Holidays 2022

The 2022 Holiday Programming runs from Wednesday, November 16 to Saturday, December 31.

Scroll down to find details of the 2022 Salem Saturdays at Christmas and Salem Night!

Salem Saturdays at Christmas

10AM – 4PM on November 19th & 26th, December 3rd, 10th, & 31st, 2022

Join us in Old Salem this holiday season! Learn how the historical town of Salem created an environment of celebration and reflection in the solitude of this rural landscape. A Moravian Christmas in North Carolina has a distinctive southern quality. A slight nip in the air, an abundance of greenery, the intricate putz, decorated pyramid trees, and of course baked treats from Winkler Bakery make for a unique learning experience.

Purchase Advance Holiday All-In-One Tickets Here!

During the holidays, we invite you to experience:

Heritage Bridge Take a walk under the stars on one of Old Salem’s most photographed features, the Heritage Bridge. The cascading Moravian stars provide a wonderful welcome to the historic district.

The Visitors Center Enjoy the new exhibits and shop for a souvenir at Stockberger Supply.

The Frank L. Horton Museum Center (including The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) See objects made and used by the diverse craftspeople of the early American South, including the beautiful pieces made by the Moravians, and shop for books at F. L. Horton Bookseller that features a wide variety of books related to decorative arts of the American South.

The Blum House Joinery Workshop See how historical woodworking was done in the town of Salem and the craftsmanship that made the Moravian trades shops famous.

Potter’s Workshop at T. Bagge Chocolate cups and toys are the order of the day at the Pottery in Old Salem. Learn about Salem’s pottery history while seeing our talented potters at work.

The Single Brothers’ House This building was home to many of Salem’s boys and men. As a combination of a dormitory and a trades hall, it offers an intimate perspective on Moravian culture, faith, and daily life. Experience the lifestyle of a congregation community while learning about the trades, tasks, and shenanigans of many of Salem’s real historical people.

Miksch House & Garden Observe how a family celebrated Christmas in the early days of Salem. Painted illuminations tell the story of Christmas. Intricately carved cookie molds make their annual appearance. Lamps, lanterns, and candles used to light the dark days of winter are demonstrated.

The Boys’ School Children in Salem went to school just like children today. Learn about education in Salem, as well as Christmas traditions such as the pyramid, the putz, and the beloved Moravian Star. Musical performances and historical games will also be featured this holiday season.

The Butner Hat Shop Your children can visit St. Nick’s workshop from 10:30AM to 12:30PM and 1:00PM to 3:00PM, tell him what they want for Christmas while you snap a photo! (excluding December 31)

Seed Saving Lab The gardens in Salem are always at work. Learn how gardens support the community, what is growing in the gardens at this time of the year, and how the seeds tell stories.  

The Doctor’s House Explore the history of Moravian medicine and examine the contributions of African and Cherokee people to the health of those in and around Salem. Experience the trimmings of yuletide in one of Salem’s largest family homes. From wintertime tonics to seasonal hearth cooking, this early 19^th century home and apothecary is sure to be a treat.

Winkler Bakery Always a “must do,” enjoy a visit at Winkler where Sister Deb will share the bakery’s history, including the beehive oven. Our famous sugar cake, cookies, and lovefeast buns will be available for purchase (along with lot of other sweet things).

Moravian Book & Gift The store will be humming with the sights and sounds of Christmas, including local crafts, gifts, ornaments and décor. Pick up some Christmas presents while you’re there!

Muddy Creek Café Soups, salads, and sandwiches make for a great lunch.

Purchase Advance Holiday All-In-One Tickets Here!

Please Note: Horse and buggy rides in the historic district are provided by Heritage Carriage Rides. Tickets are sold separately. Tickets to Old Salem and MESDA do not include the rides. For information regarding the Heritage Carriage Rides schedules and prices, please call 336-784-8419.

Salem Night (SOLD OUT)

1PM – 7PM on Saturday, December 17th, 2022

Salem Night at Old Salem is the time to slow down, leave the busy holiday season behind and reflect on family & friends. Join us for this once-a-season special candlelight evening of open, warm, and inviting Christmas experiences. From music in the Single Brothers House, to children’s games in the Boy’s School, baking in the beehive oven in the Winkler Bakery, and the smell of hearth cooking at the Doctor’s house. The historic district will be alive with the festive presence of the holiday. This is a perfect opportunity to bring visiting family to make a Christmas season tradition. Our retail stores will be open for any last-minute gifts you may need (Or save some sugar cake for yourself). TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.

This event requires pre-booked tickets for admission, separate from an annual Old Salem Membership. Tickets are sold out for this event, and tickets will not be available for sale on the day of the event.

Salem Night ticket holders can park their cars at the Old Salem Visitor Center located at 900 Old Salem Rd. Additional parking is available on Main Street, in the gravel lots on Salt Street, and behind the Salem Tavern Annex (former Tavern Restaurant).

On Salem Night, we invite ticket holders to enjoy:

The Visitors Center Enjoy the new exhibits and shop for a souvenir at Stockberger Supply. Enjoy organ music in the Gray Auditorium from 5:00PM to 6:00PM.

Frank L. Horton Museum Center Enjoy special presentations at MESDA throughout the day. Details here.

The Blum House Joinery Workshop Sit and enjoy the fire, see how traditional wooden toys were made on the turner’s lathe and experience the magic of how a block of wood makes its journey to being a beautiful object full of memory.

Potter’s Workshop at T. Bagge Always an exciting time in our pottery workshop. And which pottery is most festive for the holidays? Hot chocolate cups of course! Come see how pottery was made in early Salem and which clay creations would have caught a child’s imagination during the season of toys and cheer.

Moravian Book & Gift Squeeze in your last minute Christmas shopping with local crafts, gifts, ornaments and décor, right here, in the historic district. Special Christmas music performance by Fraidy Cats from 3:30PM to 5:30PM.

Single Brothers’ House Join us in the Saal gathering room to listen to Christmas hymns, organ demonstrations, and other festive music. See how the Moravian single brothers prepared for the winter season (and kept warm) in the 1700’s. Enjoy traditional music performed by Swing Set Band from 1:00PM to 2:30PM, and performance by Appalachian Strings from 3:00PM to 4:30PM at the Saal.

Miksch House & Gardens Come on up to the house, and see how the earliest family homes in Salem celebrated Christmas. Traditional molded cookies and painted illuminations will be just the thing for a heartwarming evening.

The Boys’ School School’s out! But you can still experience the Cabinet of Curiosities while you listen to a selection of Moravian music. See what kind of games would have occupied children and families in the historical town of Salem.

Winkler Bakery Visit Winkler Bakery and see the beehive oven in action, Grab some of our festive baked treats, cookies, lovefeast buns, and breads to take home and enjoy with the family.

The Butner Hat Shop Your children can visit St. Nick’s workshop from 1:30PM to 3:00PM and 3:45PM to 7:00PM, tell him what they want for Christmas while you snap a photo!

Seed Saving Lab The gardens in Salem are always at work. Learn how gardens support the community, what is growing in the gardens at this time of the year, and how the seeds tell stories.  

The Doctor’s House Come see a Christmas Putz, the ancestor of the modern Christmas village displays. Gather hearthside for a demonstration of cooking a seasonal meal. And what would the Doctor be up to in the Winter months? Treating seasonal ailments with tonics of all sorts for Wintertime healthcare.

Moravian Brass Band Enjoy wonderful music full of Christmas spirit brought by Moravian Brass Band on Main Street from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.

Horse & Buggy rides Festive evening rides will be available with a separate purchase. For information about schedules and prices, please contact the Heritage Carriage Rides (336-784-8419).

Muddy Creek Café A hot Moravian chicken pie dinner is the special for the evening while Muddy Creek Café extends their hours for the festivities. Open until 7 pm with beer, wine, and craft sodas for all your crew’s mealtime hankerings.