Famed Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz would have been sweet on The Chocolate Trail in historic downtown Bethlehem, as it was Schultz who said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

And the Christmas City offered chocolate galore, perfectly timed with Valentine’s Day, serving up the oodles of savory sweetness Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 courtesy of the Historic Downtown Bethlehem Chocolate Trail 2026.

A $40 passport was the golden ticket for chocolate aficionados to traverse the trail at the annual event presented by the Downtown Bethlehem Association. Participants could sample chocolate treats at each stop listed on their map, and had the chance to vote for their favorite bite to help crown this year’s Chocolate Champion and be entered for a chance to win some extra-sweet prizes.

Chocolate trailblazers weathered frigid temperatures Feb. 7, popping into their favorite merchants to sample delectable sweetness.

Things were bustling at Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works in The Main Street Commons, where staff members Megan and Christine were serving up Chocolate Espresso Ravioli with Bailey’s Crème Anglaise and fresh strawberries, a treat created by Executive Chef Jill Oman.

“We’ve had more than 200 people so far today,” Megan said. “This is so much fun. There are so many great events downtown. It’s an enjoyable day.”

“Chef Jill does beautiful work,” Megan said, noting it took Oman at least eight hours to hand press the hearts and circles on the raviolis. “She does really thoughtful things and executions.

“We’re just the personality. She does all the hard work,” Megan said.

Oman was also enthusiastic about the event. “It’s free advertising – it lets people know we do more than burgers.”

Oman said the DBA does a good job of getting people downtown on weekends that would not normally be busy through the various events it sponsors. The Brew Works participates in other fun DBA happenings including The Cocktail Trail and Soup Saunter, in which The Brew Works earned third place in January.

Gina Passerman, owner of Le Macaron French Pastries, said a lot of people were out that day as she poured French Drinking Chocolate, a delectable delight enjoyed by many who came in from the cold.

“We do a lot of DBA events. The community is awesome, and groups enjoy the day. It’s a great alternative to being home” on such a cold day, Passerman said.

Le Macaron French Pastries, which opened in October 2024, offers a slice of Paris in Bethlehem with a selection including authentic French macarons, French pastries, fine chocolates and house-made Gelato.

Mary Mulder, staff member at Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe, was busy pouring three flavors – peppermint, dark and caramel – of hot chocolate to chocolate lovers who popped into the shoppe.

She noted the shoppe sells the hot chocolate all winter, and planned to offer Uncle Henry’s Pretzels dipped in Wilbur Chocolate on Feb. 14.

Recounting the shoppe’s history, Mulder said, “This was a dry goods store in the mid-1800s. The first mayor of Bethlehem lived next door at the Goundie House and had a brewery.”

A sign in the shoppe details its history of being inspired by the original 19th-century Schropp Shoppe.

Mulder said the shoppe offers a lot of locally handcrafted items. The inventory includes soaps, charcuterie supplies, Moravian stars, jewelry, jar candles, pottery, coffee, granola and items from Tate Farms.

The shoppe is under the umbrella of Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites. “The shoppe supports their work,” Mulder said. “All profits go to historic Bethlehem sites.”

Participating Chocolate Trail merchants included A Couple Craves, Bitty and Beau’s Coffee, Christmas City Spirits, Crave Nutrition, Dear Santa, Edge Restaurant, Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works, Schropp Dry Goods Shop, The Gem Shop, Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Kaleidoscope Collective, Knobs ‘N Knockers, Le Macaron French Pastries, Manga Lane, McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar, Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom, Lovely by Brianna, Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe and Hand Cut Crystal, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, La Petite Provence and 515 Main Sports Bar.