Once Upon a Gingerbread Village at Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Once upon a time, in a hotel not too far away, there stood a majestic Gingerbread Village…

The fairy tale is set to become reality in the lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Austin when the downtown Austin hotel unveils its annual holiday display on November 21, 2016, revealing several whimsical – and completely edible – scenes from classic children’s stories and nursery rhymes.

The brainchild of Pastry Chef Courtney Capuchino, the 2016 theme and design will draw inspiration from several recognisable tales, with Hansel and Gretel’s candy-laden house, grandma’s quaint cottage in Little Red Riding Hood and Humpty Dumpty’s ill-fated wall just a few of the ten structures planned for the display.

“I grew up reading these stories and having them read to me, so this year’s theme really strikes a nostalgic chord,” says Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Pallagi-Naim.

According to Pallagi-Naim, other themes considered but rejected for various reasons include a North Pole village, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. “Having done our holiday display for so many years, expectations are really high,” she said. “Ultimately we’ve learned the best themes appeal to both adults and children and evoke a personal connection, making us confident the 2016 Gingerbread Village will be a popular one."

Adding to the popularity of the display is the fact that all proceeds from the sale of the houses and accessories benefit the Seton Shivers Cancer Center, an Austin non-profit dedicated to cancer research and treatment. In exchange for a donation, businesses and individual sponsors are able to display their name and a short message of their choice in front of their house throughout the holiday season.

Since 2005, fundraising efforts surrounding the annual Gingerbread Village have raised more than USD 65,000 for Seton, with each year’s total adding to the nearly USD 1.4 million Four Seasons Hotel Austin has donated to the organisation since opening in 1986.

Locals and visitors interested in seeing the 2016 Gingerbread Village will be able to view the festive display 24 hours per day from November 21 through December 25, 2016. For those who’d like a more intimate look, the Hotel will also host two Holiday Open Houses on November 28 and 29, 2016, featuring hot apple cider, cookies, photos with Santa and the opportunity to meet the talented pastry chefs behind the village. Both events take place in the Lobby from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and are complimentary for locals and visitors.

In addition to the Gingerbread Village and Open Houses, Four Seasons Hotel Austin plays host to a variety of annual holiday dining and special events, ranging from expansive buffet brunches on Thanksgiving and Christmas to Teddy Bear Teas in the Lobby Lounge, a long-standing tradition that sells out each year.

With so many festive sights to see and activities around town, it’s all but guaranteed visitors – and locals – will live happily ever after this winter in Austin. For more details about the Hotel’s holiday events or things to do in Austin, contact the Concierge department at 512 685 8130.