Free Family Activities in Bethlehem PA
April 17, 2027: 10 AM-4 PM Enjoy a day of free, family-friendly fun in Bethlehem, where 18th-century history comes to life.
Thank you to everyone who attended Community Heritage Day and to all the demonstrators and event volunteers!
Save the date for Community Heritage Day 2027 – We are already making plans to see you in the Colonial Industrial Quarter on Saturday April 17, 2027!
Enjoy a day of free, family-friendly fun in Bethlehem, where 18th-century history comes to life at Community Heritage Day on April 18. Held in the Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ), this event transforms the historic site into a working early American community, where visitors can experience the trades, routines and atmosphere that shaped one of the nation’s first industrial centers and made the community so important during the American Revolution.
Throughout the day, the area will be filled with sights and sounds from the past, from tools at work to demonstrations that reflect daily life in the 1700s. Visitors can walk through historic buildings, see how goods were made by hand and discover the systems that kept the early Bethlehem community running. The event focuses on the early Moravian people and their role in building a structured, innovative settlement grounded in shared labor, craftsmanship and daily discipline. By bringing these elements together in one place, Community Heritage Day offers a clear look at how Bethlehem developed and what life looked like 250 years ago.
This historic day of family fun, which takes place on the International Day for Monuments & Sites, makes an excellent day trip option for families from New York City and Philadelphia.
What can you do at this free family event?
At Community Heritage Day, visitors can enjoy a full day of fun activities and exploration in Historic Bethlehem. The event is designed to appeal to all ages, with tours such as the new Bethlehem & The Revolution and demonstrations that will entertain and enrich young and old alike.
Children can use their free “Past-Port” as a guide to meet early Moravians, Revolutionary War soldiers and craftsmen such as the blacksmith and the leather worker, all while exploring the bustling early American atmosphere.
Looking for hands-on fun? Get the kids the All-Activity Pass, unlocking a day filled with adventure as they explore 18th-century crafts and trades through tin punching, creating a clay pinch pot and making a leather keychain. They’ll leave with their very own keepsakes, including a leather key fob, punched tin trinket and more!
Attendees can also go inside the CIQ buildings, including the newly restored 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House; 1869 Luckenbach Mill; and the 1762 Waterworks, the nation’s first pumped municipal water system, where you’ll see the 18-foot waterwheel in motion.
Capping it all off are live music, food trucks, an old-fashioned bake sale and the opportunity to get your antiques and collectibles appraised by the professionals at the Antique Treasure Show (ticket required).
Event Location
The Colonial Industrial Quarter is located at 459 Old York Road in Bethlehem, PA 18018
Event Date & Times
Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM-4 PM
Tickets & Pricing
Admission to the event is free, but some activities such as the walking tours and Antique Treasure Show appraisals require a ticket.
The Colonial Industrial Quarter
Home to approximately 35 crafts, trades and industries by the mid-1750s, the Colonial Industrial Quarter in Bethlehem is widely regarded as one of the first industrial centers in the nation. Today, the 10-acre site and its collection of well-preserved 18th-century buildings are an integral component of Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem, the United States’ newest World Heritage Site. Among these buildings are the 1762 Waterworks; the 1761 Tannery, the only extant 18th-century Moravian industrial building in the world; and the 1750 Smithy, a working blacksmith shop reconstructed on the site of Bethlehem’s original Smithy.
Tour Schedule – Special Half Price Tours!
All tours will be leaving from the 1869 Luckenbach Mill. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $6 for Children under 12.
- 10 AM: Bethlehem & The Revolution
- 11 AM: Birthplace of Industry
- 12 PM: Old Bethlehem Walking Tour
- 1 PM: Bethlehem & The Revolution
- 2 PM: Birthplace of Industry
- 3 PM: Old Bethlehem Walking Tour
Activities Schedule
Tannery Stage
- 10 AM – 1 PM: Antique Treasure Show
- 1 PM: Noah Lewis “Patriots of Color”
- Experience the true story of Ned Hector, Black Revolutionary War Hero, as presented by Noah Lewis.
- 2:15 PM: Tom Storm “The B-Side of History”
- Take a musical time-travel journey with Tom Storm! Tom’s music covers the centuries and tells stories of the rise of industrialization.
Luckenbach Mill Activities
- 10:30 AM: Announcement of Baking Contest Finalists (outside Luckenbach Mill)
- 12 PM – 2 PM: Book Signing The Bookmark with author Anne Supsic
Black Powder Demonstrations
Black Powder demonstrations will take place along the Monocacy Creek.
- 11 AM: Black Powder Demonstration
- 1 PM: Black Powder Demonstration
- 3 PM: Black Powder Demonstration
Enter the Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge
Calling all bakers! Share your skills and talents with the community while enjoying the opportunity to win great prizes. In the Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge, bakers will demonstrate their baking prowess over two rounds of competition and highlight how culinary traditions are a thread that connects us beyond the dinner table. A team of professional judges including Richard Groman from iconic local bakery Groman’s will taste and judge all entries based on: Flavor (40 points), Appearance (25 points), Texture (25 points) and Story Behind the Recipe (10 points).
Antique Treasure Show
Discover what your curious family treasures are really worth at Antique Treasure Show! Professional appraisers, such as Heino Koberg of Saucon Valley Auction Company, will conduct both walk-up and in-depth appraisals at Community Heritage Day between 10 AM and 1 PM. Even if you don’t have a treasure to share, you will enjoy watching the appraisers and hearing details of the intriguing finds in your neighbors’ attics. Appraisals are limited, so sign up today!
In-Depth Appraisals are $40 for Non-Members and $30 for HBMS Members. Casual Appraisals are $25 for Non-Members and $20 for HBMS Members.
Heritage Volunteer Corps
Do you enjoy history? Would you like to learn more about your community and share that knowledge with others? If so, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Heritage Volunteer Corps is for you!
This new volunteer group will support events like Community Heritage Day and Blueberry Festival by helping with living history activities that you can share with others. Fun, hands-on training provided. Step back in time with HBMS and help us share the unique stories of our community with visitors. Period attire welcome but not required.
For more information, please contact Beth Beatty or Charlotte Filiciotto.
Community Heritage Day featured in the news
Plan Your Visit: FAQs
Where should I park?
Public parking is available throughout downtown Bethlehem, including several parking garages. Visit the Bethlehem Parking Authority for a complete list of parking options. The Colonial Industrial Quarter’s walking paths are gravel, but are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Is the site ADA accessible?
There is limited parking for persons with disabilities at the Luckenbach Mill, 459 Old York Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Are all of the activities free?
Admission and many of the activities are free, but select activities such as the walking tours and Antique Treasure Show appraisals require a ticket.
How long should I plan for?
This is an all-day event with plenty of activities, tours and demonstrations for the whole family. We recommend you allow at least 2-4 hours for a visit.
What food is available?
Community Heritage Day features food trucks, an old-fashioned bake sale and the Springhouse Tavern, where ages 21 and older can enjoy a variety of beverages, including offerings from Christmas City Spirits, Black River Farms wines, Bucktail Cider and local brews from Banko Beverage.
