Christmas at Salem
Join us for a historic Christmas and experience 18th and 19th century holiday traditions, hands-on activities, and even a visit or two from St. Nick!
Christmas Salem Saturdays
Every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, join us for special activities and attractions to ring in the holiday season. All activities are INCLUDED with your general admission ticket, or attend them all with a membership to Old Salem and MESDA!
Holiday general admission tickets are available for sale online beginning November 11.
Tickets for these specialty dates do not have to be purchased in advance and do not sell out. Admission tickets may be purchased on-site at the Visitor Center, Winkler Bakery, or the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA).
- Hands-on activities for young historians will be offered throughout the district. Come make a memory plus something to take home!
- Old Salem members receive 20% off all retail items at Winkler Bakery, the MESDA gift shop, and the Visitor Center
- Tour the historic buildings and experience traditional Moravian Christmas music throughout the district!
- St. Nick is visiting the historic hat shop. Come tell him what you want for Christmas and make sure to get a photo!
- The Moravian Market hosted by the Wachovia Historical Society will be taking place in Salem Square. Enjoy local craft vendors representing the heritage of the Wachovia region, plus get some Christmas shopping done.
- Old Salem members receive 20% off all retail items at Winkler Bakery, the MESDA gift shop, and the Visitor Center
- Tour the historic buildings and experience traditional Moravian Christmas music throughout the district!
- We are partnering with the Moravian Music Foundation, whose grounds will be open for a day of festivities. Join the fun on both sides of the square for a full day of music, history, and holiday cheer.
- Tour the historic buildings and experience traditional Moravian Christmas music throughout the district!
- St. Nick has returned to our historic hat shop. Come tell him what you want for Christmas and make sure to get a photo!
- Hands-on activities for young historians will be offered throughout the district. Come make a memory plus something to take home!
In the Gardens
Hands-On Workshops
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, come prepared to make some fall harvest art! Using seasonal fruits and vegetables as our tools, we will create unique paintings by stamping our own cornucopias. This program is geared towards families with art-loving children, but is open to everyone and fun for all ages.
Join Old Salem photographer Haley Bowers in the gardens of Old Salem and learn how to capture photographs of the winter landscape this holiday season!
Seasonal Exhibits
Visit the Garden Education Center in the Single Brothers’ Workshop to see all of the seasonal Gardens exhibits!
Spices of the World
Have you ever wondered where your favorite holiday spices actually come from? Visit the Garden Education Center to learn more about the routes spices have taken from their native points of origin to a general store in Salem!
Botanical Pyramid
beginning November 4
Check out the botanical elements we have chosen for our Christmas Pyramid in the Garden Education Center to learn about the wild and cultivated plants 18th century Moravians were using for Christmas décor!
Preserving the Autumn Harvest in the Cellar
beginning November 4
Before canning, there was the cellar to stash all your excess produce. Step back in time and see how people in Salem kept and preserved a bountiful fall harvest.
Winter Ecosystems
beginning November 24
Explore a Wachovia Winter Wonderland through nature-themed Christmas décor in the Garden Education Center indoor classroom.
Evergreens for Everyone
November 28, December 12, December 19
Looking for a fun holiday photo? Learn about common winter evergreens around Salem while you interact with our holly-jolly winter-themed photobooth-style props!
*No pets, no flash photography, amateur photography only. For professional photographers, please check out oldsalem.org/photography to acquire a permit.*
Read and Relax: Harvest Season
Escape from autumn breezes and rainy weather and warm up indoors while you read through one of our Garden Education Center Library books. Through the end of the year, our cozy library nook will feature books about fall crops and food preservation.
Partner Events
Old Salem is fortunate to share the historic district with some amazing organizations including the Wachovia Historical Society, Moravian Music Foundation, and Home Moravian Church. See what they are up to this holiday season!
*Please note that Old Salem Museums and Gardens does not own any of these organizations nor events, and all questions about partner events should be directed to the host organization*
Saturday, December 5
Moravian Market
Saturday, December 12
ChristmasFest
December 3-5 and 10-12
Candle Tea