What's New in Old Salem this Holiday Season

The Kurtts family knows the holiday season has officially started when they all hop in the car for their annual visit to Old Salem. “Old Salem is always beautiful, but there’s something really magical about it this time of year,” says Nicole, who appreciates the outing because it has something special for everyone in their family. 

“Our 3-year-old loves the sweet, sticky Moravian sugar cakes from Winkler’s Bakery, and our 10-year-old looks forward to the horse-drawn carriage rides through the neighborhood,” she adds. “I leave inspired by all the beautiful festive greenery and decorations.” 

Whether the little ones in your family are looking forward to a visit with Santa, the gift-givers among you are ready to shop, or you’re ready to slow down and take a moment to experience the peace and joy of traditional Moravian Christmas music, there’s an Old Salem event you’ll want to add to your December schedule. Read on for a roundup of holiday festivals and events.

Salem Saturdays at Christmas

Throughout the year, monthly Salem Saturdays welcome visitors to meander Old Salem’s charming cobblestone streets, explore its historic buildings, and get a sense of daily life 260+ years ago. Each Salem Saturday is focused on seasonal activities, and the focus shifts to holiday programming beginning in mid-November when the historic district begins holding its much-anticipated Salem Saturdays at Christmas event. Here’s a look at some additional holiday highlights happening in conjunction with Salem Saturdays: 

• Dec. 2 - Moravian Market on the Square (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)  Hosted by the Wachovia Historical Society (WHS), this holiday celebration spotlights Moravian crafts and culture.  On the sidewalks in front of Single Brothers House, local craftspeople and pop-up vendors sell food, art, jewelry, and other gifts representing the Moravian culture and tradition. Shoppers are serenaded by tunes from the Salem Brass Band as they browse the handcrafted holiday items, watch craft demonstrations, and enjoy tasty eats and drinks. Admission is free. For more details, including a look at participating vendors and artist, visit WachoviaHistoricalSociety.org
   
• Dec. 9, 23 - Christmas from a Child’s Perspective (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)  While Salem Saturdays are always family-friendly, these two dates in December will feature programming that's centered around Christmas from a child’s eyes. Experiences geared to ages 4 through 14 include hands-on activities, demonstrations, and historical games for children. Pay a visit to Santa at the Hat Shop on Main Street from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For access to all Salem Saturday activities and experiences, purchase an all-in-one ticket. Click here for more details.
   
• Dec. 16 - ChristmasFest (10 a.m.–8 p.m.): In the spirit of traditional German Christmas markets, this second-year event is all about Moravian music. Christmas carols will ring out throughout Old Salem, performed by a variety of choirs, bands, brass ensembles, and more. Most of the activities will unfold outside the Archie K Davis Center (457 S. Church St.), home of the event's presenting host, the Moravian Music Foundation. In addition to music, enjoy holiday gift shopping, artist demonstrations, food/drink vendors, and a variety of kid-friendly activities -- from cookie decorating to candle-trimming and more. (Rumor has it a certain someone in red will also be making an appearance.) Parking and admission is free. For more details, go to moravianmusic.org/christmasfest

Lantern Light Tours

Back by popular demand this holiday season is Old Salem’s nighttime holiday tours, which have been reimagined as “The Joy of Christmas Evening Tours.” Even little ones get to carry a lantern (battery-lit!) on this guided tour that starts at the historic Boys School on South Main Street. From there, groups of 10 are treated to a walk filled with storytelling and stops at favorite Old Salem destinations, including the recently reopened 1784 Tavern Museum and the 1819 John Vogler House. Homes with candlelit windows and sprigs of greenery add to the sense of holiday wonder.
 
Tours are held Friday and Saturday evenings from Dec 1-16 and last around an hour. Activities change from year to year, so families who make this event a part of their annual traditions have an all-new experience every time they visit. 

“This year, we’ll make the traditional Moravian springerle cookie ornaments,” says Tara Logue, director of education for Old Salem Museum & Gardens.  “If weather permits, we’ll also have some storytelling around a campfire — and carol singing.” 

Tickets are $60 for adults, $35 for students, and free for kids 3 and under. For more details or to reserve a time slot, go here.

Home Moravian’s Candle Tea

Held at the Single Brothers House for nearly a century, Candle Tea is a long-held tradition for many families who associate the event with the joyful anticipation of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Hosted by Home Moravian Church, this year’s Candle Tea will be Nov. 29 – Dec. 9, with tours running every 15 minutes beginning in the early afternoon and ending at 8:30 p.m. (most evenings).

And surprisingly enough (at least to first-time visitors), no tea is actually served at the Candle Tea. Instead, guests travel room-to-room in small groups, experiencing different Moravian traditions. Activities include Christmas carols played on a historic organ, candle-making demonstrations, and sampling of Moravian coffee and sugar cake. The tour’s grand finale occurs in the sub-basement of the Single Brothers House, where guests get an up-close look at "The Putz” — a mini replica of Salem as it looked more than a century ago on a snowy Christmas Eve.

Reservations and tickets are required. For more details, including tour hours, ticket costs, and special activities, visit the Candle Tea website here.

Old Salem Bucket List: 5 must-dos this holiday season 

1. Stargaze on Old Salem's Heritage Bridge, arguably the most Instagram-able spot in the city.
2. Pick up some fresh-baked treats from Winkler Bakery. (Sugar cakes, Moravian cookies, lovefeast buns -- and more!)
3. Holiday shop in Old Salem's newest retail outlet, Winkler Book & Gift Shop, just above Winkler Bakery. 
4. Stop by the Visitor Center to hear Christmas carols played on the 1800 Tannenberg organ, one of the rarest and most revered organs in the world.
5. Scope out some of the uniquely Moravian decor items bedecking the historic district, from Putz displays to Christmas pyramids (below) to a 110-point Moravian star. 

For information on all the holiday happenings at Old Salem Museum & Gardens, go to oldsalem.org/holidays