NEWSLETTER
Sweet Creations display opens to the public on November 8
Rochester, N.Y., November 1, 2019—The George Eastman Museum will kick off the holiday season on November 8, when the annual Sweet Creations—the exquisite display of dozens of cleverly designed and deliciously decorated gingerbread houses—opens to the public. The display will be on view through December 15. The historic mansion will then be closed on December 19, 2019, and reopen on February 14, 2020, for Dutch Connection, to accommodate construction in the historic Colonnade. The museum’s galleries, store, and cafe will remain open through the holiday season.
A beloved holiday tradition, the annual Sweet Creations gingerbread display and silent auction is a visual and aromatic treat for all ages. The gingerbread creations will be available for the highest bidders to take home after December 15. Proceeds from the auction benefit the George Eastman Legacy Collection. Sweet Creations is a project of the Eastman Museum Council and is made possible by Tops Friendly Markets and Tasteful Connections.
2019 Holiday Events & Films
Wreath Display & Auction
The George Eastman Museum’s annual handcrafted wreath display and auction will be on view from November 5 through December 1. This year’s selection features more than 20 wreaths created by florists, garden clubs, local businesses, and individuals, and all wreaths are available via silent auction. Proceeds from the auction benefit the George Eastman Legacy Collection. The holiday wreath display and auction is included with museum admission.
Tabletop Tree Display & Auction
Festive tabletop trees decorated in various themes by local groups and businesses will be on display throughout the historic mansion from November 19 through December 17. The trees will be available for purchase via silent auction. Proceeds from the auction benefit the George Eastman Legacy Collection. The tabletop tree display is included with museum admission.
Holiday Homecoming Celebration
Savor the seasonal spirit at the George Eastman Museum’s annual Holiday Homecoming celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 12. This annual family-friendly event includes holiday decor and displays, live music on the Aeolian pipe organ by Joe Blackburn, a performance by the Asbury First Methodist Church bell choir, cookies and punch, and family activities—plus a visit from Santa, who will pose for photos in the historic Living Room (bring your own camera). Free to museum members; included with museum admission. No discounts or passes.
Holiday Films at the Dryden Theatre
The Dryden Theatre presents holiday favorites. The highlight of the season is a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Thursday, December 12, with a special appearance by Karolyn Grimes and Jimmy Hawkins, who portrayed Zuzu and Tommy Bailey in the film. Included with admission will be a meet and greet with Grimes and Hawkins held in the Curtis Theatre starting at 6 p.m. (purchased required for autographs), followed by a special introduction in the Dryden Theatre by the actors, who will share behind-the-scenes stories of the making of this beloved classic at 7:30 p.m., prior to the screening. Presented in partnership with the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca Falls, New York. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for members and students/youth, $15 general (no Admit-1 or Take-10 passes); available in advance at eastman.org/holidays.
Other selections include Thanksgiving weekend screenings of Alice’s Restaurant (1969) and Red River (1948), as well as Scrooge (1951) on December 20 and 22, An Affair to Remember (1957) on December 24, and more. Visit eastman.org/dryden for full film listings. Regular Dryden admission: $10 adults, $7 museum members, $5 students (w/ID), FREE for 17 and under.
New Year’s Eve Dinner & A Movie at the Dryden Theatre
Enjoy a holiday dinner in the Eastman Museum Café before the special nitrate screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (1940) on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31. Tickets are $35 and include dinner, beverage, dessert, and admission to the screening. Seatings are available between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and the film begins at 7:30 p.m. Reservations for dinner are required, and can be made by calling (585) 327-4940. Tickets for the screening only are available at the Dryden Theatre box office. (Please note, the café will be open only for attendees of this special dinner.)
For More Information
For information on holiday events, call (585) 371-4800 or visit eastman.org/holidays. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, (Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day). General museum admission: $15 adults; $13 seniors (62+); $5 students (with ID) and ages 5–17; and FREE for ages 4 and under. Dryden admission is $10 general admission; $7 members; $5 for students (with ID); FREE for 17 and under. Admission to both the Eastman Museum and the Dryden Theatre are FREE for SNAP/EBT cardholders and their families, and for active-duty military personnel and their families.
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For press images, visit https://eastmanmuseum.box.com/v/holidays.
Media Contact: Kellie Fraver, Public Relations Manager
(585) 327-4813