiskey Bar and The Tavern at the Sun Inn
Christmas City Village, organized by the Downtown Bethlehem Association, began Friday, Nov. 14 and will run through Dec. 21, operating from noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Bethlehem has "an incredible community that shows up, supports local and takes pride in the place we all love.”Tammy Wendling, senior vice president of Bethlehem initiatives at Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Wendling said Bethlehem has “an incredible community that shows up, supports local and takes pride in the place we all love.”
“It’s the best time for our downtown businesses, but also we are reminded what makes Bethlehem so unique,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said.
“That’s how we're stronger together, and we all bring something to the table.”
'More people want to come here'
It’s been 20 months without the former Walnut Street Garage, located just east of Main Street — with its newest edition opening Thursday.
It’ll be taller than its predecessor and offer fewer spots, but will leave room next door for more development.
Addressing the few dozen people gathered outside his business Monday, Neville Gardner said it’s been a pleasure operating in the historic Main Street area for 40 years.
“As a merchant, of course, I’m delighted that the [Walnut Street] parking garage is opening. Two years — it’s been a long time. But you can’t make a cake without breaking eggs."Neville Gardner, owner of Donegal Square Irish and Celtic shop and nearby McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar
“As a merchant, of course, I’m delighted that the parking garage is opening,” said Gardner, owner of Donegal Square Irish and Celtic shop and nearby McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar.
“Two years — it’s been a long time. But you can’t make a cake without breaking eggs."
In 2021, Bethlehem Parking Authority invested about $90,000 in the Downtown Bethlehem Association and Southside Arts District, officials said.
This year, officials said, BPA has invested more than $600,000 into streetlamp upgrades and “beautification efforts” for the holidays across the city and its two downtowns — such as new lights, red bows, garland and Bethlehem Stars on street lamps.
BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said part of the parking revenue is invested back into city infrastructure, programming, public parks and more.
“More people want to come here, and that growing demand is why these investments matter."Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom
“More people want to come here, and that growing demand is why these investments matter," Fernstrom said.
Reynolds said BPA and city officials worked to find how to move long-term parkers off the street and into garages to create turnover for businesses, investing any money made back into public needs.
“What we’re trying to do is regulate parking, because we have a good problem to have: More people want to come downtown than we have places for them to park,” Reynolds said.
“So it’s a systemic problem that we try to solve to be able to help out all of our small businesses, whether or not you're a restaurant or a retailer, or you’re someone that just wants to walk up and down Walnut Street.”
Christmas City USA
Bethlehem’s annual tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Nov. 28.
Wendling said Small Business Saturday will be the next day “because Santa shops local and will put you on the nice list for doing so.”
The city’s live advent calendar is every night from Dec. 1-23 at the Sun Inn courtyard just off Main Street.
The community advent breakfast will take place at 8 a.m. Dec. 6 at Moravian Village on Wood Street.
