Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites: Music And The Holidays

Press release from Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites:

November 26, 2021

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the music. While I’m never ready to hear Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving weekend, I will be happy to listen to it on repeat for the entirety of the lead up until Christmas. I’m exited that one of our staff members has created a Spotify play list based on the movies from the Cinematic Trees of Historic Bethlehem this year.

Some of my favorites are the classics like “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby or any of the many renditions of Sleigh Ride. But for me it’s not Christmas without the “Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. Don’t forget everyone’s favorite “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the infamous “Mr. Grinch” in the top ten. These are some of the songs I grew up listening to on our record player (I’m really dating myself!). I could stack the records and peruse the album covers while listening and laying on the living room floor next to the Christmas Tree. I would also recall my favorite albums at that time included John Denver and the Muppets where I loved joining in with a hearty “ba-dum-dum” along with Miss Piggy during “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and thoroughly enjoying singing along to my Sesame Street Christmas album – most notable Herry Monster’s “Crashing Through the Snow,” on which he was corrected that it’s actually ‘Dashing’ through the snow.

In the past, I’ve also looked forward to seeing live music during the holiday season. Starting with my children’s school performances and continuing with going Christmas Caroling at care facilities. We’ve seen performances at many local venues in the Lehigh Valley like Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Straight No Chaser (my daughter’s favorite is their “Christmas Can-Can” song).

This year, you can find opportunities to enjoy holiday music throughout the Lehigh Valley during the Christmas season. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites started the season with the Wassail Party which included singing and jingle bells. Two weekends coming up, December 11-12 and 18-19 will bring live music to Christmas in the Quarter celebration at the Colonial Industrial complex.

The Lehigh Valley has many local hubs to look for more musical holiday enjoyment. You can find local music at Godfrey Daniels, The Bach and Handel Chorale, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem/Bel Canto Youth Chorus, and Community Music School. The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown, and Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, all bring in shows and artists from around the country and world. You can find even more by going to the Lehigh Valley Arts Council and sorting events by music on the Arts Calendar or check out Discover Lehigh Valley’s Calendar.

Tara Henninger is the new Marketing Coordinator at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. You’ll find her Rocking Around the Christmas Tree singing along with her favorite songs this time of year.

This press release was produced by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. The views expressed here are the author’s own.