National Conferences
Friends of the Creche holds a conference every year. On odd-numbered years, conferences are longer with more activities.
Upcoming Conferences
2026 Conference in San Antonio, Texas
"Follow the Star" to beautiful San Antonio November 6-8. Based at Hotel Valencia on the famous River Walk in the heart of downtown San Antonio, you will be within easy walking distance to historical sites, San Fernando Cathedral, restaurants, and much more. As part of the conference, you will enjoy a river boat cruise, visit the historical market, listen to wonderful presentations, and view a Texan curated Nativity Display.
2027 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
October 26-28, 2027 at the Franciscan Renewal Center (The Casa) in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dates are confirmed and The Casa is reserved. Note that the conference dates are in October to avoid conflicts with Thanksgiving and nativity exhibits that are being set up and run in early December. Planning is underway, and more details will be available at the beginning of 2027.
2028 Conference in Indiana
The conference in 2028 is tentatively planned to be in Indiana, but locations and dates are still under consideration.
2029 Conference in New York City area
The conference in 2029 is tentatively planned to be in the New York City area, but locations and dates are still under consideration.
2025 Conference in Cleveland, Ohio
The 2025 conference was held December 1 - 3 at the Marriott East hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Attendees enjoyed hearing from five excellent speakers,; viewing the member museum of small nativities; and seeing exhibits at Sanctuary on Green, Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church, Kirtland Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and at the home of member Susanne Woods.
The 2024 conference was held November 1 - 3 at Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
2023 Convention in Washington, D. C.
The 2023 convention in Washington D. C. was a great success. Hosted at the Mayflower Hotel, one half mile north of the White House, the attendees enjoyed a wide range of exciting activities, including:
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Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land of America tour and nativity collection
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Festival of Lights display and nativity collection
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Washington National Cathedral tour and nativity collection
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Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception tour
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Museum of the Bible trip
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Monuments by Moonlight tour
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FOTC annual meeting and banquet
Read more about past gatherings in our Archive.
Where have the Friends of the Creche met?
2025 Cleveland, OH
2024 Rancho Palos Verde, CA
2023 Washington, D.C.
2022 Saint Simons Island, GA
2021 Portland, OR (moved online)
2020 Newport, RI (canceled for COVID-19)
2019 Santa Fe, NM
2018 Dayton, OH
2017 Bethlehem, PA
2016 Monck's Corner, SC
2015 Houston, TX
2014 Chicago, IL
2013 Cleveland, OH
2012 Rancho Palos Verde, CA
2011 Toronto, ON, Canada
2010 New Haven, CT
2009 Salt Lake City, UT
2008 Ann Arbor, MI
2007 Dayton, OH
2006 Nashville, TN
2005 Santa Fe, NM
2004 Panama, CA
2003 Hyannis, MA
2002 Frankenmouth, MI
2001 Lancaster, PA