Articles, activities for boomers & seniors
Winter Light Spectacular
Friday November 10 – Sunday December 31, 2017, Lehigh Valley Zoo, as well as presenting sponsor Christmas Decor, will kick off its third season of Winter Light Spectacular on Friday, November 10. Last season, the popular nighttime fundraiser for the Zoo attracted over 46,000 guests across 35 event nights. Winter Light Spectacular runs 5:30 – 10:00 PM on Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 10 to Dec. 31. The event will be on break for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony
The official kick-off to Bethlehem’s Christmas season, The Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony is held every year on the day after Thanksgiving. Hosted by Mayor Bob Donchez, this year’s ceremony will be held Friday, November 24th at 4:30pm on Payrow Plaza outside of the Bethlehem Public Library. With musical performances from The LHS Grenadier Band, Cunningham and Associates, Luke DiGiacinto and more, this event has turned into one of the most popular events of the season.
A Short History of Pip the Mouse
The holiday puppet show, The Mouse Before Christmas, was created by Dr. George R. Creegan, and made its world premiere at Hess’s Department Store in Allentown on Saturday, October 27, 1962. The puppet show stage was placed in the front window on Hamilton Street and delighted thousands of people of all ages. Volunteers from Civic Theater of Allentown restored the puppet show stage in 2001-2002, and then when ADIDA was deactivated in 2003, Pip, the stage and props all were given to the Liberty Bell Museum, The museum restored and digitized the original audio soundtrack and has presented the traditional Mouse Before Christmas puppet show to thousands of visitors during the holiday season each year since 2003. Although the Creegan Company produced stages for 15 department stores across the country in the 1960s, we have the only surviving stage and puppet show. For info go to libertybellmuseum.org/pip-the-mouse
Christkindlmarkt
This is a classic Lehigh Valley tradition. The outdoor market features vendors, craftsmen and artisans from all over the country. Find unique gifts, enjoy a hot cocoa and visit with Santa! Located at the Steel Stacks in South Bethlehem. 2017 Dates Nov. 17-19 and 24-26; Nov. 30-Dec. 3 Dec. 7-10, 14-17 & 21-23 101 Founders Way Bethlehem, PA 18015, for info go to: christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt/event-info/
Single day passes or season passes available, see website for rates. Lot available, Stroller Friendly, Handicap Accessible
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Christmas Village provides the greatest Christmas display in the U.S., located just outside Lehigh Valley. Find yourself in a dazzling valley set aglow with more Christmas lights than you have ever seen before. Adding to the magnificent beauty is the spectacular reflection of those thousands and thousands of lights in the lake situated directly in front of the main house. It has received many awards in its long history including “Best Outdoor Display in the World” and the “Award of Excellence as one of the Top Ten Travel Attractions in Pennsylvania.” Dates of Operation: Season Opening: November 4, 2017 - Jan 1, 2018. See website: koziarschristmasvillage.com for details