Holiday Fun at Old Salem
By Anne C
Looking for a great way to take a break from the stress and hustle and bustle of the holidays and reconnect with the “fun” part of the Christmas season? I’ve got the answer! Old Salem Museums and Gardens’ annual Salem Christmas event always gets me in the holiday spirit. It’s a full day of fun activities geared towards all ages. This year, Salem Christmas is taking place this Saturday, December 8 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. So, I suggest putting aside those holiday tasks and heading on over to Old Salem!
There are numerous activities going on all day, including holiday cooking, wagon rides, games, hands-on activities including making marzipan treats as well as gunsmithing and rifle firing demonstrations. Kids love the puppet shows, which are really entertaining, there’s just lots for everyone to enjoy.
We also love the music—which is being played all day long all around the historic district. The Singing Sisters take part in the Tannenberg Organ Carol Sing at the Visitor Center and the Moravian Brass Band plays all around the town. In St. Philips African Moravian Church there’s a Soulful Christmas concert, which features local artists singing holiday carols with a Motown sound, doesn’t get more fun than that!
And I always take some time to knock out a little holiday shopping at the numerous stores at Old Salem. There are lots of gifts, from stocking stuffers to hostess gifts to larger gifts for those hard to shop for people on my list. They have unique gifts that are perfect for family and friends near and far.
At the end of the day, we love to gather on Salem Square for the lighting of the Christmas Pyramid and Carol sing, which starts at about 5:15pm. It’s a beautiful experience and we always leave with a happy heart. I never knew about the tradition of the Christmas Pyramid before my first trip toSalem Christmas. Apparently, the idea of the pyramid as a holiday decoration started in Italy and then made its way north to Germany. For years, it was the primary decoration for holiday homes in that country. Small candles and greenery were used to adorn a wooden pyramid with shelves of graduated sizes. Gradually, the tree also became part of the holiday decorations but did not completely supplant the pyramid. For generations both the tree and the pyramid were used side-by-side in German homes. The pyramid in Salem Square is large and beautiful and earlier in the afternoon, visitors can help decorate it. I love ending the day by the pyramid—aglow with light as everyone is singing carols.
Plan to visit Old Salem this weekend and enjoy Salem Christmas!
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