Moravian Holiday Traditions in Winston-Salem

  
In Winston-Salem, Christmas comes with a few traditions you won’t find in most cities: glowing Moravian stars, candlelit lovefeasts, and sugar cake worth planning a stop around. These customs are part of the city’s Moravian heritage, and they give the holidays a character all their own.

Old Salem is a natural starting point, with historic streets dressed in greenery and experiences that bring centuries-old celebrations to life. But the traditions extend well beyond the village. Here’s how to sample them this season.

Old Salem: Your Holiday Headquarters

A visit to Old Salem Museums & Gardens offers a glimpse of the community founded by German-speaking Moravians in 1766. During the holidays, period decorations, traditional music, and hands-on experiences reveal how Salem’s early residents celebrated Christmas. “People often tell us that it doesn’t feel like Christmas until they come to Old Salem,” says Deborah Sikes, known as “Sister Deb,” a historic interpreter at Winkler Bakery.

A general admission ticket opens the doors to historic buildings, craft demonstrations, and conversations with costumed interpreters. Before heading into the village, pause on the Heritage Bridge, where glowing Moravian stars make one of the city’s most memorable holiday photo stops. Find schedules and ticket links on Old Salem's Christmas page.

Special Old Salem Experiences

►Salem Saturdays at Christmas bring extra cheer on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19, with seasonal activities, trade demonstrations, and visits from St. Nick on select dates. Activities are included with general admission ($30 adults; $16 students). Advance tickets aren’t required, and admission doesn’t sell out. Several Saturdays coincide with independently hosted celebrations, including the Moravian Market and ChristmasFest, highlighted later in the story.

►Joy of Christmas Evening Tours offer another way to experience the season on Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 27–Dec. 19. Storytelling and hands-on activities at the Miksch House, Vogler House, and Single Brothers’ Workshop explore how Moravian Christmas traditions changed over time. Tours depart every 15 minutes from 6:30–7:45 p.m. and require separate tickets ($60 adults; $40 students). Reserve ahead and wear comfortable shoes for the partially outdoor walking tour.

►In the gardens, stop inside the Garden Education Center at the Single Brothers’ Workshop for seasonal exhibits exploring holiday spices, plants used in Christmas decorations, winter ecosystems, and preserving the autumn harvest. Evergreens for Everyone adds winter plant lore and festive photo props on Nov. 28, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19. Exhibits are included with general admission; seasonal workshops are priced separately.

Shop, Dine & Take a Break

Leave time for a few tasty traditions, too. At Winkler Bakery, pick up Moravian sugar cake, lovefeast buns, and whisper-thin cookies. You can also peek at the original beehive oven and hear how Salem’s bakers once worked it. For gifts, head upstairs from the bakery to Winkler Book & Gift, stocked with candles, ornaments, home décor, and locally made finds.  Also in Old Salem, Lot 63 pairs coffee and Moravian baked goods with a cozy setting inside an 1867 building. Stay for an evening drink; dogs are welcome, too. For lunch, Muddy Creek Café serves sandwiches, soups, and Moravian chicken pie in an 1850s building, with occasional live music in the adjoining Listening Room. 

Candle Tea: A Cherished Tradition

For many families, Home Moravian Church's Candle Tea signals the start of the season. Held at the historic Single Brothers’ House in Old Salem, the 2026 event takes place Dec. 3–5 and Dec. 10–12.

Despite its name, no tea is served. Instead, costumed volunteers guide small groups through carol singing accompanied by a historic pipe organ, beeswax candle-making demonstrations, and coffee and sugar cake in the original kitchen. The finale is the Putz (pronounced “puts”), a 30-foot-long miniature Salem on a snowy Christmas Eve, complete with glowing windows and tiny townspeople going about their day. A separate Nativity scene features hand-carved figures and a reading of the Christmas story.

Allow about an hour and 45 minutes. Tours begin every 15 minutes, with afternoon and evening hours on Thursdays and Fridays and earlier starts on Saturdays.

►Good to know: General admission is $9, with reduced admission for children. Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ups are accommodated as space allows. Candle Tea is ticketed separately from Old Salem admission. The tour includes three steep flights of stairs, and the building has no elevator.

Moravian Lovefeasts: Coffee, Carols & Candlelight

A sweet bun, a cup of coffee, and a sanctuary filled with song: the Moravian lovefeast is a simple expression of fellowship that becomes especially moving at Christmas.

During Christmas Eve services, worshippers share lovefeast buns and coffee while listening to music and singing carols. Beeswax candles wrapped in red paper frills fill the sanctuary with a warm glow. A particularly memorable moment is “Morning Star,” traditionally led by a child and answered by the congregation.

Moravian churches throughout the region welcome visitors to these free services, often offering several times on Christmas Eve. Some also hold Christmas lovefeasts earlier in December. Check individual church websites for schedules and plan to arrive early. You can search for local Moravian churches here

More Moravian Holiday Events for 2026

Dec. 5: Four Christmases at Bethabara

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Historic Bethabara Park | Free

Explore how Moravian Christmas celebrations evolved across four eras at Winston-Salem’s original Moravian settlement. Seasonal music and hands-on activities offer an engaging introduction to the customs of generations past, with fun for all ages.

  
Dec. 5: Moravian Christmas Market

10 a.m.–dusk | Salem Square, Old Salem | Free

Shop for gifts with a connection to the region’s heritage at this market hosted by the Wachovia Historical Society. Moravian artisans offer handcrafted goods on Main Street at Salem Square, across from Candle Tea. It’s an easy addition to a Saturday in the historic district.

  
Dec. 6: Wake Forest Christmas Lovefeast

7 p.m. | Wait Chapel, WFU | Free

Wake Forest students, alumni, staff, and the wider Winston-Salem community gather for an evening of music, scripture, lovefeast buns, coffee, and candlelight. Outside, luminaries line Hearn Plaza, adding to the atmosphere. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a musical prelude at 6:20 p.m. Seating is first come, first seated; a livestream is also available.

  
Dec. 12: Moravian ChristmasFest

10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Archie K. Davis Center, Old Salem | Free

Inspired by German Christmas markets, ChristmasFest brings together holiday music, arts and crafts, gifts, food, and activities for children, including a chance to meet Santa. Festivities take place at Salem College’s Elberson Fine Arts Center and the nearby Archie K. Davis Center, on the north end of Old Salem near God's Acre. No Old Salem admission ticket is needed.

More to Explore & Experience

Curious about the people behind these traditions? Start with Moravian 101 guide for a look at the faith and traditions that helped shape Winston-Salem and remains active today. Then plan your outing with our Old Salem Inside Guide, featuring must-see sites and tips for making the most of your visit.

Looking for more holiday events and spectacles? Explore our Events Calendar for dozens of local events happening now through New Year’s Eve.