Holidays at the Museum 2025
It's that wonderful time of year when so many of us look forward to getting into the spirit of the holiday season. The Eastman Museum brings you many opportunities to celebrate the holidays. While our annual displays will fill the museum with familiar cheer, we are excited to grow the diversity of our offering.
- Ticketing
- Nonmembers are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. All holiday displays are included with museum admission.
- Members and others receiving free admission (active-duty military, SNAP/EBT cardholders) do not need to reserve tickets. Just show your member card, military ID, or EBT/SNAP card at the Lipson Welcome Center when you arrive at the museum.
- Hours
- Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
In This Section
Holiday Displays and Auctions
Sweet Creations Gingerbread Displays, Saturday, November 8–Sunday, January 4, 2026
This beloved Sweet Creations holiday tradition provides a visual treat for visitors of all ages.
Wreath Display, Saturday, November 8–Sunday, January 4, 2026
See dozens of uniquely decorated wreaths on view at the museum.
Tabletop Tree Display, Saturday, November 8–Sunday, January 4, 2026
Trees decorated by local businesses are on display throughout the historic mansion.
Online Auctions
See the gingerbreads, wreaths, and trees in person and place your bids online. Use your own device at the museum or log on after your visit.
Online Auction Dates: Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.–Sunday, January 4, 5 p.m.
Important Information About Bidding, Pickup, and Payment
- Once a bid is placed, you are agreeing to pay for and pick up your item if you are the winning bid. There are no refunds, returns, or cancellations.
- Winning bidders will be alerted by e-mail when the auction closes.
- You must be able to pick up your gingerbread creation, wreath, or tree from the museum. We cannot ship or deliver items.
- Items must be picked up Friday, January 9 at 5 p.m.
- Payment is due at pickup if paying cash or check, or before pickup if paying by credit card via PayPal.
- More details about payment and pickup will be sent to winning bidders at the end of the auction.
How to Bid in the Online Auction
- View all items or search using the ID found on the label on-site at the museum.
Each ID is a letter (W, G, or T) followed by a two-digit number (e.g., W01, G14, etc.). - When you've found an item you wish to bid on, enter your amount and press Bid!
- You will be asked to create a bidder account. This will allow you to monitor the items you’ve bid on.
- At the end of the auction, top bidders will be notified and contacted to set up pickup time and payment. You can pay securely on the auction site via PayPal (accepts all major forms of credit card and bank account) or by cash or check in person at the time of pickup.
Questions
If you experience any issues or have questions about bidding, please contact [email protected].
Family Friendly Holiday Fun at Home
Visit the museum's annual Sweet Creations display to get inspired, then check out our fun-filled activities at home! Such activities include making your own gingerbread houses using paper bags and craft materials, baking your own gingerbread houses using our recipes, and learning the science behind snowflakes with our friends at the Rochester Museum & Science Center!
PDF: Paper Bag Gingerbread Houses
PDF: Gingerbread Recipe
Video: Snowflake Fun
Explore snowflake photographs in our collection
Want more gingerbread inspiration? Visit our Discovery Room! Check out these books featuring a range of folktales and learn about "fleeing food," stories like the gingerbread man, from cultures around the world.
PDF: Book Recommendations: Gingerbread Folktales from Around the World
View the historic mansion decorated for the season—online with our holiday virtual tour.
Where Everyone Eats: Open Face
Complete your museum visit with a tasting at Open Face for hand-crafted soups, sandwiches, and salads. During Sweet Creations, satisfy your sweet tooth with gingerbread cookies from our friends at The Bakery Barr, our hand-blended hot cocoa, and the decadent flavors of Jeni’s ice cream.