Where to See Nativity Scenes in the United States

It’s the most famous nativity scene in America, and it stands in one of the museum’s permanent galleries, in front of an 18th-century Spanish choir screen.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Medieval Sculpture Hall, Gallery 305, Fifth Avenue, New York

A 20-foot blue spruce hung with cherubs and about fifty angels, which is why it’s called the Angel Tree. At its base is the crèche: more than two hundred 18th-century Neapolitan figures, about 6 to 20 inches tall. The museum’s page.

Where they came from

Loretta Hines Howard gave them to the museum in stages starting in 1964, not all at once. The display is now paid for by a fund in her name. Forty years later, her daughter, Loretta Howard Sturgis, did the same in Milwaukee.

When

From late November to the first few days of January. This winter’s dates hadn’t been posted when we wrote this. A note on the museum’s page says there’s no lighting ceremony “this year,” without saying which year, so we’ve left that out.

The largest nativity collection in the United States isn’t in an art museum. It’s in a library devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ohio, and admission is reportedly free.

Marian Library Roesch Library, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, Ohio

More than 3,600 nativity sets from more than a hundred cultures, all donated since 1984. Each winter a themed exhibit shows a selection on two floors, with coloring pages and seek-and-find games for families. The collection’s page.

When

November 16, 2026, to January 15, 2027, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus some Saturdays and Sundays in December, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s the only place on this page that has posted both dates and hours for this coming winter on its own website.

Good to know

It isn’t a year-round museum: it follows the library’s hours, and the exhibit is seasonal and changes every year. Local news reports say admission is free; the university’s page doesn’t list a price.

A Pennsylvania town founded by Moravians from Central Europe, which has kept a word and a custom you won’t find anywhere else.

What a putz is

From the German putzen, “to decorate.” It’s a nativity set up at home under the Christmas tree, with old figures arranged in live moss, driftwood and stones. Central Moravian Church builds one for the whole community, with scenes that light up one after another, along with narration and music. It has done this since 1937.

The Christmas City Stroll Starts at 501 Main Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

A guided walking tour of Moravian Christmas traditions that stops at the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in town, and explains the community putz, the candle in every window, the beeswax candles and the Moravian star. November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with tours at 1, 3 and 6 p.m. (the last one by lantern light). $20 for adults, $12 for children. The organizer’s page.

Watch the dates for the putz itself

The putz page announces an opening “on Black Friday, November 28” without giving a year, and Black Friday doesn’t fall on November 28 every year. If you go by that page, you could show up when nothing is open. Use the Stroll as your guide, and call ahead about the putz. To pair it with the town’s Christmas market, see Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem 2026.

A collection given all at once by one person, and shown every winter on the lower level.

Washington National Cathedral 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

The cathedral has about eight hundred nativity sets, most of them from a gift of more than six hundred sets from Beulah Sommer in 1998. A selection is shown every winter on the lower level, in the crypt, which is wheelchair accessible. The cathedral’s page.

How to get in

It’s included in the cathedral’s general admission ticket, with no timed entry. From late November to mid-January; this winter’s dates hadn’t been posted when we wrote this.

Three shorter entries; the last one has already posted its dates.

Carnegie Museum of Art Scaife Gallery 5, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A Neapolitan presepio with figures made between 1700 and 1830 by artists of the royal court of Naples: people, animals, angels and buildings. The museum has displayed it every Christmas season since 1957, from late November to mid-January, included with general admission. The museum’s page.

Glencairn Museum Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

A yearly exhibit, World Nativities: dozens of nativity scenes from around the world. Late November to late January, with a short break in early January; $5 per person, free for children under five. The exhibitions page.

Mission San Juan Capistrano 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, California

During the mission’s holiday lights event, a life-size nativity scene is set up in the ruins of the 1806 Great Stone Church. December 18 to 30, 2026, on certain days only, so check the daily calendar. $23 for adults. The mission’s page.

Beyond the big names above, here are the other places we were able to check, listed by state. Each label tells you how sure the date is: CONFIRMED means the 2026 dates are on the organizer’s own website, USUAL means it comes back every year and we give the last dates we could confirm, YEAR-ROUND means you can go any time it’s open, and REPORTED means we only found it in a reliable outside source, such as local news. For dated events this winter, month by month, see the US nativity events calendar.

Arizona

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights Usual101 S. LeSueur and Visitors’ Center, 455 E. Main St., Mesa

Lights on the temple grounds with scenes from the Christmas story, and hundreds of nativity sets from around the world in the visitors’ center, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Free. Last confirmed November 28 to December 30, 2025, nightly 5 to 10 p.m.; 2026 details hadn’t been released when we checked. Official page.

Arkansas

The Living Nativity, Searcy First Assembly Usual101 Benton Ave., Searcy

A drive-through Bethlehem with Roman guards at the gate, costumed townspeople, animals and the manger at the end. Usually about seven nights over two weekends in early December, 6 to 9 p.m. Local tourism listing.

California

Las Posadas on Olvera Street Every yearEl Pueblo de Los Angeles, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles

Nine evenings, December 16 to 24: children dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels and shepherds go from door to door asking for shelter, with songs in Spanish and English, and a nativity scene is set up on Olvera Street for the season. Free. Olvera Street’s page.

Christmas Crèche Exhibit Usual3865 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Nativity scenes from around the world, with marionette shows, crafts for kids and live music, hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. Free. The 38th edition ran December 6 to 10, 2025, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m. Official site.

A World of Nativities Usual1780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa

More than two hundred nativity sets, with quilts, bell choirs and a Christmas concert. Free. Usually the first weekend of December; the 28th edition ran December 5 to 7, 2025. Official site.

Christmas at Temple Hill Usual4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland

White stone nativity statues on the grounds and free guided tours of artwork showing Christ’s birth, booked at the visitors’ center. Usually late November to December 31. Official page.

Colorado

Light of the World Christmas Experience Usual8710 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs

Hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world, an outdoor living nativity with real sheep and cattle, and a concert, hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. Free. A few days in early December. Official site.

Connecticut

The Regina Laudis Crèche Year-roundAbbey of Regina Laudis, 249 Flanders Road, Bethlehem

An 18th-century Neapolitan crèche of 68 figures, each 14 to 16 inches tall and still in their original clothes, shown in an 18th-century barn at a Benedictine abbey. It was given to the nuns in 1949. Free. Open from Easter to January 6; the abbey’s pages give slightly different hours, so call ahead (203-266-7727). The abbey’s page.

The Spirit of Christmas UsualBlessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, 1 State St., New Haven

A yearly exhibit of nativity scenes and religious art from around the world, in the building that used to be the Knights of Columbus Museum. Free. Last held November 8, 2025, to February 1, 2026, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center’s page.

District of Columbia

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Usual400 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington

Manger scenes among the Christmas decorations, one of them nearly life-size. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, after the 4:30 p.m. Mass, families can bring the Baby Jesus from their home nativity to be blessed: the blessing of the Bambinelli. In 2026, that Sunday is December 20.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America Year-round1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington

A full-size replica of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, seen on the monastery’s free guided tours. Each winter the visitor center also shows a collection of nativities from around the world; the last dates we could confirm were December 1, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Visiting the monastery.

Florida

Nativities at the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum Usual32 Aviles St., St. Augustine

The Sisters of St. Joseph show their collection of nativity sets from around the world on three floors of a historic house, from tiny carved figures to a large Italian set. Free. Usually mid-November to mid-January, Tuesday to Saturday. The museum’s page.

Indiana

Festival of Nativities ConfirmedSt. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center, 1440 W. Division Road, Tipton

More than three hundred nativity sets displayed through the retreat house. December 12 and 13, 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Official page.

Kansas

Festival of Nativities UsualCentenary United Methodist Church, 245 N. Fourth St., Lawrence

More than 470 nativity scenes from cultures around the world, shown every December since 1994. Free. Usually three December weekends, noon to 4 p.m. The church’s page.

Kentucky

Crestwood Festival of Nativities Reported6401 Westwind Way, Crestwood

Around six hundred nativity sets, a living nativity and evening concerts, hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. Free. Usually the first weekend of December. Local listing.

Louisiana

International Crèche Exhibit ReportedFriends of St. Alphonsus, 2025 Constance St., New Orleans

A yearly crèche exhibit in the historic St. Alphonsus church in the Irish Channel, usually the week after Thanksgiving. Friends of St. Alphonsus. For the bonfires on the levee and other customs, see Christmas in Louisiana.

Maryland

Festival of Lights UsualWashington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington

More than a hundred nativity scenes from around the world indoors, and half a million lights outside. Free, but you need a free timed parking pass. Last held December 4, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Official page.

Holiday Train Garden ConfirmedFire Museum of Maryland, 1301-R York Road, Lutherville

A Baltimore-style Christmas garden with toy trains running through a small town. It opens November 28, 2026. We couldn’t confirm whether it includes a nativity scene, but it’s an easy way to see the Christmas garden tradition described below. The museum’s site.

Massachusetts

Christmas Festival of Lights and International Crèche Museum ConfirmedNational Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro

One of the largest nativity collections you can visit in the country: about 2,000 nativity scenes from more than 100 countries, plus more than a million lights outside. November 21, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The crèche museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the lights 5 to 9 p.m. Free; donations welcome. The shrine’s page.

Michigan

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland Year-round25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth

A huge Christmas store with a large nativity department, and a replica of the Silent Night Memorial Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, on the grounds. Open almost every day of the year. Hours.

Midland Nativity Exhibit Usual1700 W. Sugnet Road, Midland

A weekend of nativity scenes, art and music. Usually the first weekend of December; last held December 5 to 7, 2025. Official site.

NativitySEEN UsualGood News Baptist Church, 6830 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids

More than three hundred nativity scenes. Last held December 5 to 7, 2025, 3 to 8 p.m.; free. Official site.

Missouri

Annual Nativity Display ConfirmedFranciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tau Center, 335 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood

Nearly two hundred nativity sets, many from countries where the sisters have served, plus a hands-on room for kids. December 12 and 13, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Instead of a ticket, the sisters ask for donations of household goods for a local charity. The sisters’ events page.

Nevada

Living Nativity at Glittering Lights UsualLas Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas

Volunteers from local churches act out the nativity along the route of a big drive-through light show, on select nights in November and December. Seen with your Glittering Lights ticket. Official page.

New Jersey

The Living Nativity ConfirmedFellowship Community Church, 1520 Hainesport Road, Mount Laurel

A walk past thirteen outdoor scenes with live actors, running for more than thirty years. December 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m. Free. Official site.

New Mexico

Las Posadas on the Plaza UsualPalace of the Governors, Santa Fe Plaza

A candlelit procession in which Mary and Joseph look for shelter around the Plaza, with carols and hot cider at the end. Free. One evening in early December; the 49th edition was December 7, 2025. Official page.

New York

St. Patrick’s Cathedral UsualFifth Avenue, New York

A nativity scene goes up on the First Sunday of Advent and stays through the Christmas season. The Baby Jesus isn’t placed in the manger until Midnight Mass. The archdiocese’s article.

North Carolina

Moravian Candle Tea ConfirmedSingle Brothers’ House, 600 S. Main St., Old Salem, Winston-Salem

Held since 1929: a guided visit with candle-making, carols, coffee and sugar cake, ending at the putz, a miniature of old Salem with a nativity of large hand-carved German figures. December 3 to 5 and 10 to 12, 2026. $9, $5 for ages 3 to 12. The building isn’t wheelchair accessible. Official page.

North Dakota

Festival of Nativity Usual3740 Crossing St. SW, Minot

A community display of nativity scenes hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. Last held December 5 and 6, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.; free. Official site.

Oklahoma

Bartlesville Festival of the Nativity UsualFather Lynch Hall, St. John Catholic School, 121 W. 8th St., Bartlesville

Hundreds of nativity sets from around the world, in a free festival shared by the town’s churches. Usually the first weekend of December. Official site.

Pennsylvania

Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum Year-round4355 County Line Road, Chalfont

More than two hundred nativity sets from around the world and an 18th-century Italian presepio, on view all year. Free. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum’s page.

National Christmas Center ConfirmedStone Gables Estate, Elizabethtown

A Christmas museum with a collection of more than a thousand nativity sets from around the world. The Christmas season opens November 20, 2026. $25 for adults, $15 for ages 5 to 17. Closed Sundays. Official site.

Christmas Putz UsualMoravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth

A family putz with lights and a narrated Christmas story, a short drive from Bethlehem. Usually late November to early January, daily 1 to 4 p.m. Official page.

Lititz Moravian Putz UsualLititz Moravian Church, 8 Church Square, Lititz

Thirteen lighted scenes in live moss and driftwood, with hand-painted figures, Scripture readings and choir music. Usually Saturdays in December, noon to 3 p.m., and evenings between Christmas and New Year’s. The church’s page.

The Pittsburgh Crèche UsualU.S. Steel Tower plaza, Grant Street, Pittsburgh

A huge outdoor nativity, described as the only authorized replica of the one in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, shown every year since 1999. Open around the clock from Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night in late November until January 6. Free. The diocese’s article.

South Carolina

Mepkin Abbey Crèche Festival Confirmed1098 Mepkin Abbey Road, Moncks Corner

The Trappist monks’ collection of nativity scenes, set up indoors and out along a short walking route. The 2026 theme is nativities with stone. November 16 to 21 and November 27 to December 5, 2026, with timed entry from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required. Registration page.

Tennessee

McMinnville Nativity Festival Reported562 Shangri La Lane, McMinnville

Hundreds of nativity scenes, with live music, artwork and a children’s room. One weekend in mid-December; last held December 12 to 14, 2025. City of McMinnville.

Texas

The Community Nativity Celebration Confirmed4000 Nazarene Drive, Carrollton

More than seven hundred nativity sets from all over the world, made of everything from wood and glass to chocolate, hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. December 4 to 7, 2026. Free. Official site.

Bethlehem Revisited ConfirmedCentral Presbyterian Church, Waxahachie

A walk through a re-created Bethlehem, held since 1997, with merchants, camels, sheep and a nightly procession of the Wise Men. December 4 to 6 and 11 to 13, 2026, 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Local tourism listing.

El Nacimiento UsualMexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave., Austin

A Mexican nativity of more than four hundred pieces, showing regional styles of nacimiento-making. Usually early December to early January. The museum’s page.

Utah

Live Nativity at Tuacahn Usual1100 Tuacahn Drive, Ivins, near St. George

A short outdoor living nativity against red-rock cliffs, with camels, donkeys and sheep, as part of Christmas in the Canyon. Usually Thanksgiving weekend to December 23, Monday to Saturday. Official page.

Temple Square, Salt Lake City Usual

For years, nativity scenes from around the world have been part of the Christmas lights on Temple Square. Much of the square is under renovation, so check before you go; 2026 plans hadn’t been announced when we looked. Church News, 2025.

Virginia

Bethlehem Walk ConfirmedSalem Baptist Church, 465 Broad Street Road, Manakin-Sabot

An outdoor walk through Bethlehem, with Roman soldiers, a marketplace and the stable, put on by several churches together. December 2 to 6, 2026. Free. Official site.

Washington

Bellevue Festival of the Nativity Confirmed15205 SE 28th St., Bellevue

Hundreds of crèches from around the world, live music and children’s activities, hosted by local Latter-day Saint congregations. December 5 to 13, 2026, 1 to 9 p.m. Free. Official site.

Know a nativity scene in your state that belongs here? Tell us, or send us a photo.

America imported the nativity scene, then gave it two forms and two names found nowhere else.

Putz

From the German putzen, “to decorate.” The nativity you set up under the Christmas tree at home, brought over by the Moravians who founded Bethlehem in 1741. You don’t buy it ready-made. You build it, with moss, wood, stones and whatever figures you have. The Bethlehem community putz is this home custom on a big scale.

Christmas garden

The Baltimore version: a raised wooden platform around the Christmas tree, edged with a little picket fence, holding a nativity scene, miniature houses or a whole village. It started in German immigrant communities in the late 1800s and really took off after 1903, when ready-made strings of electric lights went on sale, and later with electric trains.

An honest word about its origins

The Maryland Center for History and Culture itself says the exact origins of the Christmas garden are unclear, and that it’s probably an American invention built on a German craft rather than a direct import. Their article. We’d rather tell you that than a story that’s too neat.

This is uniquely American, and it explains where the places on this page are. We give the facts without taking sides.

Lynch v. Donnelly, March 5, 1984

The city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, put up a Christmas display every year: Santa’s house, reindeer, candy canes, a Christmas tree, carolers, a “Seasons Greetings” banner, and a nativity scene that had been part of it for more than forty years. The Court ruled five to four that the city had not violated the Establishment Clause: the display had a secular purpose and gave religion only an “indirect, remote, and incidental” benefit.

County of Allegheny v. ACLU, July 3, 1989

Two displays in Pittsburgh, two opposite outcomes. The nativity scene on the Grand Staircase of the county courthouse was found to violate the Establishment Clause and was permanently barred: it stood alone, in the building’s most prominent spot, and wasn’t part of a larger display. But a Hanukkah menorah set up outside another building, next to a large Christmas tree and a sign, was allowed.

What it means for a visitor

The issue isn’t the nativity scene itself, but where and how a government body displays it. In practice, that means the great nativity scenes in the United States are mostly in museums, churches and on private property, which is exactly where this page sends you.