For decades, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park has been bringing enjoyment to legions of people through its contemporary and innovative marionette productions based on children’s classics.
Beginning February 4th, 2025, Cinderella Samba takes place in the lush landscape of Brazil, where, with the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella attends Rio de Janeiro’s biggest Carnaval gala and dances with Prince Paulo. The lively production features an original musical soundtrack by Daryl Kojak, commissioned by the Cottage, that brings samba center-stage. The show features a festive Carnaval float, stunning sets, and one-of-a-kind marionettes donning vibrant celebratory costumes. Catch the show Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 11 AM and 1PM.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is not available for birthday party rentals at this time. Please check back on our website for any updates to that policy.
* No refunds or exchanges will be given or accepted. For more information on school group rates, please call (212) 879 0794 or email swedishcottage@cityparksfoundation.org
Location
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is located at West 79th Street & West Drive, inside Central Park. Find walking directions here. Find a map through the park to the cottage here.
Contact
For more information please contact (212) 639-1697.
For more information on school group rates, please call (212) 639-1697 or email swedishcottage@
Please note: Tickets must be purchased in advance online; walk-up tickets will not be available for purchase at the venue. No refunds or exchanges will be given or accepted.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre was imported to the U.S. in 1876 as Sweden’s exhibit for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The enchanting Swedish architecture and craftsmanship of the structure, suggestive of a model schoolhouse, caught the eye of Frederick Law Olmsted, who brought it to Central Park in 1877.
A traveling marionette company was founded in 1939 and in 1947 the Swedish Cottage became home to the company. In 1973, a permanent theater was constructed inside the Swedish Cottage, designed for marionette performances. Since then, hundreds of thousands of children and families from around the world have enjoyed its original productions.
Every year, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre takes the show on the road from Central Park to the five boroughs. Our CityParks PuppetMobile, the oldest continually operating company of its kind in the country, presents free performances and puppet-making workshops in neighborhood parks, recreation centers and schools throughout New York City.
Check out more of our past performances from the Swedish Cottage archive by visiting our YouTube page to see more full performances.
Because of you, NYC’s kids are learning how to protect our environment and being introduced to a new sport for life, community volunteers are transforming a green space in need of care, and free world-class performing arts are being brought to our parks all around the city—all for free. When you support City Parks Foundation's free programs, you are helping our parks, our communities, and our city thrive.
Generous private support for the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is provided by the Connelly Foundation in memory of Judith Connelly Delouvrier, The Weininger Foundation, and Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. In partnership with NYC Parks and Historic House Trust.
Main Office
830 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065
(212) 360-1399
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