Alte Weihnachtsfabrik
Historical Christmas museum with more than 20,000 exhibits and glass tree ornaments in the Alte Weihnachtsfabrik – open from September to early January.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Historical Christmas Museum on Sternenweg forms the heart of the Alte Weihnachtsfabrik in Neustadt bei Coburg. Since 2001 visitors have been able to see more than 20,000 exhibits there that tell the story of Advent and the Christmas festival. The Landesstelle (state agency) for non-state museums in Munich considered the collection exceptionally suitable and the house an important museum in the right place.
The exhibition begins with the Christian roots of the festival, the origin of the nativity scene, and the regionally different gift-bringers such as Saint Nicholas, the Christkind and Santa Claus. It shows various kinds of historical tree decorations made of cotton wadding, luxury paper and leonine wire, as well as the development of the Christmas tree stand. The highlight is the glass Christmas tree ornaments of the last two centuries; a separate area honors the Bohemian glass production from Gablonz.
Further themes are the journey of a glass ornament from a German workshop, via the wholesaler, to an American Christmas tree of the 1820s, and the new start of many glassblowers from the Thuringian Forest in Neustadt after World War II, which contemporary witnesses describe in audio clips. The exhibition concludes with Christmas and advertising, the influence of 1970s pop culture, and current trends. In a re-created American living room, Santa Claus is just disappearing down the chimney.
Highlights
- More than 20,000 exhibits on Advent and Christmas
- Glass tree ornaments from two centuries
- Bohemian glass production from Gablonz
- Audio clips from contemporary witnesses on the postwar years of the glassblowers
- Re-created American living room with Santa Claus
Permanent exhibition
- Historisches Weihnachtsmuseum – From the nativity scene and gift-bringers to historical tree decorations of glass, cotton wadding and paper, and Christmas in advertising and pop culture.
- Founded
- 2001
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Pensioners |
| Children & teens | €4Children up to 16 years. |
| Seniors | €5Pensioners |
| Groups (20+ people) | €4 per personGroups of 20 or more people; children in groups €2.50 per person. |
| Families | €122 adults with up to 3 children |
| Children's group of 20 or more (per child) | €2.50 |
| Museum tour in German (45 min., max. 25 people) | €35Flat rate per group |
| Museum tour in English (45 min., max. 25 people) | €50Flat rate per group |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €12 · 2 adults with up to 3 children |
|---|
Family ticket for 2 adults with up to 3 children; audio clips make the postwar years vivid for young visitors.
Getting there & parking
The Alte Weihnachtsfabrik is located at Sternenweg 2 in Neustadt bei Coburg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Museum tours in German or English for groups of up to 25 people. |
