Return to Bethlehem

Return to Bethlehem for Christmas 

For twenty-six years, Return to Bethlehem has been a beloved tradition in the CSRA, offered as Grace United Methodist Church’s Christmas gift to the community. This immersive, live production invites you to step back in time and experience the story of Jesus’ birth as if you were truly there. 

Every other year, the church grounds are transformed into a bustling first-century town filled with over one hundred costumed characters, live animals, and the sights and sounds of Bethlehem. As you walk through the village, guided by a friendly “Bethlehem host,” you’ll encounter merchants at their booths, smell food cooking in the marketplace, hear street musicians playing, and witness scenes that bring the Nativity story to life—from the angel’s visit to Mary to the birth of Jesus in the manger beneath the shining star that can be seen for miles. 

This year’s Return to Bethlehem will take place December 10–13, from 6:30–8:30 p.m., behind Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta. Admission is free, and donations are warmly welcomed to help continue this meaningful community tradition. 

A 6:00 p.m. drive-thru experience will be available each evening for guests who may find walking the tour difficult. Our team will do their best to accommodate as many vehicles as possible before the walking tours begin at 6:30 p.m. For everyone’s safety, please follow the directions of event attendants. 

Join us for this moving and unforgettable journey that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. Come see, hear, and feel the story that continues to change the world—Return to Bethlehem!