3 Magical Holiday Getaways in Pennsylvania

Moravian settlers named Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1741, and the city has carried the "Christmas City" title with pride ever since. Today its Christkindlmarkt has earned a spot among the country's best holiday markets, with recognition from USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice and Travel + Leisure. If your holiday wish list includes handcrafted gifts, historic streets and an overnight worth dressing up for, this trip is for you. 

Start Among the Market Stalls 

Your first stop sits beneath a skyline of steel, not steeples. At Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, the former Bethlehem Steel site becomes the setting for a holiday shopping excursion with considerably more character than a mall run. Browse artisan-made gifts and give yourself time to find something you weren’t looking for. 

The 2026 market runs on select dates from Nov. 13 through Dec. 20. Check the calendar before choosing your weekend and book admission in advance. 

Cross into Christmas City’s Historic Heart 

Christkindlmarkt and historic downtown Bethlehem are separate stops, so save at least part of the day (or a whole other one) for Main Street. Trade the market crowds for storefront browsing, then let someone else tell the stories behind the scenery. 

A guided Christmas City Stroll adds local history to the holiday atmosphere. For another way to explore, look into the Trees of Historic Bethlehem, a seasonal display spread across historic sites. Choose one experience rather than trying to squeeze every tour into the same afternoon. 

Sight the Star of Bethlehem 

Look to South Mountain, where the Bethlehem Star shines over the city. The Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour offers a view of the star and explains why north Bethlehem glows with white lights while the SouthSide uses colored ones.  

You can keep gazing at stars (and even take one home) from the iconic Moravian Book Shop on Main Street. Known as the country's oldest continually operating bookstore, its shelves are filled with Moravian stars and holiday décor that make easy keepsakes.

Overnight Right on Main Street 

Check into Historic Hotel Bethlehem, where the setting keeps you close to downtown wandering. Reserve dinner through the hotel’s dining venues, then make an evening of it: a proper meal, a stroll along Main Street and no drive home afterward. 

The next morning belongs to anything you passed the first time. Revisit a shop, linger over breakfast, and take one more walk before Christmas City becomes one of your favorite holiday memories. 

Jimmy Stewart’s hometown puts its own spin on holiday movie magic. In Indiana, a visit to the museum bearing his name pairs with a downtown celebration full of lights and an excursion to a Christmas tree farm. 

Find Your Own Wonderful Life Downtown 

Downtown Indiana turns holiday movie nostalgia into a hometown celebration. The annual It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, from Nov. 20 - Dec. 19, brings holiday lights, a parade and seasonal festivities to the streets from November through December. Plan around the kickoff celebration or choose a holiday weekend to explore the decorated streets and browse local shops. Check the festival calendar before you go, then leave room for the kind of small-town wandering that doesn’t need a schedule. 

Step Into the Story  

At the Jimmy Stewart Museum, the holiday visit comes with a few familiar movie references. Browse the It’s a Wonderful Life exhibit, pose for “Lasso the Moon” and “Earn Your Wings” photos and explore the themed Christmas trees. Even the gift shop gets in on the storytelling: it’s called the Shop Around the Corner. 

See the Christmas Tree Capital of the World 

The area’s claim to Christmas fame goes beyond the big screen. Indiana County earned the nickname "Christmas Tree Capital of the World" in 1956, when an estimated 700,000 trees were cut here. That evergreen heritage still sets the scene each holiday season, and you can see it in the 30-foot-plus live Christmas tree that anchors IRMC Park downtown. If you have time, road trip to a nearby tree farm stop for a fresh-cut fir, a wreath or a photo among the rows. 

Stay Somewhere Historic 

Carry the small-town charm into your overnight at Dillweed Bed & Breakfast in nearby Dilltown. Built by the Dill family, this turn-of-the-century home offers four guest rooms and a garden suite, with a central sitting parlor for unwinding after the holiday festivities. Before heading home, browse the attached two-floor Trailside Shop or explore a stretch of the Ghost Town Trail, just steps away. 

For friends, couples and families who want their holiday shopping with a city-sized helping of adventure, Philadelphia is the place to go. This festive getaway works best with a little momentum: something delicious to start, gifts you won’t find everywhere and enough time to see the lights after dark. 

First, Fuel the Browsing 

Begin at Reading Terminal Market, where local vendors serve up a true taste of Philadelphia, from roast pork sandwiches to soft pretzels. Let everyone follow their appetite for breakfast or lunch, then regroup before heading toward City Hall. Save a little room, because the Christmas Village ahead has its own lineup of bites, from warm strudel to roasted nuts.

Find Something Worth Wrapping 

At the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, local makers bring their work to Dilworth Park. Browse with someone specific in mind, whether that’s a hard-to-shop-for sibling or the friend who always finds the best gifts. 

The 2026 market runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 1, 2027, with a Christmas Day closure. Admission is free. 

Then continue to Christmas Village in Philadelphia, spread across LOVE Park and City Hall. The German-style market brings another shopping experience into the afternoon, with wooden booths, mulled wine and seasonal treats encouraging plenty of stops along the way. 

Christmas Village runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 27, 2026, with closures Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 25. Check the daily schedule when planning your visit. 

Take a Spin Beneath City Hall 

Trade shopping bags for skates at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park. With City Hall towering above and holiday lights all around, an evening on the ice gives your market outing a playful finish. Skate rentals are available, so there’s no extra gear to pack. Whether you glide through every turn or laugh your way around the edges, leave time for a few more laps. 

Stay Close to the Holiday Action in Center City 

Turn your market outing into an overnight at The Notary Hotel, housed in the former City Hall Annex, which opened in 1926. Its North Juniper Street location puts you steps from City Hall and Dilworth Park, with LOVE Park and Reading Terminal Market nearby. 

Make Time for the Miracle on South 13th Street 

If you have extra time, head to South Philadelphia for the Miracle on South 13th Street. Neighbors on the 1600 block of South 13th Street transform their rowhouses into a dazzling, over-the-top display of holiday lights. It's a free, family-friendly stop that feels like a block party. Evenings are the best time to visit, so plan it after dinner. Check the organizers' Facebook page for 2026 hours. 

Whichever getaway you choose, bring your holiday spirit and leave time to wander off your itinerary toward more holiday magic across Pennsylvania.