A blue gingerbread house decorated with icing, labeled Dashers Donuts, sits on snowy white frosting with candy trees and a donut sign on the roof. Green garland is in the background.

Gingerbread Village

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Step into a Gingerbread Village!

Ever dreamed of walking through a gingerbread village? Now’s your chance! Introducing the NEW and Improved Gingerbread Village, replacing the large house traditionally crafted by the talented students at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI). This year, explore an enchanting village filled with tabletop gingerbread creations from students, staff, professionals, and even children as part of our exciting gingerbread competition.

Wander through this sugary paradise and marvel at the incredible displays! Join us from December 7th – 15th, with hours on Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, for an unforgettable holiday experience. With live entertainment, cookie decorating, yule log classes, and chef demos, there’s something for everyone. Make sure you stop by our craft table, coloring corner and be sure to say hello to Santa and write him a letter and place it in the North Pole mailbox. Don’t miss out on purchasing gingerbread cookie decorating kits for the kids to keep the holiday fun going!

This year’s Gingerbread Village is bigger, better, and sweeter than ever. Don’t miss out on the magic—add this to your holiday calendar and experience the fun firsthand! Tickets will be available for purchase during the Gingerbread Village hours.

Gingerbread Competition

Letters to Santa

Holiday coloring sheet

Schedule of Events

At Lunch with Elsa, little ones will enjoy whimsical, Frozen-inspired dishes like Snowflake Cheese Quesadillas, Anna’s Warm Heart Soup, and Sven’s Carrots and Dip.

Lunch with Elsa

Make your own gingerbread house from home by watching a demo by NFCI’s Chef Cathy Barron.
Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies
Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies

Cookie kit

For those who prefer to experience the magic of Gingerbread Village from the comfort of their homes, we have a limited number of take-home kits available for purchase. Kits include two gingerbread men cookie kits with frosting and sprinkles.

cookie kits – $10/each
Take-home craft & cookie kits can be purchased at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute located at 28 Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls during Gingerbread Village hours.

Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies
Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies
child smiling and holding gingerbread cookie
child smiling and holding gingerbread cookie

Crafts at the bookstore

Kids can work on them in store or take them to go. NFCI Barnes and Noble will be open Saturday’s 10:00-5:00pm and Sunday’s 11:00-4:00pm.

  • Christmas bingo
  • Christmas crafts
  • Coloring sheets
  • Playing Christmas movies
  • Story time
child smiling and holding gingerbread cookie
child smiling and holding gingerbread cookie

Savor Seasonal Wine Dinner

Italian bread
Burrata, Balsamic, EVOO

Seared Scallop
Romesco, Pickled Fennel, Fried Fingerlings

Roasted Chestnut Bisque
Maple, Roasted Chestnuts, Creme Fraiche, Sage

Osso Buco
Risotto Milanese, Lemon Herb Gremolata

Assorted Cannoli

Festive Mixology Delights

Lauren Gorodetsky from Hartman’s Distilling Co.- Mixology Instructor
$35/pp

Festive Mixology Delights

Chai in the Sky- a Chai old fashioned
Get Figgy With It- a fig sour
Not My Gumdrop Buttons- a gingerbread martini

Volunteer opportunities for “Gingerbread Village 2025” are now open.

Want to Volunteer?

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn’t work) to go to the signup sheet.

Volunteer Now

Contact

  • Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
  • 28 Old Falls Street
    Niagara Falls, NY 14303
  • Phone: 716-210-2525

Our reception desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (EST).