Gingerbread Community Day
Celebrate winter in true New York City style at Gingerbread Community Day, a festive family day filled with creativity, community, and seasonal traditions.
Families can explore the Museum through hands-on artmaking, decorate ornaments and cookies, create winter-inspired snow globes, visit Santa, and cozy up for a winter-themed story time.
Included with Museum admission. Join us for a day of creativity, discovery, and winter fun for all ages!
Register for Gingerbread Community Day
Important Note: This is not a drop-off program. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the program.
This program is presented in connection with the Kids Art Studio.
Activity Schedule
| Drop- In Activities | |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Gingy’s Winter Adventures Decorate your own paper Gingy and imagine all the places they can go! Inspired by Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off, this activity invites families to create a sweet NYC adventure of their own. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Winter Keepsakes: Ornament Decoration Personalize a blank wooden ornament inspired by New York City, wintertime, your favorite colors, or your family’s traditions. Choose from snowflakes, mugs and teacups, and classic round ornaments to create a keepsake to take home. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Windows of New York Create your own colorful NYC-inspired canvas window portrait. Design the storefronts, apartment windows, and neighborhood scenes that make New York sparkle in winter. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Cookie Decoration Decorate a delicious cookie with icing and your own creative designs with cookies and icing sponsored by Amy's Bread. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Winterland: Scavenger Hunt (Ages: 5 and up) Explore MCNY’s galleries as you search for clues and complete a fun gallery-wide challenge. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | A Visit with Santa Stop by for a festive visit with Santa and capture the moment with your own phone or personal device. |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Winter on Stage Enjoy live DJ Music |
| Timed Activities | |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Shake Up Winter: Snow Globe Making Workshop Join this first come first served, hands-on workshop and create your own winter inspired snow globe. Add miniature details and sparkle to design a snowy scene all your own. |
| 11:15AM – 11:45 AM | Storytime: Winter in the City Gather for a 30-minute storytelling circle featuring stories of winter adventures, city life, and the magic of New York in the colder months. |
| 12:00PM– 12:45 AM | Meet the Bakers Meet the talented bakers behind this year’s Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off, and get an inside look at the creativity, stories, and inspiration behind their fabulous gingerbread creations. |
| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Shake Up Winter: Snow Globe Making Workshop Join this first come first served, hands-on workshop and create your own winter inspired snow globe. Add miniature details and sparkle to design a snowy scene all your own. |
| 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Storytime: Winter in the City Gather for a 30-minute storytelling circle featuring stories of winter adventures, city life, and the magic of New York in the colder months. |
| 1:00PM– 1:45 AM | Meet the Bakers Meet the talented bakers behind this year’s Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off, and get an inside look at the creativity, stories, and inspiration behind their fabulous gingerbread creations. |
Community Partners
Supporters
Museum of the City of New York's Family Programs are made possible, in part, by The Eshe Fund, the Margaret S. Ogden and Stephen A. Ogden Memorial Fund, the Rochlis Family Foundation, the Estate of Terry Siegel, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Members: To receive your discount, click on the "Buy Tickets" button above, then sign in to your account on the ticketing page.
Groups of 10 or more get discounts; contact us at programs@mcny.org or 917.492.3395.
Accessibility: Assistive listening devices are available and our auditorium wheelchair lift can accommodate manual and motorized wheelchairs (max. capacity 500 lbs). Please contact the Museum at 917.492.3333 or info@mcny.org with any questions.
Related Exhibition - Opens November 6, 2026
Gingerbread NYC
Supporters
Museum of the City of New York's Family Programs are made possible, in part, by The Eshe Fund, the Margaret S. Ogden and Stephen A. Ogden Memorial Fund, the Rochlis Family Foundation, the Estate of Terry Siegel, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click below to see answers to frequently asked questions about the festival.
If you have questions about Museum guidelines, such as photography policies or coat check, please visit our general FAQ page. If you have questions regarding accessibility at MCNY, please visit the Accessibility page for more information.
Children of all ages are welcome to join the Museum festival. Activities are designed for children ages 3+ and their grownups, though we welcome visitors of all ages to take part.
The Museum has a main entrance located at 1220 Fifth Avenue. The Museum’s accessible ramp entrance is available on East 104th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues.
Yes. Stroller parking will be available to all guests on the day of the program.
Kids’ guides are available at the Museum’s volunteer desk on the 1st floor and in each of the associated exhibitions to support children and their grownups in exploring our exhibitions.
Yes—all participating guests, including children, should be included when you purchase your tickets online.
Please contact the Family Programs team.
For more information, visit our FAQs page.
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