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It Takes a Village: Christmas in Community

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9:00 AM to 4:00 PM ET In Person Roesch Library Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery, Marian Library Gallery and Crèche Museum, 300 College Park, Dayton, Ohio

In Nativity traditions around the world, a large crowd gathers near the newborn Jesus. Some of the most expansive Nativity sets in the Marian Library Crèche Collection illustrate that the joy of Christmas is best shared with others. View exhibit hours to plan your visit on weekdays or weekends.

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Calendar 2026-11-16T09:00:00 2027-01-15T16:00:00 America/New_York It Takes a Village: Christmas in Community In Nativity traditions around the world, a large crowd gathers near the newborn Jesus. Some of the most expansive Nativity sets in the Marian Library Crèche Collection illustrate that the joy of Christmas is best shared with others. View exhibit hours to plan your visit on weekdays or weekends. Roesch Library Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery, Marian Library Gallery and Crèche Museum, 300 College Park, Dayton, Ohio
Detailed scene of a 3-dimensional cardboard Nativity scene with villagers all around.

Join the Crowd

Get to know the people who live and work in the bustling towns and hilltop villages seen in the Nativity sets selected for this year's Christmas exhibit. Experience their curiosity and excitement as they prepare to meet the newborn King.

Two women head to the Holy family passing a building and a church.

Join the Crowd

Get to know the people who live and work in the bustling towns and hilltop villages seen in the Nativity sets selected for this year's Christmas exhibit. Experience their curiosity and excitement as they prepare to meet the newborn King.

Villagers in front of a house with bowls on their heads or wearing large-brimmed yellow hats.

Join the Crowd

Get to know the people who live and work in the bustling towns and hilltop villages seen in the Nativity sets selected for this year's Christmas exhibit. Experience their curiosity and excitement as they prepare to meet the newborn King.
A Nativity set filled with buildings and tents.

Join the Crowd

Get to know the people who live and work in the bustling towns and hilltop villages seen in the Nativity sets selected for this year's Christmas exhibit. Experience their curiosity and excitement as they prepare to meet the newborn King.
Plan Your Visit

Exhibit Hours

Weekdays

To see all areas of the exhibit, visit during the Marian Library's hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from Nov. 16, 2026 through Jan. 15, 2027. The section of the exhibit in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery is open when Roesch Library is open.

Closed Nov. 26-27, Dec. 8, Dec. 24 – Jan. 1

Weekends

  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20

Please check the Marian Library calendar before visiting.

What to Expect and Helpful Tips

This exhibit is a self-guided experience spanning two floors of the Roesch Library building. It is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Enjoy browsing each space at your leisure.

  • Relax with our coloring sheets, craft area and reading nook.
  • Grab a Seek-and-Find activity and search for details among the Nativities on display.
  • Large-print versions of the exhibit labels are available at the first-floor Hello Desk and the seventh-floor Marian Library Welcome Desk.

Plan Ahead

  • Know your route by reviewing directions and parking information for Roesch Library. 
  • Familiarize yourself with the the building layout and location of restrooms, elevators and accessible spaces by viewing these floor maps ahead of your visit.
  • Changing tables are available on the first, second and seventh floors.
  • In general, it should take around an hour to see the full exhibit. Plan to arrive at least an hour before closing time. Please see the Exhibit Hours tab for more information.

Group Visits

It is helpful for our staff to know when large groups plan to visit. Please submit the large-group visitor form to inform us of your chosen date and time. In response, we will send an educator guide that provides important information such as bus drop off locations, parking and tips for navigating the exhibit with groups. For more information, please email marianlibrary@udayton.edu or call 937-229-4214.