Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is kicking off the holiday season with a spectacular new attraction—an intricate gingerbread village crafted by the renowned Bredenbeck’s Bakery of Philadelphia.
The fragrant, festive display opens to the public on November 22, inviting visitors to experience a holiday tradition that blends art, craftsmanship, and nostalgia at Yuletide at Winterthur.
The gingerbread exhibit is so large and elaborate that it had to be transported by U-Haul into Winterthur’s library.
(left to right): Jacob Boyd, Dianna Anello, Irvin Boyd
RACHEL M SUGA
At the center of the creation is Diana Anello, Bredenbeck’s head sugar artist, who leads the bakery’s talented team in designing edible works of art made from gingerbread, sugar, and hundreds of hours of meticulous labor.
“There’s a piece of my soul in this,” says Anello.
As a child, she loved playing with Play-Doh, drawing with her mother—who was an artist—and doing diorama projects in school that encouraged her creativity.
“If I can inspire one person [or] one child, the way that I was inspired, then I’ve done something,” Anello says.
Bredenbeck’s Bakery—family-owned and celebrated for its award-winning cakes and desserts—embraces the holiday season as a time for its artists to push creative boundaries.
Anello, known for her craftsmanship, set out this year to surpass her own 2024 Winterthur gingerbread display.
“Every year I try and outdo myself because well… I’m sick like that,” jokes Anello. “To do this train and do it justice deserves an elegance and a level of excellence that I want to meet because we’re here at Winterthur.”
RACHEL M SUGA
Anello says she wants the exhibit to inspire visitors, especially young aspiring artists.
To make this year’s creation even more memorable, she embedded Easter eggs and subtle callbacks to previous gingerbread displays—fun details that devoted fans will recognize.
A storybook is placed at the edge of the table, opening up the story of Winterthur’s grounds in a mystical way, showing Anello’s point of view with a sprinkle of childlike wonder and sugary glitter.
The exhibit also features a custom-built gingerbread town accompanied by a miniature train “winding” through sugar-coated hills, adding a whimsical touch to the intricate scene with lighting and detailed craftsmanship.
The gingerbread Winterthur replica opens November 22, offering guests a multisensory experience—they can admire the artistry and breathe in the warm, sweet scents of the season.
The display will remain open through the holidays, giving families and gingerbread enthusiasts plenty of time to explore the detailed creation.