The Ford Center’s Holiday Village 2023

The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on the Ole Miss campus offers its Holiday Village again this year. With Thanksgiving break upon us, why not sign up to create a gingerbread house with your family to be showcased this year! Read more to sign up and learn more about the 2023 village.

The Gingerbread Village began in 2010 with the first gingerbread house display open from December 1 through December 17. The first village featured only four gingerbread houses. In subsequent years, the Village grew to include an average of 22 houses each year, created by local families, clubs, community groups, businesses, and school children.

In 2017, the Gingerbread Village was renamed the Holiday Village to reflect the addition of a ceramic winter village with a working train, Santa’s Corner complete with stockings hung by a fireplace, a Lego house display, and a display featuring information about international holiday traditions including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, as well as Christmas. Building a house for the Village has become a tradition for some families. It’s also become a spot for Santa visits and Mrs. Claus reading time.

Julia Aubrey, Director of the Ford Center, recently shared, “The Holiday Village is a popular tradition in Oxford and the surrounding area. It welcomes busloads of school children, exceeding 900 in attendance each year. Many families and community groups include a visit in their annual holiday celebrations. Since its beginning, the Holiday Village has seen thousands of visitors, and served as a collection point for donations to the local food pantries. There is no admission charged, but visitors are asked to bring food items or make a monetary donation for the pantry if they are able.”

So, get your family or friends together to make your gingerbread house for the 2023 Holiday Village! You must sign up using this google doc by November 27th for your gingerbread house to be displayed. All houses chosen must be set up at the Ford Center on November 30th (between 8 am - 5 pm). There will be a story time with Mrs. Claus on Dec. 2nd and Santa will visit on Dec. 9.