Streets of Bethlehem — Local services in Salinas

Wonderful family experience during the holiday season. They've really put a lot of work into making this seem as authentic as possible and the actors all stay in character. It's truly magical for the children. There are so many activities and experiences for them to join. Our kids (actually all of us) are huge fans of the Angel Studios Young David series. When the musicians and singers started playing and dancing in the street, I thought my granddaughter was going explode with happiness. We got to dance in the street just like they did in the series. To the delight of the kids there were goats, a cow, horses, chickens, and llamas. The blacksmith display was fascinating and the kids learned a lot. In the marketplace, each stall offered an activity, often with a little gift they could take home. Very generous. The kids felt wool, made tiny clay bowls, put spices in their bowls at the next booth, smelled myrrh, frankincense, and other spices and oils, collected a coin stamped for them that they made into a bracelet at a later stall, just so many activities. Some kids were "conscripted" (voluntarily) into the Roman army and got to wear helmets and learned to march. The experience ends with the living nativity play. My 5 year old granddaughter danced with the angels and when they opened the stable doors she squealed ” He's real! He's real! It's baby Jesus! He's real! " At her insistence, we walked back to the beginning and watched the play all over again twice. The kids didn't want to leave but as we walked out there was another surprise! The wisemen were walking on the path, and sat down to talk to the children. They were wonderfully kind and didn't rush them at all. They told their story and the children were entranced. My three year old grandson didn't want to leave them. Then they gave each child a piece of gold. He held it so tightly in his hand and said over and over, he gave me gold like he gave baby Jesus! As we left there were tables where the kids made bracelets with colored beads symbolizing Christian beliefs. The tables were named by teenagers who shared what each bead meant. They were lovely and patient and took a lot of time talking to the kids. You park at a nearby church and take a bus to the experience. All of this is free, it's a gift of love. Don't miss this, you will never forget...

This place is always a blessing love coming every yr! So glad they had during 2020 and didn't cancel it like every other thing and place that gave up they got creative and did a...

I have gone to this event every year. It is a great experience for the family, and a great service for the community...