Looking for something to do for the holidays? Head to the Folger Shakespeare Library for the first annual Folger Frost Fair, a winter celebration that will officially kick off on Friday, Nov. 29, and run through Jan. 5, 2025.
Winter greenery, lights, ornaments, and other festive elements will decorate the newly renovated, historic building. Docents and staff will be on hand to offer free pop-up talks about the Folger’s history and architecture. Complimentary activities for kids and adults will be offered throughout the month alongside longstanding Folger holiday traditions like Folger Consort’s holiday concert and Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute Reading. Make memories at the Family Acting Workshop! More details below.
Starting Dec. 6, you’ll also find a Book Nook, a winter photo station in the East Lobby and a Holiday seek-and-find game for the kids.
Folger says the idea for the Frost Fair was inspired by the frost fairs held in London when the River Thames completely froze in winters between the 1600s and 1800s. Londoners used the frozen river as an opportunity to take daily life to the ice—setting up stalls and booths selling food and drink and conducting commerce. People played games and held contests. There were even printing presses on the ice from which souvenir postcards and prints were sold.
“There is an ingenuity in how frost fairs brought people together in the winter hundreds of years ago that made it feel like the perfect inspiration for a winter celebration at the Folger today,” said Folger Director Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper. “The carnival-like atmosphere on the ice in the 17th century drew people out in spite of the cold. We want to welcome people with the same cheerful bustle of activity, along with the warmth and light of the holiday season.”
Timed-entry holders and walk-up visitors to the Folger will be welcome to participate in all the free activities offered, including the following highlights:
- Folger History Pop-Ups: Visitor Experience staff and docents will be stationed in each exhibition gallery, the Theatre, and the Reading Room to offer architectural highlights, the history of each space, and other interesting facts. Pop-up dates are November 29–December 1, December 26–29, and December 31. Pop-ups will run from noon to 5pm on the scheduled dates. The Reading Room will be open for Folger History Pop-Ups on all above dates except November 29 and December 31.
- Photo Station: Everyone is invited to make some holiday memories at a festive winter photo station in the Folger’s East Lobby. The photo station will be ready on December 6.
- Holiday Seek-and-Find: Beginning on December 10, children can take the lead through the galleries and historic spaces at the Folger as they seek out characters pictured in the guide.
- Printing Press Demonstrations: Folger staff will be pulling pages on the Folger’s working printing press in the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall throughout the season. Visitors might even get to take printed souvenirs home with them. Check the website for specific dates and times.
- Book Nook: Friends and families are invited to read books or play games provided in the nook, which will be situated in the Great Hall near the Quill & Crumb seating area. Beginning December 6.
Other programs require free registration or ticket purchases. These include:
- Folger Friday Holiday Singalong | Friday, Dec. 13. Choral director and The Voice contestant (season 25) L. Rodgers will lead participants in a singalong in the Great Hall. Warm beverages will add to the seasonal cheer. (Free with registration)
- Folger Holiday Consort: The Folger’s early modern music ensemble will perform Charpentier’s Mass along with joyful instrumental concertos by Italian baroque masters in the Folger’s historic theatre, which will be decorated for the holidays. (Purchase tickets for shows from Dec. 6-15)
- Emily Dickinson Birthday Poetry Reading | Tuesday, Dec. 10 Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award winner Kimiko Hahn will read, followed by a conversation moderated by Poet and civil rights lawyer Sunu Chandy. Guests will be invited to share in a slice of Dickinson’s famous black cake prepared by SugaChef Desserts during the reception. (Purchase tickets)
- Family Acting Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 14: Children and families are invited to try out their Shakespearean acting skills in this free family workshop. (Free with registration.)
The Folger Shop will kick off the Frost Fair with 10 percent off all purchases made in the store from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1. From Dec. 20 to 22, holiday shoppers will again receive 10 percent off all purchases as well as free gift-wrapping. will receive an extra 10 percent during both holiday shopping weekends.
For the complete lineup of programming in the Folger Frost Fair, including promotions from the Folger Shop and Quill & Crumb, please visit folger.edu/frostfair.
