The Region’s Most Beloved Holiday Tradition Opens Today Alongside 2 Million LED Lights and Dazzling Displays to Make the Season Bright
Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (November 25, 2024) – The scents of gingerbread and frosting are in the air at Turning Stone Resort Casino as Upstate New York’s most award-winning destination unveils its 2024 Gingerbread Village. Along with the return of the region’s most cherished holiday tradition, the resort is decked out in 2 million LED lights, nearly 200 illuminated Christmas trees and other sparkling seasonal displays.
The 2024 Gingerbread Village: A Stroll Through Holiday Classics
The holiday season in Upstate New York couldn’t be complete without a visit to Turning Stone to enjoy its annual Gingerbread Village. These sweet creations have been named among the country’s top gingerbread displays year after year, earning recognition from industry-leading publications that include Forbes Travel Guide and more. The resort’s award-winning pastry team has outdone itself again this year with a display inspired by beloved holiday films and TV specials that have delighted generations, including:
- White Christmas (Church)
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Tudor home)
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Barn)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Farmhouse)
- The Polar Express (Train station)
- Frosty the Snowman (Carousel)
- A Christmas Story (Colonial home)
- Home Alone (Log cabin)
- Elf (Bakery)
Along with these dazzling confections, the village is also home to a train that travels throughout the display.
“There’s nothing like seeing the joy the Gingerbread Village brings to our guests,” said Turning Stone Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Moore. “We know that this is a special tradition for so many families, and this year’s design connects with some of the iconic films that are also part of their annual holiday celebrations for an experience that speaks to every generation.”
To create the 2024 Gingerbread Village, Turning Stone’s pastry team utilized:
- 1,000 lbs of frosting
- 210 lbs of yellow starbursts
- 178 lbs of fondant
- 100 lbs of sugar
- 8 lbs of black licorice
- 1,520 andes candies
- 1,360 hershey kisses
- 1,008 cookies & cream mini candy bars
- 504 red & white ribbon candies
- 360 watermelon airheads
In addition to the Gingerbread Village, Turning Stone has been transformed into a glittering wonderland for the holiday season with 2 million sparkling LED lights. Around every corner guests will find displays that include nearly 200 illuminated Christmas trees, including a massive tree standing 50 feet tall with a six-foot topper and a 32-foot tree inside the Emerald lobby, more than 4,150 ornaments, over 240 feet of garland and a variety of other breathtaking seasonal decor.
The Gingerbread Village is open daily through New Year’s Day and located near the main entrance of the resort by The Commons shopping boutiques.
About Turning Stone Resort Casino
A renowned, award-winning destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino features world-class amenities including five hotels, two luxurious spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor, TS Sports, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge, The Showroom, an intimate concert venue, a 5,000 seat arena, and several nightlife venues. Conveniently located 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33, Turning Stone was named the #1 Best Gaming Resort in New York by Casino Player Magazine and the #1 Best Overall Dining in 2023. Turning Stone has also earned the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award for The Lodge, Wildflowers restaurant, TS Steakhouse, and Skʌ:nʌ́: Spa, and, for more than a decade, the AAA Four Diamond Award for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant.
For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711.
Media Contact:
Joel Barkin, Vice President for Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
315.361.8173
jbarkin@oneida-nation.org
