This 'nativity sets showcase open house tour' invitation is extended to those who have an appreciation for decor and art. Gayle belongs to Freinds of the Creche, an international group of collectors. FOTC is a society for all who love, own or collect Christmas nativities. Her private collection from over 50 years of collecting and traveling includes a few hundred sets and artwork. There is full tree of miniatures and sets displayed outdoor and throughout rooms of her home.

A unique display of more than 100 nativities from around the world is hosted inside the Visitors' Center at the Mesa Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more than four decades, the lighting of the Mesa Arizona Temple gardens has been a favorite holiday tradition in the Valley. The free event features thousands of twinkling lights and a variety of displays designed to tell the story of Christ's birth, including a large outdoor creche underneath a lighted star and other Biblical vignettes, including a shepherd's field, Mary and Joseph figurines, the prophet Isaiah, and three lighted wise men with their camels.

The Festival features over 300 creches on loan from members of The Casa's Faith Community. The event is open to the public. There is no admission fee (goodwill offerings would be gratefully accepted).

The Tucson Museum of Art presents El Nacimiento (the creche) on display in La Casa Cordova, an historic old 19th century house in what was once the walled presidio area of the city. The large, colorful diorama, created by Mexican American folk artist Maria Luisa Tena, depicts Mexican street market scenes, Old Testament scenes and the Holy Family. A Nacimiento of 600 miniature pieces is on display every year from late November to mid-March. Casa Cordova open: Tue-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4. Closed Mon., major holidays. Building is under restoration 9/1/24 Tentative 2024 opening.

More than 600 volunteers over the course of five days create The Christmas Creche Exhibit in Palo Alto, Calif. The exhibit has drawn 10,000 visitors in the past from the U.S. and from six other countries.

Rotating theme with hundreds of nativities on display each year. Free self guided exhibit: Our gift to the community! Docent tours available: $5/adult; School tours available: $3/student, Stroll By Exhibit - Dec. 23, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 Open every day whenever you come and visit. Viewed from the breezeway.

Nativity figures lightly polychromed of Swedish birchwood were carved by Antonio Sanjuan Villalba (1902-1996) of Valencia, Spain in 1956.The creche is set in a prepared niche low in the north wall of the north transept so children can see the details. There are 15 figures and nine animals, and the scene combines the Nativity with the arriving shepherds and the Magi of the Epiphany.

One large display with figures from Spain. Begins at the end of Nov. through Dec. and ends on Epiphany. Check online for dates and times. Featured in an issue of the Creche Herald in 2020.

The Abbey of Regina Laudis, a community of contemplative Benedictine women, displays a lavish 18th century Nativity thought to have been created for the coronation of Victor Amadeus II, King of Sardinia, in 1720. The creche was donated to the Abbey in 1949 by philanthropist Loretta Hines Howard. A similar nativity set she gave to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the centerpiece of the museum's Medieval Galleries each Christmas.

The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center carries on its tradition of showcasing Christmas in art and culture with its 2024 exhibition of more than 50 nativity scenes of Christmas in Africa.

A diverse collection of over 650+ nativities by Wendy Haymans and her late mother, Sharon Bowen. The scenes represent a world of countries, cultures, artistic forms and materials. The exhibit concludes with a Life of Christ display that features pivotal moments of Jesus's ministry, all pointing to God's free gift of salvation. Display fills the sanctuary.

World Nativities - The many nativities in their vast international collection of 200 pieces are now displayed permanently in a new exhibit room.

A diverse display of the creche or nativity. Over 300 were displayed last year featuring many countries and cultures. A festive, family friendly celebration of our Savior's birth. Free refreshments and activities for children. Come search for baby Jesus on a fun scavenger hunt. Enjoy some local musical talent as you see the many depictions of the babe in a manger.

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The German-style Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience for the whole family. Christmas ornaments and hand carved olive wood nativity scenes are among the vendor products from around the world. Free admission.

Mid 18th century Neapolitan, presepio (Nativity and village scenes) in an 8' x 5 1/2' setting also 1/3 scale replica of Wit Stwosz altarpiece from the Bazylika Mariacka, Krakow, Poland with nativity scene on wings of the altar doors. In general the church is a repository of sacred art and relics.

Among displays of Polish history and culture are large szopki from the collection of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow shown on a rotating basis and one large szopka made here in the U.S. for the visit of Pope JohnPaul II in 1978. Check before going to be sure there are szopki on display.

LUMA's annual holiday exhibition, Art and Faith of the Creche: The Collection of James and Emilia Govan, continues each year with 50-60 nativity scenes. These works represent only a small part of the Govans' gift that was donated in 2009. Over the course of almost forty years, the Govans amassed over 500 creches, representing over 100 countries. Many are unique in their depiction of the nativity story and incorporate elements, such as architecture, clothing, animals, gifts, and materials, that are particular to the artist's native country.

The German-style Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience for the whole family. Christmas ornaments and hand carved olive wood nativity scenes are among the vendor products from around the world. Free admission.

Large display of 750+ nativities, musical performances.

The Nativity Celebration features 600+ nativities, live music, original art and crafts as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

In 2014, the McGrath Institute for Church Life began partnering with the Marian Library at the University of Dayton, bringing to Notre Dame's campus an exhibit of creches, or Nativity scenes, from around the world. Since 2020, the institute has shared this sacred art in a different way, through a digital Advent and Christmas Creche Calendar - a beautiful selection including creches, or Nativity scenes, from previous six exhibits, as well as creches never before seen on the Notre Dame campus.

Dozens of beautiful nativity scenes displayed throughout the Wormald Gallery.

Exhibit of international creches.

Large display of international creches. Enter through the Visitor Center of the D.C. temple

A special feature of the display is the Nativity Market Place featuring handmade nativity sets.

The international creche museum showcases an impressive and diverse array of cultural interpretations of the nativity story, featuring some 2,000 nativity scenes from more than 100 countries worldwide. Among its treasures are 2 unique collections of 'Santons' from Provence, France, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the global and artistic celebration of Christmas. While admission is free, the museum appreciates free-will donations.

Display of large-size Fontanini Nativity figures set on pedestals in a vertical configuration in the chapel. Open M-F 9am-3pm, SA-SU 9am-12pm. If planning to come after 1 pm on a weekday it is best to call the parish office to see if the church would be open. The church & chapel are open all day Saturday until after the 4pm mass and Sunday until 5:30pm.

The James White Library presents a display of "Nativities from Around the World". The exhibition includes nativity sets from 45 countries showcasing culture and creativity from the collection of Ruth and Ray Roberts.

700+ Creches from around the world, 90+ Nutcrackers on display in the Dau Library, a multitude of Angels and many beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The oldest and largest hand painted nativity has adorned the sanctuary since the late 1800�s. Also a 13 piece life-sized Nativity displayed on the stage of the Huegli Auditorium.

Billed as "The World's Largest Christmas Store," Bronner's lives up to its name when it comes to nativity sets. The store offers over 500 styles of nativities, ranging from ornaments, to advent calendars, to wall decor, to tabletop Nativities, half life-size, and life-size nativity sets. Every one of the more than 300 decorated trees have at least one nativity ornament. The Bronner family, who founded the store in 1945, exhibit their collection of over 100 nativities from around the world in the program center for guests to view. "Silent Night" Chapel, a replica of the Austrian church where the Christmas tune originated.

Beautiful display of over 150 unique nativity scenes from around the world. Handicap-accessible event.

This collection features nativities which were purchased in or reflect the Upper Peninsula of Michigan's northwoods, presented by Susanne & Bill Gay.

Check the Parish website calendar for dates and times.

The Martha Spencer Rogers Creche Collection includes nearly 200 creches from over 80 countries around the world and presents the Christ child as belonging to each community. There are several dozen additional creches and a growing collection of Noah's Arks also on permanent view. Rogers, a Westminster member who began collecting creches in La Paz, Bolivia in the mid-1960s, donated both her collection and her custom display cases to the Westminster Collection in 2007. It now is on permanent view on the church's second floor and lower level.

Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas through the eyes of artisans from around the world and help those who are poor stay warm this winter! Experience this Franciscan nativity tradition the weekend of Dec 7-8, 2024. View at least 150 unique creches from diverse cultures between 11am and 4pm at Kirkwood's Tau Center. Bring the kids for our "hands-on" childrens room. The Fontanini Village is also back this year. The suggested donation of $5/household or new socks or gloves is appreciated. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Use covered entrance on East side. Call (314) 965-3700 from lot to use accessible entrance on Southwest corner. Groups over 10, please call ahead.

The Girard Wing of the Museum of International Folk Art contains some colorful and unique nativity sets in its "Multiple Visions: A Common Bond" display. Museum donors Alexander and Susan Girard collected nativity sets mostly from Europe and South America, and each one offers a fascinating look at the Holy Family and the night Jesus was born. The bright and open permanent exhibition appeals to children, and special guides and multimedia tours are available for families.

Many nativity sets from around the world, part of Father Roy Herberger's unique collection, will be on display in the lower level of the Shrine. This wonderful Christmas tradition is a must-see. The exhibit will run throughout Advent and be able to be viewed during regular Basilica hours.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a longstanding tradition of presenting an 18th-century Neapolitan creche along with its Christmas tree in the Museum's Medieval Sculpture Hall. Christmas music and special lighting add to the special holiday display. At the base of a 20-foot blue spruce are 71 people and 50 animals representing a traditional 18th-century Italian village. The beautiful and detailed presepio also includes Roman ruins and a working Italian fountain. The figures, each a work of art on its own, range from six to 20 inches in height.

Perpetual Christmas Crib in lower church. Relic from the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem set into rail in front of the crib. Check the website parish bulletins for annual seasonal display updates.

A display of over 250 Nativity sets from around the world. A gift to the Community coordinated by the First Baptist Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Asheville Stake. Free admission, donations accepted. For daytime group visit request please email.

In 2015, the church broke the Guinness World Record for the largest display of nativity scenes with 2,300 unique displays. 2024 Dates Thanksgiving - Christmas

The Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church has a museum adjacent to its chapel that displays on a rotating basis a collection of 500+ nativity sets from around the world. The church basement also includes The Bethlehem Cave, a replica of the cave where Jesus was born. Call to schedule a group or personal tour.

The Comboni Missionaries hosted their first Nativity Experience in 1947, in the carriage house of their Sacred Heart Seminary on Beechmont Road. Called the "Crib" in those days, the outbuilding recreated the Italian tradition of celebrating Christmas with scenes of the Nativity. Seminarians gathered rocks and moss from the area and created an impressive diorama of the Palestinian countryside, complete with cardboard starry sky, rivers, hills, and villages. Imported statuettes of the Holy Family, the ox and ass, angels, shepherds, kings, sheep and even a dog all had a role as dramatic lights and music carried a magical retelling of the Christmas story.

Since 1962 a sweeping life size nativity scene had graced the grounds of the State Auto building on East Broad St in downtown Columbus and it was something of a seasonal ritual for many families. 10,000 visitors still come to view the nativity now located at St. Joseph Cathedral. State Auto insurance company was purchased by Liberty Mutual Group, headquartered in Boston - donated its Nativity Scene to the Museum of Catholic Art and History, which, in turn, has provided it to St. Joseph Cathedral, also on East Broad Street, for display each year.

The Marian Library Creche Collection began in 1984 and was originally based on the generous contributions of friends and donors. It has grown into an extensive collection of over 3,600 Nativities from around the world. The Creche Collection celebrates diverse Nativity traditions, adapted in different materials and styles, from over 100 cultures. Visit the Creche Museum, a dedicated space showcases a semi-permanent display of Nativities from the collection and serves as the home of the popular Kevin Hanna "Mirror of Hope" art installation (Illustrated book available).

Since 2003, the Historic Kirtland Visitors Center has been home to a free annual Nativity exhibit assembled by the local congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With carefully cataloged sets in a permanent collection mixed with donations and displays on loan from residents, no exhibit is the same from year to year. Also on view is a collection of postcards of Christmas greetings featuring imagery of the Nativity, and several cards from the personal collection of Cleveland artist and designer Viktor Schreckengost. Children can also participate in arts and educational activities as well as a treasure hunt for finding certain detiails in the Nativity displays.

Hundreds of Nativities, Christmas activities for kids.

Come visit our room-filling display filled with immersive scenes. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to learn about the diverse history of Lorain. All are welcome to a special private showing just for fans of the art. General socialization, fun, and some food will happen and a very informal talk about the techniques used. RSVP to Dan Bihary.

More than 60 nativity sets. The Relic Shrine's Upper Room will be filled with sets from differing periods, cultures, and artistic mediums. Fontanini Visit - The House of Fontanini has been creating artistic nativity sets and quality sculpted figurines since 1908. Working with the most talented sculptors and painters of Tuscany, Fontanini figures today are still made by the fourth generation of the family. On Sun, Nov 17, from 1-3pm, Emanuele Fontanini will be at the Maria Stein Shrine to sign pieces.

Mosack's is a family-owned and family-operated Christian retailer with a 8,000-square-foot store in Mentor, which is about 25 miles east of Cleveland. In addition to other faith-based items on display, the store has a huge collection of Fontanini, Willow Tree, Joseph Studio, Precious Moments heirloom nativities.

Based on a book by Kate DePalma, "Joy To The World" is our 2024 Nativity Festival theme. Dec 1-22 view a global themed exhibit of creches, themed trees, and costumes from celebrations around the world. Friday nights 5-6:30pm artist Julie LaBay painting live on stage. Beverages and snacks served. Concerts on Sundays at 4pm represents many styles of music and artwork. Family Activities: A mini-Bethlehem experience includes hands-on activities for kids of all ages. A scavenger hunt leads families through the entire four floor historical building and nine rooms. Snacks and beverages served. Clues can be found in the book by Kate DePalma. The Nativity Festival is free, but donations appreciated. A Free-Will offering will be taken at each concert.

For the second year, we will have a wonderful display of Creche/Nativities on display in the church gathering space, available for viewing on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, 8 AM through Noon, or by appointment. The church is open weekdays 9-3 PM.

The Festival of the Nativity is a free interdenominational community Christmas event held each year in Bartlesville, Oklahoma at St. John Catholic Church. The anchor event is a display of hundreds of nativities representing the cultures of people throughout the world.

Since 1937, Central Moravian has been offering a Community Putz for the City of Bethlehem. Like a creche, a putz tells the story of Jesus' birth with carved figures. A cherished tradition, the Putz (from the German word putzen, meaning "to decorate") retells the wonderful story of Christ�s birth through narration and music, while tiny lights illuminate each miniature scene. The figures, many of them antiques of German origin, are nestled amidst live moss, driftwood and rocks. The practice of putz building is uniquely Moravian. Bethlehem's first settlers brought their putz figures with them in the 18th century. In Victorian days, it was the custom in Bethlehem for Moravians to �go putzing� during the week between Christmas Eve and New Year�s, enjoying others� putzes.

Since 1957, Carnegie Museum of Art has marked the holiday season with the Neapolitan presepio. A centuries-old tradition in Naples and southern Italy, the presepio is an elaborate nativity scene. Tickets may be purchase online or at the door. Adults $25, Seniors $20, Children 2 and under Free, Children 3 to 18 & Student with ID $15

The Glencairn Museum, located in the castle-like former home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, offers its annual "Christmas in the Castle" tours and other seasonal activities. The museum's permanent collection features nativity art, including paintings, manuscripts, sculptures and stained glass, dating to the medieval period. The museum is featuring a magnificent Neapolitan presepio from the collection of Elizabeth Anne Evans of Bucks County, Pa. The large, detailed creche, with pieces Evans collected over a period of 30 years, is on loan from the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. The annual exhibition of nativities collected from around the world features almost 50 scenes representing dozens of countries.

Located in historic Bucks County, PA, one room of Visitors' Center displays more than 200 creches from around the world, including an 18th century presepio.

Chinese creche brought from China in 1943 by missionary, Deacon Katherine Putnam who served there for 33 years. Located inside chapel year round; moved into church during christmas season.

The Nationality Rooms were designed to represent and celebrate the cultures of various ethnic groups that settled in Allegheny County. The thirty-one Nationality Rooms located on the first and third floors of the Cathedral of Learning are a community space where visitors are invited to experience the rich heritage of the communities who inspired and supported their creation. The Nationality Rooms are also in use as university classrooms, giving students the opportunity to engage in learning in a unique setting that helps them to explore the historic diversity of the Pittsburgh region.
The Nationality Rooms are decorated for the holidays and many include creches representative of the cultures.

This privately-owned manger at the US Steel Plaza is a larger-than-life nativity scene. It is the world's only replica of the Vatican's St. Peter's Square display in Rome. Louis D. Astorino, chairman of the Pittsburgh architectural firm L. D. Astorino Companies, was on a business trip in Rome. While there he visited the Vatican's Creche. He was so moved he felt compelled to bring a similar one to Pittsburgh. Astorino sought approval from Vatican officials and procured the actual plans for the creche. He then commissioned its gifted sculptor, Pietro Simonelli, to recreate the figures for Pittsburgh's creche.

Nativity display of over 200 sets. Complimentary cookies and hot and cold beverages. A free will donation will be accepted and all proceeds will be sent to Lutheran Cluster Response to aid in domestic Emergency Assistance.

Located in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina is a beautiful free display of over 150 nativities from around the world.

Annual Creche festival at the Abbey. The theme for 2024 is "Nativity: In Glass and Under Glass." There is no fee to attend but you must register in advance. Registration will be taken on the website starting Oct. 1.

This 4-day self guided event features magnificently created nativity sets and art work from around the world celebrating the life of Jesus, as well as musical performances, crafts, and activities for the whole family to enjoy!

This is a live nativity pageant. The one-hour performance starts in darkness. Special music will begin 30 minutes prior to the pageant. 2024 Dates: Dec 14, 3pm; Dec 15, 3pm; Dec 16, 7pm. Free Admission

Hundreds of nativities artistically displayed, artwork, live music, and children's room.

Billed as "the South's largest Christmas shopping village," the Incredible Christmas Place is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. From ornate to simple, from ceramic to wooden, from realistic to representational, this huge retailer displays and sells a wide variety of nativity sets. Founded as a small business in 1986 by Hurshel and Marian Biggs, the unique holiday shopping village has grown to include 43,000 square feet of shopping space..

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Nativities from around the world.

Cadena Nativity. Display is 32' long, 10' high, 20' deep and has 1287 items collected from California and Mexico over many years by Beatriz Rodriguez Cadena.

This exhibit features nativities on display from many countries and cultures. The annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll is a few blocks, which includes many activities and a holiday market.

"Unique & Unexpected: A Creche Festival"

From the collection of Carolyn Cunningham's international 800+ Nativity scenes, 80 unique scenes each year are on display in the Wayland Baptist University's Mabee Regional Heritage Center.

At the Red Barn. This free event features over 1000 representations of the Nativity from all over the world. to exhibit or donate call/text.

Bethlehem in Denton County is a small gallery built on a family farm Northern Texas. Judy Klein has amassed a large private collection of more than 3,500 creches and nativity scenes. Dating back to the early 19th century and representing over 60 countries and cultures, the depictions of the Holy Family vary in sizes from 6 ft. banners to the tiniest tables whose detail is best viewed with the aid of a magnifying glass on your tour. Guests are welcome to visit Bethlehem in Denton County year round by appointment only. Groups of 12 persons maximum.

Over 1200 nativities on display from 90 countries as well as tasty treats. There is a collection box for non-perishable food items for the Northwest Area Ministries (NAM) at the front door for those who wish to contribute.