If you are looking for a free holiday event to do in downtown Seattle this is worth checking out. It's inside, warm and dry. I would not come here solely for this event, but I would add it on to something you are already doing in Seattle. If you come on Sunday you might be able to score free street parking, but this is challenging. There is a Starbucks inside, places to sit and a bathroom. I have seen much bigger and impressive displays in other cities, but I am certain people worked hard to make these happen. We waited in a long line, but it was a good chance to visit and socialize with our group. You do stand the whole time so beware for those that this is difficult for. When you finally get to the entrance there were some people passing out free candy canes. This year there are only a few houses, but 2 of them are fantastic and photo worthy. The theme is this year is "Toy Shop Time Machine". It supports Breakthrough T1D. You can certainly take your time looking at the gingerbread houses and take photos and videos, but the actual time needed to walk thru is very small, its the line waiting that takes forever. read more

Gingerbread Village - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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While the gingerbread creations are amazing, and awe-inspiring, the lines can be long. Too long for the quick visit, to be honest. But the young employees handing out mini candy canes are kind and full of smiles. read more

Gingerbread Village - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Entry to the exhibit is free, but this is a fundraiser. This is located inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel on 6th St. You just walk into the lobby and you'll see it off to your left. The space they have this set up in is very small. Luckily, when I went there weren't a lot of people. They do have it roped off, so I'm assuming they do get a line at times. The gingerbread houses were beautifully done and they pictures don't do them justice. You can tell the creators put a lot of work into these displays. This is a great exhibit to check out if you're in the area. If you're making the trek specifically for this, you might be underwhelmed. read more

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The Sheraton Grand has been hosting this annual event for some time now, and this year's theme is "The Chocolate Factory." It runs for a few weeks during the holiday season, and while the event is free, they welcome donations for a charitable cause. Featuring four charming and intricately detailed houses, it's a must-visit if you find yourself in the area. read more

Gingerbread Village - 2023 - "The Chocolate Factory" - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The Gingerbread Village is a collection of elaborate gingerbread displays located at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Seattle. This is an annual event that occurs from the end of November to the end of December. This tradition's purpose is to benefit the JDRF, a nonprofit funder for type 1 diabetes research. Teams of architecture firms and other builders come together to build these massive gingerbread houses that are truly outstanding and works of art. You can vote for the best display and donate to help fund research to find a cure. There is a different theme every year; this year's theme was Buzz Lightyear. We went on a Friday at around 6:45pm and there was no line and only a handful of groups looking through the displays. Overall it took like 10 minutes to see all the displays. Would I stand in line and wait 30+ minutes or pay for parking just to see the displays? Personally, no. It was a nice thing to see though and it's nice to say that I went. read more

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A Sheraton tradition, this year is "wonka " themed. Here's the thing, we're visiting on 12/27 at 4pm. Off peak is the best peak. No line. Only a few other families inside. The gingerbread houses, or more like spectacular mansions, are cool, but there are only 4 so my 6 year old got bored quickly. I would hate to stand in a long ass line for this. But going at the time we did, it was a fun thing to see. It runs until January 1st. read more

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What a disappointment. After standing in line for an hour, with one- and three-year olds, the displays were really not like gingerbread houses at all. And nothing like it had been in past years. What happened?! read more

So I'll rate this in two parts. This is for a great cause, bringing awareness to a very serious illness, type 1 diabetes in juveniles, it's great to go and donate and have some family fun while you're there. Now to the experience, it's an extremely long wait to see only 5 gingerbread houses. I think at minimum our wait was about 2 hours and our time spent looking at each house was 1-3 minutes. I've never been here before, so I don't know how the event normally is, but I do wish there was some type of faster procession. I think the overall wait was just a bit too much it gets hot, and humid, lines are cramped, and parents with rowdy children make for a somewhat uncomfortable situation. I think it's important to remember ultimately this isn't your house nor your child's play room and letting your children run around and wrestle or what have you on the lobby of a hotel is probably not ok. I don't think I'd return the following year, but would definitely support the cause. read more

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It's admirable the public displays are for a good cause and the amount of effort put into building these gingerbread houses, but frankly I wouldn't wait any longer than ten minutes to see them. Inside the room is a small allocated space with five large gingerbread houses. I had thought there would be more houses, but each was well designed with a backstory and even incorporated moving miniatures. Like most of the other people there, I left after just a few minutes. Seeing that people had to wait in line for two hours, I came fifteen minutes early at 8:45 AM. To my surprise, there was nobody there, probably because it was on a Friday. By opening time, about a dozen people were present. If you are a guest of the hotel, then you can enter at anytime using your room card. read more

Gingerbread Village - Santa's Workshop Gingerbread House (left) and Cookie Elves Gingerbread House (right). - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle is a popular holiday attraction in Seattle that is currently in its 24th year. It runs from late November through New Year's Day and seems to grow in popularity every year. This attraction is located in the lobby of the hotel. Follow the signs at the entrance to find it. There is a new theme every year and this year's iteration is based on the Harry Potter books. It is free to view, though they are taking donations to benefit JDRF. A bit ironic since JDRF is a non-profit for juvenile diabetes research. I visited this attraction for the first time over the weekend and sort of regret that mistake. The lines on a Sunday afternoon were long. They stretched all the way towards the lounge area on the Pike Street side of the hotel. It was a good 40-45 minutes wait before I got to the front of the line and was able to see the gingerbread displays up close. My mistake was that I didn't know beforehand that the displays are available for viewing 24 hours a day. So if you want to avoid the crowds, I would come here early in the morning or later in the evening. On the weekends, expect to see a lot of families here. There are 6 displays, one each for a different Harry Potter book. Not sure why they didn't make a 7th one to match the number of the books in the series. I was amazed at how intricate and detailed each display was. The use of light, motion and sound also was quite cool. If you are in downtown Seattle to see the holiday tree and lights, this attraction is worth viewing as well. Though try to visit it at an off time to minimize your wait to see it. read more

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I've checked this off the Seattle holiday tradition list. I don't do Christmas so not really interested in this, but it's my last Christmas in the area for a few years. It was nearly an hour wait to see six very elaborate piles of sugar-coated gingerbread. I was hoping for some story or sequence to the displays, but it was six individual interpretations of the Grinch story. However, it is a fundraiser, so I'm glad others get more from it than I do. Oh, well. I can say I've been. read more

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#1 WAY TO WASTE TIME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON If you rejoice in 2+ hours in line to see a poorly-lit display of mediocre mountains of candy that takes no more than two minutes to walk through, this one's for you! Almost anything in DT Seattle would be a better use of your time, but that won't prevent you and other hapless families from getting caught up in this mess. So go ahead, waste a morning, afternoon, and/or evening loitering in a hotel lobby with no payoff. Seasons greetings! read more

Gingerbread Village - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Beautiful display of the gingerbread village featuring the Grinch. There are 5 elaborate displays, the walkthrough is free but a donation is suggested. Long lines to see the display and it's over in under 10 minutes. Suggest maybe going early or later. Display is open from 9-9. read more

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In the past, the Gingerbread houses were in the lobby of the Sheraton. Now it's moved into a ballroom. The whole event is a fundraiser for diabetes and includes 6 gingerbread houses with information on the kids that helped make it. My boyfriend and I went and were in line for 1 hour and a half to see 6 gingerbread houses which were cool but not worth the wait if you have squirmy kids. They had the Grinch playing on a TV to entertain the kids in the crowd and gave out candy canes. read more

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Visiting the Gingerbread Village at City Centre (new location) in downtown Seattle is another must-do on my family's holiday outing list. The City Centre is located in the heart of downtown Seattle. This year's event has a new location: Instead of being located in the lobby of the Sheraton, it's located across the street from the Sheraton in the lobby on the City Centre building.  The lobby is transformed with the most amazing gingerbread creations that you have ever seen. Last year's theme, was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter . This year's showcase features "25 Years of Cheer: A Celebration of Seattle" and will mark the 25th anniversary. Gingerbread Village will be displayed from November 21, 2017 to January 1, 2018. I'm amazed at what people can make with gingerbread and candy. It's like nothing you've ever seen. The event is free to the public, with donations benefitting JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Last year's Gingerbread Village, inspired by the magical wizarding world, raised a record-breaking $105,000 for the Northwest chapter of JDRF. The gingerbread houses are located throughout the lobby, which features not one but two Starbucks to keep spirits up. Plus, for the first time, at least some of the gingerbread houses are visible through the windows of the building in case the crowds get too large for little tempers to stand. read more

Gingerbread Village - 2017 - Festivals Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I look forward to the Sheraton's Gingerbread Village every holiday season! It's one of those fun annual events that's become a tradition for me. The Sheraton Hotel has been hosting a Gingerbread Village for the past 25 years, where in the lobby of the hotel, the public are invited to see and take pictures of the elaborate gingerbread buildings, as a benefit to JDRF. Donations are welcomed at the space, where you can put however much you want to contribute in the bin. But, the event is free. This year in particular, the Gingerbread Village is located at the City Centre building across from the Sheraton due to the space being renovated. The theme is also particularly special because it's the 25th anniversary of the Gingerbread Village, so the theme is SEATTLE! I loved this year's theme, and was so impressed by the artists' predictions and interpretations of what the future Seattle will look like. In one particular exhibit, it showed the Sodo area in year, 2080 where around the stadiums are tall, modern skyscrapers and there's a Sonics arena! Across the exhibit is what the historic Pioneer Square area looks like in another exhibit, which included depictions of the great Seattle fire from 1889! It was just so cool and interesting to see how people view Seattle then, now and what will become of it, through the intricate and colorful Gingerbread Village displays. I highly recommend visiting, at least once during the holiday season! It's a great way to admire the artists' work, while also learning more about the partnership with JDRF. Don't forget your camera! read more

I was so impressed with the staff and the food was absolutely the best.. If you truly want a meal like you remembered from years ago this is the place.. I can't speak more highly of this lovely lil family style restaurant.. We would love to thank them all for the great hospitality and putting in such a effort to making great quality food....... Paul & Aarica read more

For years now I've been going to the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton and love all the displays. This year, it was a little disappointing. The wait was for over an hr and with like 5 gingerbread villages. Usually there's alot more than that. I know it's for a good cause/charity but this was the first year I didn't felt like my time waiting in line was worth what I say read more

This a great stop to bring family. They have gingerbread houses spread throughout the City Centre. Each years theme is different. We were already downtown and it was great to pass by and see this. It really is a work of art and you can tell those people that made it are very good at what they do. read more

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You must visit the gingerbread houses!! They are awesome everytime that I go!! The lines can be long but it is always worth it!!! Also now that there is a starbucks in the lobby my family gets a drink and snack and then waits in line!! The gingerbread houses have been one of the most memoral experiences I have! This is a must go place!! That you should visit every year!! read more

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This was not worth the 1-1/2 hour wait in line to see five displays. Bring back the larger more diverse displays!

So sad to scratch this holiday tradition off our list! This has become a frustrating and disappointing event. How could the folks who organize this really think ANYONE would enjoy waiting in a hot line over an hour (I don't wait that to ride Disneyland rides) to see 6 tiny, not impressive gingerbreads that you can't even walk around to see the whole thing and a very dark fabric backdrop behind it. (makes for terrible pictures) Heed my warning and that of the previous reviewers and skip it. All 6 of us including the kids were begging to leave the line and never return. read more

These are not just gingerbread houses these are culinary pieces of art. The amount of detail that are in these masterpieces is breathtaking. The amount of sugar work and artistry is something everyone needs to go see!! Maybe just try to go in a off time to avoid the lines since there is such a demand. read more

We have been to the gingerbread house display every year for 12 years. This year was the first time I was disappointed. Where previously the display was in the lobby, this year the long line was funneled through a narrow back hallway and into a small room with 6 houses that were more a light display than creativity. But, seriously, only 6 houses. There were more like 15 in the past. The line moved very slowly (11/2 hrs), and was very hot. So sad about this, but our 12 year old grandson remarked that we won't do this in the coming years. read more

If I could give no stars I would. Might let people know you are closed on Yelp. Showed up, wasted gas money, 7 DOLLARS FOR PARKING, and guess what? No village. Sincerely pissed read more