Thursday, December 12, 2024
9:30 am–1:00 pm
$8 per person for students/adults/seniors
Free for children 4 and under
$2 per person for PA ACCESS/Museums for All cardholders
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.
Join us for our annual Christmas Homeschool Day at Glencairn Museum! Enjoy short, guided tours that bring holiday traditions to life, explore the World Nativities exhibition on the first floor of the Museum with an exciting seek and find activity, and get creative with fun arts and craft projects. This event is perfect for all ages and offers a wonderful way to celebrate the season together. Come and make lasting memories with your family in the castle!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
7:30–9:15 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Free for Basic, Gold, and Patron Museum members
The Glencairn Christmas Sing is sold out, and our waitlist has reached capacity. If you are already on the waitlist, please know that we will reach out to you directly if a spot becomes available.
For more than eight decades, the Glencairn Christmas Sing Concert has been a cherished holiday tradition, bringing together families and friends to celebrate the season with music and joy. Whether you’re a long-time attendee or joining us for the first time, this year’s concert promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with festive spirit.
The program features performances by the “Glencairn Horns” quintet, comprised of current and former members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, alongside internationally acclaimed musicians such as violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn and pianist Jungeun Kim. Enjoy the rich, seasonal songs performed by the solo-voice ensemble Les Canards Chantants, and be uplifted by the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools Concert Choir.
In addition to these inspiring performances, the concert will include readings from the Christmas story, opportunities for audience caroling, and spirited renditions of beloved holiday music that capture the hope and joy of the season.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Session 1: 10:00–11:30 am
Session 2: 1:30–3:00 pm
$15 per person (students/adults/seniors)
10% Discount for Basic, Gold, and Patron Museum membership levels
$2 admission for up to 4 people ACCESS Philly/Museums for All cardholders
Ages 5 and up. No experience necessary.
Space is limited; advanced ticket purchase required.
Join us for a delightful family-friendly felting workshop where creativity meets Christmas cheer! Under the guidance of skilled felting instructor, Eva Mergen, participants will create beautiful Nativity-themed felted art pieces. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Perfect for all ages, this workshop is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit!
Access to Glencairn’s first floor World Nativities exhibition and seek & find interactive are included in the $15 fee.
Saturday, November 30, 2024
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Free for all Museum membership levels
TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT HAVE SOLD OUT.
Join us at Glencairn Museum as we launch the holiday season with the opening of the World Nativities exhibition. This exclusive event for Museum members provides a first look at the exhibition, showcasing dozens of intricately crafted, three-dimensional Nativity scenes from around the globe, all set against the stunning backdrop of Glencairn Museum’s beautifully decorated first floor.
Enjoy catered light refreshments and beverages as you hear a presentation by select artists behind this year’s Nativities. After the formal program, the talented artists will be on hand for an informal meet-and-greet, sharing insights into their creative processes and how their work reflects their spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and regional influences. As a special treat, attendees will also be among the first to preview highlights from our Christmas in the Castle tour.
Sunday, November 10
10:00 am– 3:00 pm
Attendee age limit: 16+
$65 per person (with morning refreshments and lunch included)
$45 per person (with only morning refreshments included)
10% discount for Glencairn Museum members
Registration is required by Tuesday, November 5
Join our unique dual-site workshop at Ryerss Museum and Library and Glencairn Museum! Discover the power of objects as we explore ancient artifacts and works of art and learn their fascinating stories with expert guides. Connect with others, make new friends over lunch, and engage in a hands-on art-making activity and lively discussions to deepen your understanding of power and spirituality across cultures. Leave enriched with newfound knowledge and a sense of connection to the divine woven throughout human history.
Note: Your workshop ticket includes self-guided access to the Ryerss Museum and Library galleries and Glencairn Museum’s first floor including the temporary exhibition Cardboard Chronicles: The Biblical Art of Rudolph Bostic.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
4:00–6:30 pm
No registration is required.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to our free, annual, family-friendly Halloween event, inspired by the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling!
On Thursday, October 31 from 4:00–6:30 pm wear your Halloween costume and join us for an afternoon of pre-trick-or-treating fun including a mythical scavenger hunt, enchanting prizes, spooky decorations, and more!
Sunday, September 29
3:00 pm (doors open at 2:30)
$25 per person
Free for Patron and Gold Glencairn Museum members
Free for Supporting/Silver Patron Cairnwood Estate members
$20 Basic Glencairn Museum members
$2 ACCESS Philly Cardholders
Advanced ticket purchase is required by 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 26
Reserved seating for Patron members only
Renowned American violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn and acclaimed pianist Derek Wieland are set to return to Glencairn Museum’s stage for an exceptional duo recital this September. Their previous performance in March 2024, which was their first on-stage collaboration since meeting at the Luzerne Music Center in 1989, captivated the sold-out audience.
At Luzerne, Pitcairn and Wieland first joined forces to learn a Brahms Sonata, and they were among several rising stars featured in their New York debuts at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall with the New York String Orchestra in 2000.
For their upcoming concert at Glencairn Museum, Pitcairn and Wieland will once again perform Brahms, specifically the Sonata No. 1 in G major, alongside Mozart’s Sonata No. 22 in A Major, K. 305.
Spend a day with Glencairn Museum members, staff, and friends exploring one of New York City’s finest museums, The Met Fifth Avenue.
In the morning, begin with an exclusive private tour guided by a curator from the Greek and Roman Department at The Met Fifth Avenue. The Met’s collection of Greek and Roman art includes over thirty thousand works from the Neolithic period (c. 4500 BCE) to the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in A.D. 312, making it one of the most extensive in North America.
Enjoy lunch on your own at one of The Met’s on-site restaurants or bring your meal. Then, spend the afternoon exploring the museum at your own pace until it’s time to board the bus back to Bryn Athyn.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience The Met with Glencairn Museum!
There are four one-week sessions to choose from.
Session 1 | Ages 8–10 | Monday, June 17–Friday, June 21 | 8:30 am–1:00 pm
Session 2 | Ages 11–13 | Monday, June 24–Friday, June 28 | 8:30 am–1:00 pm
Session 3 | Ages 8–10 | Monday, July 8–Friday, July 12 | 8:30 am–1:00 pm
Session 4 | Ages 11–13 | Monday, July 15–Friday, July 19 | 8:30 am–1:00 pm
$150 per camper per session
Financial assistance is available by request, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration will open on Monday, February 19, 2024.
Get ready for the best week of summer at Glencairn Museum’s Summer Camp! Join us at the castle for a week of fun, exploration, curiosity, discovery, friendship, and learning. Each week includes artmaking, outdoor adventures, baking and cooking delicious treats, time-traveling through history, and so much more. Led by experienced and passionate instructors and set in a unique museum, Glencairn’s Summer Camp is designed to spark creativity, build new connections, and invite campers to see art and culture in a new way!
Note: To inquire about financial assistance, please reach out to Amy Glenn, Educational Programs Manager, 267.502.2962, prior to registering your camper.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
8:00–10:00 pm
Admission is free. Additional activities for a fee.
The Bryn Athyn Historic District will glow a little brighter!
Glencairn Museum
FREE admission to the first floor includes access to the exhibition, Cardboard Chronicles: The Biblical Art of Rudolph Bostic, the orientation video, and a cell phone audio tour.
Rides to the Tower: $5/person.
Cairnwood Estate
FREE admission to the Garden House welcome center and orientation video.
Self-guided house tours supported by docents: $5/person.
Wine & beer available for purchase on the South Terrace.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral
FREE admission
Tour guides available
Classical music
Free parking throughout the Bryn Athyn Historic District.
Please note that given the age and construction of the buildings, some areas are not fully accessible.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Pets are not permitted.
Friday, May 10, 2024
7:00–9:00 pm
$20 Adults
$15 Basic Glencairn Museum members/Seniors
$10 Students | Ages13-17
Free:
- Glencairn Museum Patron and Gold members
- Cairnwood Estate Supporting/Silver Patron members
- Children | Ages 12 and under
Reservations are required by Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Glencairn is excited to announce the return of violinist Blanca Cecilia González and pianist Jesse Elder. Previously known as 1IN2, the duo has embarked on a new project called Musiquita. A collaborative effort that started shortly after Blanca and Jesse had their second child, they are not only musical partners but life partners as well. Musiquita! is a delightful exploration of Spanish and English music and songs, blending not just music, but also language and culture, to create a joyful celebration suitable for all ages.
Blanca and Jesse have drawn inspiration from various musical sources, combining elements of classical music with jazz, Latin rhythms, original compositions, and diverse popular music styles, as well as incorporating free improvisation. Their live performances are a continuous work in progress, evolving as they make new discoveries.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
1:00–5:00 pm
$12 adults
$10 Seniors and students
Free for all Museum membership levels and children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options.
Experience religious art in the making: witness demonstrators using metal, glass, sand, and ink to create beautiful expressions of faith. Enjoy self-guided time in the galleries, see the temporary exhibition, Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
Wednesday, April 24–Friday, April 26, 2024
Included with Sacred Arts Festival admission on April 28
1:00–4:00 pm
Access times can be pre-booked online at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm
$5 per person suggested donation
Witness the step-by-step creation of a traditional Sand Mandala, an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism. Mandalas are drawings in sand of the world in its divine form; they represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into an enlightened mind. Watch as the Venerable Losang Samten (the first Buddhist given permission by the Dalai Lama to make Mandalas in the West) completes and then ritualistically dismantles a Mandala during our Sacred Arts Festival.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
9:30 am–12:30 pm
$6 adults/seniors/students
$2 ACCESS Philly/Museums 4 All cardholders
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Spring Homeschool Day at Glencairn is back, and we couldn’t be more excited! Join us for a morning full of activities and crafts in our brand-new Studio spaces, explore the Museum’s galleries to discover worlds of the past, and take a stroll through our beautiful gardens to learn about spring’s significance in various cultures. Registration is required and limited spots are available, so grab your tickets now for this unique experience in the castle!
Saturday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024
12:00–3:00 pm
$300 per person, includes materials fee of $100 per person
10% discount for members
Registration required by Wednesday, April 3, 2024
We are back for round two of stained-glass fabrication! Led by instructor Elizabeth DaCrema, this four-week intensive workshop builds on the fundamentals of stained-glass fabrication and invites students to bring their own ideas and designs to life. This workshop is designed for returning students or students with prior stained-glass fabrication experience. Students will be asked to create and share a design cartoon ahead of time and have a short discussion prior to the first class to evaluate their ideas with the instructor.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
3:00 pm–5:00 pm (doors open at 2:30)
TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT HAVE SOLD OUT.
$25 per ticket
Free for Patron and Gold Glencairn Museum members
Free for Supporting/Silver Patron Cairnwood Estate members
$20 Basic Level Glencairn Museum members
$2 ACCESS Philly Cardholders
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Reserved seating for Patron members only
Registration is required by Thursday, March 21, 2024
American violin soloist Elizabeth Pitcairn returns to Glencairn’s stunning Great and Upper Halls, the former home of her great uncle and aunt, Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn. Elizabeth will perform in partnership with the legendary 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius, which was gifted to her by her grandfather (Raymond’s younger brother, Theo) in her youth.
Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, 2024
Weekend Two:
Session 4: Saturday, March 23 | SOLD OUT | 9:00 am–12:00 pm (beginner chicken egg)
Session 5: Saturday, March 23 | SOLD OUT | 1:00–4:00 pm (beginner chicken egg)
Session 6: Sunday, March 24 | 1:00–4:00 pm (advanced goose egg)
$45 per person
10% Discount for Patron, Gold, and Basic Museum membership levels
Attendee age limit: 16+
Our incredibly popular Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Painting workshops are back! Join us for a morning or afternoon of artistic exploration as our skilled instructor, Wendy Hallstrom, leads you through the historic and intricate process of creating beautiful eggs in the Ukrainian Easter tradition. Access to the first floor of the Museum, including the exhibition, Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal, and an interactive activity is included in the workshop admission fee. Both beginner (chicken egg) and advanced (goose egg) classes are available, so don’t wait to book your spot!
Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, 2024
Weekend One:
Session 1: Saturday, March 16 | 9:00 am–12:00 pm (beginner chicken egg)
Session 2: Saturday, March 16 | 1:00–4:00 pm (beginner chicken egg)
Session 3: Sunday, March 17 | 1:00–4:00 pm (beginner chicken egg)
$45 per person
10% Discount for Patron, Gold, and Basic Museum membership levels
Attendee age limit: 16+
Our incredibly popular Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Painting workshops are back! Join us for a morning or afternoon of artistic exploration as our skilled instructor, Wendy Hallstrom, leads you through the historic and intricate process of creating beautiful eggs in the Ukrainian Easter tradition. Access to the first floor of the Museum, including the exhibition, Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal, and an interactive activity is included in the workshop admission fee. Both beginner (chicken egg) and advanced (goose egg) classes are available, so don’t wait to book your spot!
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Session 1: 10:00–11:30 am
Session 2: 1:30–3:00 pm
$15 per person
10% Discount for Patron, Gold, and Basic Museum membership levels
This workshop is geared towards children ages 5 and older and their grownups.
Join us for this family-friendly experience to discover the art of egg scratching and decoration! Tap into your creativity as you learn to carefully etch intricate designs onto eggshells, creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces. With expert guidance and all the materials provided, this workshop provides a fun experience to spend time together for families of all ages. With the option of attending either a morning or afternoon session, this promises to be a fantastic opportunity to create some lasting family memories!
Access to Glencairn’s first floor, the Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal exhibition, and an interactive activity are included in the $15 fee.
Thursday, March 7, 2024
5:00–8:00 pm
Free Admission | Tickets Required
Calling all educators! We are excited to invite you to an exclusive open house event at Glencairn Museum. Join us for a fun and relaxing evening that will include drinks and snacks, the opportunity to explore the Museum and learn about what is included in our educational programs, a chance to meet other educators and Glencairn staff, and pick up some free resources for you and your students.
As this is an open-house-style event, attendees are welcome to arrive from 5:00 pm onwards. We will be gathering for a short program in the Upper Hall at 6:30 pm. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired at an event designed especially for you!
Available Saturday, March 2–Saturday, May 5, 2024
Weekends at 1:30 pm and weekdays by appointment
$12 Adults
$10 Seniors/Students
Free for all Glencairn Museum and Cairnwood Estate membership levels/Children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options.
This one-hour guided tour features the Easter story illustrated through medieval works of art in stained glass, sculpture, and painting. The biblical narrative involves tremendous sadness, followed by great joy; key episodes highlighted on this tour include the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of Christ into heaven. Visitors also learn how Easter was celebrated at Glencairn by the Pitcairn family. Access to the exhibition, Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal, is included with your tour admission.
March 2–May 31, 2024
Available weekends 1:00–4:30 pm
Access times can be pre-booked online at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm
$5.00 per person, included with a guided tour/event attendance
During your visit, explore the mosaic Bird Room, Upper Hall, Great Hall, Great Hall balcony, and Craftsmanship at Glencairn exhibit. A 15-minute video on the history of Bryn Athyn, the Pitcairn family, and Glencairn Museum is available, along with family activities featuring prizes for children. First-floor access also includes self-guided touring of the current exhibition (Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal, March 2–May 5 and Cardboard Chronicles: The Biblical Art of Rudolph Bostic, beginning May 18).
Saturday, March 2, 2024
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels
Free for all Cairnwood Estate membership levels
Free for all Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center membership levels
Registration is required by Friday, March 1
Join us for a captivating opening event for the exhibition, Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal. The exhibition is co-curated by Patrick J. Donmoyer, Director of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University and Ed Gyllenhaal, Curator of Glencairn Museum. This exhibition takes you on a journey into the age-old traditions of European Easter Eggs and their vibrant presence in Pennsylvania today.
Donmoyer will share the behind-the-scenes story of co-curating this remarkable exhibition and shed light on the fascinating objects on exhibit. A Q&A session will follow his presentation. As a part of this exclusive experience, attendees will have the chance to engage with Museum staff over coffee, tea, and light refreshments.
After the presentation, Donmoyer will be available to members in the Upper Hall exhibition space. Museum interpreters will be on hand to share works of art depicting the Easter story as found in Glencairn’s Chapel, Medieval gallery, Great Hall, and Great Hall balcony.
Saturday and Sunday, February 3 and 4, 2024
Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11, 2024
Saturday and Sunday, February 17 and 18, 2024
1:00–4:30 pm
Access times can be pre-booked online at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm
$5 per person suggested donation
On February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18, Glencairn Museum will be open for first floor visitors between 1:00–4:30 pm.
During your visit, explore the mosaic Bird Room, Upper Hall, Great Hall, Great Hall balcony, and Craftsmanship at Glencairn exhibit. A 15-minute video on the history of Bryn Athyn, the Pitcairn family, and Glencairn Museum is available, along with family activities featuring prizes for children.
As a special, limited-time offer during the month of February, take a ride on our historic elevator to the tower observation room for a panoramic view. Bring your camera to capture the 360-degree winter landscape and, on clear days, the Philadelphia skyline. Elevator rides are $5 per person and can be purchased at the Museum upon arrival.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
8:00–9:30 pm (Doors open at 7:15 pm)
Free for Patron, Gold, and Basic members
An email with the link to register for “The Sing” has been sent out to all active Glencairn Museum members. If you are an active member and did not receive an email, please check your junk folder for an email from Glencairn Museum, or contact Peter Childs, Membership Coordinator, at 267.502.2970 or peter.childs@glencairnmuseum.org to have the link re-sent.
Tickets are extremely limited and only available online through the link provided to members. You will not see tickets for the Glencairn Sing available through the ticketing platform on our website.
To become a member, visit our Membership page, and you will receive the link in your confirmation email.
This year, the Glencairn Christmas Sing Concert, a holiday tradition for over 80 years, returns as an in-person event. We are thrilled to be able to host “The Sing” live for Glencairn Museum members in the Great and Upper Halls, the perfect setting for this richly festive performance.
The program includes all the traditional favorites: the “Glencairn Horns,” a quintet comprised of current and former members of the Philadelphia Orchestra; instrumentals by other world-renowned musicians; rich vocal pieces; powerful readings from the Christmas story; audience caroling; and musicians and vocalists collaborating on spirited renditions of Christmas music beloved by audiences for generations.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
1:00–4:00 pm
$45 per person
10% discount for members
Ages 18 and up. No experience necessary. Space is limited; advanced ticket purchase required.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS SOLD OUT. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, CLICK HERE. We will contact you if a spot becomes available.
Embark on a magical Christmas journey led by artists Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan. Create your own Christmas Gnome inspired by Scandinavian folklore, and discover the Nordic mythology surrounding these endearing creatures. This workshop was inspired by a 1923 Swedish tomtelandskap (tomtar scene) gifted to the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family.
Access to the World Nativities exhibition is included in the workshop fee.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
9:30 am–12:30 pm
$8 per person for students/adults/seniors
Free for children 4 and under
$2 per person for PA ACCESS/Museums for All cardholders
Tickets will not be available on the day of the event.
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT. The Nativity Seek and Find will be available all season long by visiting our World Nativities exhibition or taking a guided Christmas in the Castle tour.
Step into a winter wonderland at Glencairn Museum’s enchanting Christmas Homeschool Day, where holiday cheer and educational fun come together for an unforgettable experience! Discover the fascinating history and customs of Christmas from around the world in our World Nativities exhibition, spend time creating holiday crafts, and wander the castle to explore music, art, and stories. Get ready to embark on a festive journey for the whole family that will leave you filled with the joy of the season!
Saturday, November 25, 2023
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Free for all level Museum members
Registration is required by 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Join other Glencairn Museum members and staff as we celebrate our first in-person, on-site event of 2023 with a World Nativities exhibition preview.
Glencairn Museum members will have exclusive access to this year’s World Nativities exhibition, which presents dozens of exquisitely crafted three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the globe and displayed throughout our expansive first floor, including Glencairn’s stunning Great and Upper Halls, festively decorated for the season.
A.J. DiAntonio of Navidad Nativities in Bucks County will deliver a presentation on the process of creating The Grand Cartapesta Presepe, a unique Nativity scene consisting of over 150 12-inch papier-mâché and plaster composition (cartapesta) figures (1940s–1960s) from his private collection. Exhibited at Glencairn for the first time, this collection of Italian Nativity figures will be displayed in the Upper Hall on a specially designed platform (10’x10’) built by DiAntonio and positioned beneath a Christmas tree decorated with the Museum’s collection of vintage and antique ornaments.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the curators of the World Nativities exhibition and other Glencairn staff while enjoying coffee, tea, and a continental breakfast. Perhaps jolly ol’ Saint Nick will also stop by the event to say hello to Glencairn members!
Friday, November 24, 2023–Sunday, January 7, 2024
Weekdays at 1:00 and 2:00 pm
Weekends at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm
$15 Adults
$12 Seniors and Students
Free for members and children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options.
Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins are accepted only if space is available. Reservations are required for large groups.
For forty years (1940s to 1970s), the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family celebrated Christmas at Glencairn with a concert, a large three-part Nativity scene, a decorated tree that reached beyond the second-floor balcony, and a Christmas day meal. This one-hour guided tour visits five different floors, including the tower and main bedroom suite. Your guide will take you on a journey back through time to explore how the Pitcairn family celebrated Christmas in their 20th-century castle.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
2:00–5:00 pm
Free
No registration required
We’re heading outdoors this year for our free, annual, family-friendly Halloween event, inspired by the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling!
Put on your costume and join us for an afternoon of myth and magic including prizes, special guests, spooky decorations, and more! (Weather dependent)
Can’t make it on the day? The Scavenger Hunt will be available for self-guided access October 23–31, through our digital tour platform. Come to the castle between 9:00 am–5:00 pm and scan the QR code on the Myth and Magic sign at the Main Entrance to begin your magical journey.
