Candle Tea is a Moravian tradition dating back to early American colonial times. Held on the first Saturday in December, it is a community open house and craft fair regarded by many as the opening event of the Christmas season. Guests are warmly greeted by volunteers wearing traditional 18th-century costumes; served sugar cake and coffee in the pews while listening to the music, songs and history of the Moravian Church. Following the initial greeting, guests are encouraged to tour our Christmas Bazaar – a wondrous display of food, arts and crafts.
Hightlights from the Old Salem event:
- Sing Christmas carols, accompanied by our 1797 Tannenberg organ.
- See how we make the beeswax candles used in our Christmas Eve candlelight lovefeasts.
- Enjoy a warm cup of Moravian coffee and a piece of sugar cake.
- Hear what life was like for those who founded and lived in Salem.
- View the putz (miniature replica) of early Salem.
- Listen to the Christmas story as you view our lighted Nativity putz.
Here’s a video of the 2006 event. Website of the Candle Tea at the Single Brothers home and one from Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC