The Gingerbread City Returns to Space House for Its 10th Christmas
A Tenth Birthday Gift for Festive Londoners
If you have lived in west London for any length of time, you will know the pull of a proper winter outing. This year the Gingerbread City has reached a milestone worth shouting about. The Museum of Architecture’s much-loved display turns ten, and it is opening on Saturday 28 November 2026 in a brand-new home at Space House, 1 Kemble Street, tucked just off the busy streets near Covent Garden. The venue is a short walk from the Strand and Holborn, which makes it an easy addition to a Christmas shopping trip for anyone heading into the centre. Those of us who travel in from Whitton and Hounslow often treat the journey as part of the day out. Richmond station is the easiest starting point for many, with regular South Western Railway services running into Waterloo, followed by a short Tube or bus hop north. Plan for a little extra time at weekends, when the central streets fill quickly. The display itself runs until Sunday 3 January 2027 and is closed on Christmas Day. For a city that can feel rushed in December, a slow wander around a miniature metropolis made of sponge and icing is a welcome pause. It matters because it brings together the capital’s architecture community and ordinary families in one room, something that rarely happens outside a planning meeting.
Architects, Sweets and a Very Serious Theme
This year’s theme, Future Forward, asks a question that is hard to ignore while we watch our own streets change: how can our buildings and cities respond to climate change and sustainability over the next decade? The answers arrive in gingerbread. Leading practices including Foster + Partners, Hopkins Architects, BDP and Buro Happold have each contributed designs, from tech-driven cities to speculative ideas about building on Mars. The architects are not only showing off their craft. They are also sharing practical thinking with visitors who may never have considered the work behind a new housing block or transport hub. For local businesses, the event is a reminder of how much creative and technical talent sits across the capital, and how often it draws on suppliers in our own boroughs. A Hounslow bookkeeping firm, for example, has been looking at family-friendly team outings this winter, and a visit like this suits small companies that want to reward staff without a costly night out. Event budgets are a practical concern for any group, so it is worth tracking ticket costs, travel and workshop extras before you book. Keeping receipts and a simple shared spreadsheet makes it far easier to see whether a seasonal outing fits the year’s finances.
What Locals Should Know Before Going
For residents, the most useful advice is to book ahead. Cookie decorating is available as a bookable session and as a drop-in option on weekdays, so if you want a guaranteed slot, check thegingerbreadcity.com before you set off. The workshop space is also worth planning around, since it lets you build your own gingerbread cityscape to take home. Younger children tend to love the decorating sessions, while older visitors often linger over the architectural models and the detail in the sustainability displays. Weekday mornings are generally calmer than Saturday afternoons, and the run-up to Christmas always brings bigger crowds, so an early start pays off. Those who cannot make it into central London can still follow the event’s progress online and see which local schools or community groups take part in related activities. Keep an eye on the official website for updates to opening hours and any changes to bookings closer to the date. The display will be open until 3 January, giving families plenty of time to fit in a visit between school holidays and the New Year. Whether you go with children, friends or colleagues, it is a rare chance to see the future of our cities made from something you can actually eat, and a good reason to get out of the house this winter.
Source: The Epic Gingerbread City Is Back & Better Than Ever
