The Corning Museum of Glass hosts its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, 1 December and Sunday, 2 December from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for a series of family-friendly holiday events and activities.
During the weekend of 1 and 2 December, admission to the Corning Museum of Glass’ annual Holiday Open House is free to all visitors. Enjoy holiday music by local groups, unique glass displays, discounted hands-on glassmaking experiences (fee applies; first come, first served at The Studio), craft activities, and Breakfast or Lunch with Santa (USD 6; book in advance by calling +1.607.438.5500). Visitors to the event are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for children in need; these items will be distributed to local charities.
Visitors to the Museum can, until 5 January 2013:
* See Glittering Holiday Displays: With trees that won’t shed, snowmen that won’t melt, and a feast guaranteed to last the entire holiday season, the Museum has a backdrop for every family’s holiday picture. See two giant trees made entirely of glass ornaments, a life-sized snowmen family, and a holiday feast made entirely of glass. Visitors can even watch the creation of these glass marvels on the Museum’s YouTube channel.
* Make Your Own Glass Ornament or Snowman: Visitors of all ages (as young as preschool) can create their own glass ornaments and snowmen in daily 40-minute glassblowing experiences. The ornament- and snowman-making experiences cost USD 27 per person. These handmade pieces make great holiday gifts or decorations.
* Explore the Galleries with a Winter Wonders Hunt: Children can explore the Museum’s galleries with winter-themed activity sheets to find objects in the Museum’s collection that feature things such as holly, snowflakes, boots and more.
* Give the Gift of Glass: Shoppers can kick off the holiday season at the GlassMarket’s After-Thanksgiving Sale (23-25 November), with discounts of up to 80% throughout the eight boutiques. Shop for unique gifts, including handmade jewellery, decorative ornaments, housewares, gifts for kids, and much more. The Annual Studio Glass Sale (December 1–2) features objects made by artists who teach and create work at The Studio, the Museum’s state-of-the-art glassmaking school.
The Corning Museum of Glass features more than 45,000 glass art and historical objects, spanning more than 3,500 years (the largest collection in the world), hands-on exhibitions highlighting the science and technology of glass, and daily live glass demonstrations.
The Museum is located in Corning, NY – America’s “Crystal City” – in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Corning’s historic downtown Gaffer District hosts an evening “Sparkle” celebration on Saturday, 1 December with Santa in his Crystal House, horse-and-carriage rides and other events. The region is also home to a variety of outdoor activities, natural wonders and a number of holiday events that take place at wine trails and scenic towns.