30th Anniversary at the George Eastman Museum
Visitors are welcome to celebrate the season at the George Eastman Museum, as its beloved annual holiday displays return on Saturday, November 8, 2025, and continue through Sunday, January 4, 2026, marking its 30th year. The merry showcase features over 50 cleverly designed and beautifully decorated gingerbread creations, along with dozens of handcrafted wreaths, festive tabletop trees, and diverse mantel displays.
All gingerbread creations, wreaths, and tabletop trees will be available through an online auction. Guests can view the displays in person or virtually, and place bids from any mobile device or computer at eastman.org/holidays beginning Saturday, November 8. Proceeds benefit the George Eastman Museum.
Additional holiday offerings at the museum include A Holiday Musical Cocktail Party fundraiser hosted by the Eastman Museum Council and a festive film series at the Dryden Theatre.
2025 Sweet Creations Events
- Sweet Creations Gingerbreads and Auction: Over 50 cleverly decorated gingerbread creations fill the mansion.
- Wreaths and Auction: Wreaths by local florists and garden clubs adorn the walls.
- Tabletop Trees and Auction: Festive tabletop trees, decorated by local groups and businesses, are on display throughout the historic mansion.
- Mantel Displays: Returning for a third year, the mansion’s fireplace mantels are decorated by local organizations to echo the celebrations of our diverse community.
- Scavenger Hunt: Visitors of all ages can test their skills through a scavenger hunt.
A Holiday Musical Cocktail Party Fundraiser
The Eastman Museum Council presents a festive evening of music on Saturday, November 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy performances by resident organist Joe Blackburn, jazz pianist Matthew Valerio, and Nazareth University’s Call4Backup a cappella ensemble. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Farmhouse Table Food, and auction items will be available for bidding. Tickets are $100. Reserve a ticket online at eastman.org/holiday-cocktail-party-2025 by Friday, November 14.
Holiday Films at the Dryden Theatre
The Dryden Theatre kicks off its annual holiday film series Thanksgiving weekend with A Christmas Story (1983) on Friday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 29 at 2 p.m.; and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) on Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. Other highlights include It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on December 5 at 7:30 p.m., December 10 at 7:30 p.m., and December 13 at 2 p.m.; A Christmas Carol (1938) on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. and December 20 at 2 p.m.; and The Apartment (1960) on New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m. Visit eastman.org/dryden for full film listings.
Hours and Admission
Museum hours during Holidays at the George Eastman Museum are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays. The museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. For ticket information, visit eastman.org.
Photos courtesy of George Eastman Museum/Elizabeth Chiang.
