The 5 Most Popular Department 56 Villages
And how to decide which one is best for you
It might not feel Christmas outside, but it’s never a bad time to talk about nostalgic traditions and cozy memories. I’m a firm believer in imagining cooler weather anytime it’s warmer than 70° so now’s the perfect time to crank the air conditioning, make a cup of hot tea, grab a blanket and discuss some snow-covered villages. Let’s walk through 5 of Department 56’s classic villages (all of which you can find on our site!) No matter your holiday traditions, Department 56 has a village to help you celebrate.
The 5 Most Popular Department 56 Villages
And how to decide which one is best for you
It might not feel Christmas outside, but it’s never a bad time to talk about nostalgic traditions and cozy memories. I’m a firm believer in imagining cooler weather anytime it’s warmer than 70° so now’s the perfect time to crank the air conditioning, make a cup of hot tea, grab a blanket and discuss some snow-covered villages. Let’s walk through 5 of Department 56’s classic villages (all of which you can find on our site!) No matter your holiday traditions, Department 56 has a village to help you celebrate.
Cobblestone Antique Shop
Tree Lot
The Original Snow Village is what started the magic nearly 50 years ago. It’s a true classic and evokes all the warm feelings the traditional American Christmas can bring. First introduced in 1976, the first iteration included 6 buildings. If you’re looking for pieces now, you’ll find dozens of options to include in your unique village set up. Often known as Main St. USA, the Original Snow Village has a combination of classic homes and traditional downtown shops as well as popular stops such as McDonalds and Starbucks. Every building is intricately detailed, modeled after traditional American architecture to evoke the warm and cozy feelings of small-town America during the cozy winter months.
One my favorite things about the figurines and accessories of Main St. USA is that there is a piece for every occasion. This means you’ll find a Snow village piece to commemorate all of life’s biggest milestones. From buying your first home, to celebrating your first Christmas, the Snow Village has it all! To make your village as authentic as possible, the Original Snow Village also includes vehicles and accessories so nothing is missing from your miniature town.
Cobblestone Antique Shop
The Original Snow Village is what started the magic nearly 50 years ago. It’s a true classic and evokes all the warm feelings the traditional American Christmas can bring. First introduced in 1976, the first iteration included 6 buildings. If you’re looking for pieces now, you’ll find dozens of options to include in your unique village set up. Often known as Main St. USA, the Original Snow Village has a combination of classic homes and traditional downtown shops as well as popular stops such as McDonalds and Starbucks. Every building is intricately detailed, modeled after traditional American architecture to evoke the warm and cozy feelings of small-town America during the cozy winter months.
One my favorite things about the figurines and accessories of Main St. USA is that there is a piece for every occasion. This means you’ll find a Snow village piece to commemorate all of life’s biggest milestones. From buying your first home, to celebrating your first Christmas, the Snow Village has it all! To make your village as authentic as possible, the Original Snow Village also includes vehicles and accessories so nothing is missing from your miniature town.
Tree Lot
Inspired by the works of Charles Dickens and Victorian-era England, this Village is perfect for collectors who dream of bygone eras. Do your holiday traditions include a read aloud of A Christmas Carol? Then this is the village for you!
In 1984, Department 56 came up with the idea of Heritage Collections to celebrate different eras in history. They introduced this collection with the Dickens Village. While the Heritage Collection has included many historical villages over the years, the Dickens Village remains a favorite, and for good reason. Nothing evokes the true meaning of the holidays quite like a Dickens tale.
If you opt to collect this Department 56 village, you’ll build a town based on the shops, homes, pubs and other buildings of the Victorian Era. For those who love literature the inclusion of locations from Dickens’ novels, like Scrooge’s Flat, add to the nostalgia of building your Dickens village town. With your buildings in place, complete the scene with a horse drawn carriages and well-dressed villagers ready to act out Dickens’ classic tales.
The Flat of Ebenezer Scrooge
The Bird Seller - Set of 3
The Flat of Ebenezer Scrooge
Inspired by the works of Charles Dickens and Victorian-era England, this Village is perfect for collectors who dream of bygone eras. Do your holiday traditions include a read aloud of A Christmas Carol? Then this is the village for you!
In 1984, Department 56 came up with the idea of Heritage Collections to celebrate different eras in history. They introduced this collection with the Dickens Village. While the Heritage Collection has included many historical villages over the years, the Dickens Village remains a favorite, and for good reason. Nothing evokes the true meaning of the holidays quite like a Dickens tale.
If you opt to collect this Department 56 village, you’ll build a town based on the shops, homes, pubs and other buildings of the Victorian Era. For those who love literature the inclusion of locations from Dickens’ novels, like Scrooge’s Flat, add to the nostalgia of building your Dickens village town. With your buildings in place, complete the scene with a horse drawn carriages and well-dressed villagers ready to act out Dickens’ classic tales.
The Bird Seller - Set of 3
The Capitol
While the original inspiration for Department 56 was the beauty of a simple small-town Christmas, they quickly recognized that a bustling city at Christmastime was just as beautiful in its own way. For city dwellers and city lovers, the Christmas in the City collection was introduced in 1987 and continues to capture the unique wonder of snow-covered skyscrapers, department stores, theaters, and other holiday bustle in the big city.
The Capitol
While the original inspiration for Department 56 was the beauty of a simple small-town Christmas, they quickly recognized that a bustling city at Christmastime was just as beautiful in its own way. For city dwellers and city lovers, the Christmas in the City collection was introduced in 1987 and continues to capture the unique wonder of snow-covered skyscrapers, department stores, theaters, and other holiday bustle in the big city.
Designed to be just as nostalgic as every other Department 56 collection, Christmas in the City captures early 20th century city life and mixes easily recognizable buildings like the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, with other buildings that could be anyone’s home, apartment or shop. Your Christmas in the City collection can be accented with taxis, shoppers, street vendors, park benches and countless other small touches that really bring to life the vibrancy of a City Christmas.
Whether you’re a city resident yourself or just find it to be beautiful, the Christmas in the City collection is a beautiful way to celebrate the architecture and energy of early 20th Century city life.
Designed to be just as nostalgic as every other Department 56 collection, Christmas in the City captures early 20th century city life and mixes easily recognizable buildings like the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, with other buildings that could be anyone’s home, apartment or shop. Your Christmas in the City collection can be accented with taxis, shoppers, street vendors, park benches and countless other small touches that really bring to life the vibrancy of a City Christmas.
Whether you’re a city resident yourself or just find it to be beautiful, the Christmas in the City collection is a beautiful way to celebrate the architecture and energy of early 20th Century city life.
The Capitol
While the original inspiration for Department 56 was the beauty of a simple small-town Christmas, they quickly recognized that a bustling city at Christmastime was just as beautiful in its own way. For city dwellers and city lovers, the Christmas in the City collection was introduced in 1987 and continues to capture the unique wonder of snow-covered skyscrapers, department stores, theaters, and other holiday bustle in the big city.
The Capitol
While the original inspiration for Department 56 was the beauty of a simple small-town Christmas, they quickly recognized that a bustling city at Christmastime was just as beautiful in its own way. For city dwellers and city lovers, the Christmas in the City collection was introduced in 1987 and continues to capture the unique wonder of snow-covered skyscrapers, department stores, theaters, and other holiday bustle in the big city.
Designed to be just as nostalgic as every other Department 56 collection, Christmas in the City captures early 20th century city life and mixes easily recognizable buildings like the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, with other buildings that could be anyone’s home, apartment or shop. Your Christmas in the City collection can be accented with taxis, shoppers, street vendors, park benches and countless other small touches that really bring to life the vibrancy of a City Christmas.
Whether you’re a city resident yourself or just find it to be beautiful, the Christmas in the City collection is a beautiful way to celebrate the architecture and energy of early 20th Century city life.
Designed to be just as nostalgic as every other Department 56 collection, Christmas in the City captures early 20th century city life and mixes easily recognizable buildings like the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, with other buildings that could be anyone’s home, apartment or shop. Your Christmas in the City collection can be accented with taxis, shoppers, street vendors, park benches and countless other small touches that really bring to life the vibrancy of a City Christmas.
Whether you’re a city resident yourself or just find it to be beautiful, the Christmas in the City collection is a beautiful way to celebrate the architecture and energy of early 20th Century city life.
Perhaps no holiday tradition is celebrated as widely as the tradition of Santa Claus. Versions of Father Christmas abound in many cultures, and in 1990, Department 56 created the perfect village to capture that tradition. Mixing the nostalgia of small town Christmas with the whimsy of legend, the North Pole is the perfect playful scene for collectors celebrating with children or who are children at heart.
As you build your North Pole town, you can include Santa’s workshop, cottages for Santa’s elves and reindeer stables. These buildings are a bit more fanciful and off-kilter than other Department 56 villages, with sloped roofs, pink doors, and candy cane street signs. In one piece, Santa sits on an ice throne. You can also add tea and cocoa shops shaped like tea pots, a quilt shop with a quilt for a roof and many other unique designs that could only exist in a magical place like the North Pole. Of course, the elves themselves are available to line your village streets, and Santa shows up more than one place in town.
If you’re looking for whimsy in your Christmas celebrations, the North Pole village is the perfect way to capture the imagination and wonder of the Christmas season.
Elfin Snow Cone Works
I'll Need More Toys - Set of 2
Elfin Snow Cone Works
Perhaps no holiday tradition is celebrated as widely as the tradition of Santa Claus. Versions of Father Christmas abound in many cultures, and in 1990, Department 56 created the perfect village to capture that tradition. Mixing the nostalgia of small town Christmas with the whimsy of legend, the North Pole is the perfect playful scene for collectors celebrating with children or who are children at heart.
As you build your North Pole town, you can include Santa’s workshop, cottages for Santa’s elves and reindeer stables. These buildings are a bit more fanciful and off-kilter than other Department 56 villages, with sloped roofs, pink doors, and candy cane street signs. In one piece, Santa sits on an ice throne. You can also add tea and cocoa shops shaped like tea pots, a quilt shop with a quilt for a roof and many other unique designs that could only exist in a magical place like the North Pole. Of course, the elves themselves are available to line your village streets, and Santa shows up more than one place in town.
If you’re looking for whimsy in your Christmas celebrations, the North Pole village is the perfect way to capture the imagination and wonder of the Christmas season.
I'll Need More Toys - Set of 2
Josef Engel Farmhouse
While not available directly from Department 56 anymore, and a bit difficult to find generally, the Alpine Village is my personal favorite. We have a few pieces in the shop and I just adore the Josef Engel farmhouse. This village was introduced in 1986 and designed to emulate life in a rural European village. Reminiscent of festive scenes from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, this village is charming and rustic, inspiring dreams of a quiet Christmas in the mountains.
If you’re ready to build your rural European village, a few notable pieces you should include are the stunning alpine village church, the previously mentioned farmhouse and a house inspired by Heidi’s Grandfather’s house. Add some character to your village by including charming villagers, skiers, Alpine native animals and snow covered trees, lamps and benches. If you’re wishing for a European ski trip this winter, but can’t quite make it there, you can live out that dream with this rustic village.
Josef Engel Farmhouse
While not available directly from Department 56 anymore, and a bit difficult to find generally, the Alpine Village is my personal favorite. We have a few pieces in the shop and I just adore the Josef Engel farmhouse. This village was introduced in 1986 and designed to emulate life in a rural European village. Reminiscent of festive scenes from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, this village is charming and rustic, inspiring dreams of a quiet Christmas in the mountains.
If you’re ready to build your rural European village, a few notable pieces you should include are the stunning alpine village church, the previously mentioned farmhouse and a house inspired by Heidi’s Grandfather’s house. Add some character to your village by including charming villagers, skiers, Alpine native animals and snow covered trees, lamps and benches. If you’re wishing for a European ski trip this winter, but can’t quite make it there, you can live out that dream with this rustic village.
No matter your favorite way to celebrate the holidays, Department 56 has a village for you. While each village has unique markers to identify it as belonging to one era or another, you could even mix and match villages for a truly unique collection. No two collectors display their villages in the same way, and that’s part of what keeps the magic of Department 56 alive.
No matter your favorite way to celebrate the holidays, Department 56 has a village for you. While each village has unique markers to identify it as belonging to one era or another, you could even mix and match villages for a truly unique collection. No two collectors display their villages in the same way, and that’s part of what keeps the magic of Department 56 alive.