Folger Frost Fair
Fri, Nov 28, 2025 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026
Celebrate the season with a month-long winter festival at the Folger. Enjoy festive decorations, holiday music, free activities, and more.
Free activities throughout Frost Fair
Walk-up Tours
Join us for free half-hour walk-up tours on topics like the architecture of the Folger Shakespeare Library and the story of its founders, Henry and Emily Folger. (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm, Dec 2–30, excluding Dec 25)
Holiday Seek-and-Find
Kids, take the lead through the galleries and historic spaces at the Folger to seek out characters pictured in our holiday guide.
Printing Press Demonstrations
Visit the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall to see our replica 17th-century printing press in action. Schedule
Storytimes
Bring your kids for storytime at the Folger, in partnership with the DC Public Library. Join us on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in Quill & Crumb, with additional storytimes taking place in the Reading Room during the week of Christmas. More details to come.
Craft Stations
Get crafty! We’ll provide materials to make ornaments, paper crowns, and hand fans. Plus, we’ll have coloring pages from the Folger collection.
What is a frost fair?
The idea for the Folger 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, and there were even printing presses on the ice from which souvenir postcards and prints were sold.
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.
Folger Director Farah Karim-Cooper
Shopping for holiday gifts
Members receive an extra 10% discount on all purchases. Become a member
Nov 30
- Discounts for Museum Store Sunday
- Complimentary gift-wrapping, with purchase
Dec 20–22
- Complimentary gift-wrapping, with purchase
Family Tea
A gift to the whole family! All ages are welcome at our special Afternoon Tea on Friday, December 26, in the Reading Room. It’s perfect for a memorable gathering around the holidays. Sign up to receive an email when tickets go on sale.
Events
This list will continue to be updated as details are finalized.
Holiday Sing-along
Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to join us Friday, December 19, for a holiday sing-along at the Folger. More details coming soon.
An Austen Afternoon
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday during Frost Fair with An Austen Afternoon on Saturday, December 20, featuring Afternoon Tea and a Regency Dance in the Reading Room. Details
Family Workshop: A Shakespearean Feast!
Early Music Seminar: Resplendent Joy
The Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute: Celebrating Jane Austen at 250
Resplendent Joy
Afternoon Tea at the Folger
Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era
On View: Missy Dunaway
