Join us for a festive afternoon at The Morgan Library & Museum’s annual Family Fair, a delightful holiday tradition perfect for all ages. Celebrate the season with enchanting activities inspired by Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and our captivating current exhibitions. From theatrical performances to creative art-making workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s family fair.
2:00–3:45 PM
Welcome & Raffle: Kick Off the Family Fun!
Begin your family fair adventure at our Welcome Table! Check in to receive your schedule of events and enter our exciting raffle for a chance to win special prizes. Get ready for an afternoon filled with holiday cheer and engaging activities for the whole family.
A Christmas Carol Comes to Life!
Experience the magic of A Christmas Carol with the acclaimed Grand Falloons company! Strolling performers, including Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and the Ghost of Christmas Present, will bring Victorian-era charm to the family fair. Be captivated by delightful magic and festive music as these characters bring Dickens’s timeless tale to life right before your eyes.
Step into a Dickens Scene: Photo Fun for Families
Create a memorable family fair keepsake! Pose as a character from A Christmas Carol with our fun head-in-the-hole board. Mimicking the iconic illustrations of John Leech from Punch magazine, this interactive photo opportunity is perfect for capturing the spirit of the season and creating lasting memories with your loved ones.
Design Your Own Bookplate: A Belle Greene Inspired Activity
Unleash your creativity at our bookplate workshop! Inspired by Belle da Costa Greene, The Morgan’s first director and avid reader, you can design your own personalized bookplate. This engaging activity encourages artistic expression and celebrates the love of reading, making it a perfect family fair activity for book lovers of all ages. Create a unique bookplate for your favorite stories!
Surreal Headgear Creation: Get Inspired by Kafka
Step into the surreal world of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis with a whimsical art project. Transform yourself by designing unique headgear using a variety of mixed media materials. Feathers, felt, ribbons, and more await to help you craft a fantastical creation in this imaginative family fair workshop.
Quiet Space: Sensory-Friendly Respite
Take a peaceful break in one of the Morgan’s historic rooms. Our designated Quiet Space offers sensory-friendly supports, including fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and books. This provides a calm and relaxing environment for families who need a moment of tranquility during the bustling family fair.
Film Screening: The Snowman (1982)
Enjoy a heartwarming screening of the classic animated film The Snowman (1982, 26 minutes, rated G). Based on the beloved picture book, this enchanting film tells the story of a boy’s magical friendship with a snowman and their journey to the North Pole. Screenings will take place every half hour, offering a cozy cinematic experience at the family fair.
2:15–2:45 PM and 3:15–3:45 PM
A Christmas Carol Off the Shelves: Library Reading Performance
Don’t miss this special ticketed performance! Be mesmerized as the Grand Falloons company presents A Christmas Carol in Pierpont Morgan’s historic library. Ghosts and spirits will come alive in this lively and merry rendition of Dickens’s masterpiece, performed right among the library shelves. Tickets are free and available at the Family Fair Welcome Desk starting at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 14th. Please note that strollers are not permitted in the performance space.
3:45 PM
Closing Carols: Festive Finale in the Court
Join the Grand Falloons one last time as they conclude the afternoon with a joyful sing-along of classic holiday carols in the Court. This musical finale is the perfect way to end your memorable family fair experience.
Extend your museum visit by exploring our current exhibitions and discover the original manuscript of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol in the West Room of J. Pierpont Morgan’s library (Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol ).
All family fair activities are free with museum admission. Children twelve and under enjoy free admission to The Morgan.
For accessibility inquiries or further program information, please email [email protected].
Please be advised that the East Room of the Historic Library will be closed between 2:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, December 14, 2024, for a performance as part of the Winter Family Fair. We apologize for any inconvenience.
