Bethlehem is now in the midst of its 275th year since its Christmas Eve birth in 1741. But how will this milestone be celebrated when it’s already a popular destination for big events year-round?

Mayor Bob Donchez announced March 2 the plan to supplement the city’s busy calendar with a pair of daylong anniversary events, the first of which being a gala fundraiser April 16. Anniversary Committee chair Lynn Cunningham said the black-tie-optional gala will be held at Hotel Bethlehem and range throughout all its historic ballrooms.

The earnings from the gala will join existing funds and those provided by major sponsor Coca-Cola for the main event; a free Community Celebration slated for June 25. Held at ArtsQuest SteelStacks, the daylong event will feature food, music, events and photo displays of Bethlehem pride and family made up of submissions by city residents. Planning is ongoing.

Cunningham also announced the ongoing production of a new, updated volume on the history of the city (the last was published in 1920) and the unveiling of an official national achievement Bethlehem Hall of Fame.

While the book is a work in progress, the first 27 inductees to the hall of fame have already been chosen, and they include actors such as Duane “The Rock” Johnson, Daniel Day Kim and Jonathan Frakes; business moguls such as Lee Iacocca; and media personalities such as former Boston Globe editor Marty Baron.

Information and ticket sales for the gala are available at http://bethlehemanniversary.com.