50 Years of Department 56 and William Glen!
Department 56’s 50th anniversary in 2026 is a milestone for collectors everywhere, and for William Glen it is also a celebration of one of the longest and deepest partnerships in the world of holiday villages and figurines. Together, Department 56 and William Glen invite fans to rediscover the magic of lighted villages, Snowbabies, and Possible Dreams Santas—and to add something special to their collections from WilliamGlen.com.
Fifty years of Department 56 magic
Since 1976, Department 56 has been crafting lighted villages and holiday collectibles that turn shelves, mantels, and tabletops into miniature worlds full of charm and story. The special 50th Anniversary pieces released for 2026 highlight that legacy, capturing the feel of classic villages while introducing new details and designs that keep collections fresh and exciting. Collectors who fell in love with The Original Snow Village, Dickens’ Village, and other iconic lines now have a chance to mark this anniversary with pieces that celebrate half a century of imagination.
William Glen: The Longest-Standing 56 Dealer
For William Glen, this anniversary is deeply personal: the store has been working with Department 56 longer than any other retail partner still in operation, making it the brand’s longest-standing dealer and a trusted resource for collectors. Over the decades, William Glen has watched families start their first village, return year after year for a new house or figure, and pass collections down from one generation to the next. That history lives on today at WilliamGlen.com, where the same passion for display ideas, gift-giving, and careful curation helps customers choose pieces that feel both nostalgic and new.
Every active Village, Snowbabies, and Possible Dreams piece
To honor this 50th anniversary, William Glen has committed to stocking every active item in the Department 56 Village category, the full Snowbabies line, and the entire Possible Dreams collection, giving collectors a one-stop shop for the complete assortment. Whether you’re hunting for the newest 50th Anniversary village building, a sweet Snowbabies scene, or a characterful Possible Dreams Santa, you can find it all in one place at WilliamGlen.com instead of chasing scattered availability. Pair that depth of inventory with the convenience of free domestic shipping on most orders, and it becomes easier than ever to add a single figure or an entire street of houses to your display without worrying about extra costs at checkout.
Build the next 50 years—shipped right to you
There’s a special kind of joy in unpacking a favorite village house you’ve owned for years and setting it next to a brand-new 50th Anniversary piece, seeing your story grow one building at a time. In 2026, William Glen invites collectors to use this milestone year to start a new village, finish a themed display, or finally treat themselves to that standout church, train station, or Santa they’ve been eyeing—knowing that most domestic orders ship free, straight to their doorstep. As Department 56 celebrates 50 years of “light, joy, and tradition,” WilliamGlen.com stands ready with every active Village, Snowbabies, and Possible Dreams piece, making it easier than ever to turn inspiration into a glowing, memory-filled display at home.
