6 Gingerbread House Contests Happening at Historic U.S. Inns

The holiday season brings one of its sweetest traditions: gingerbread house contests held in America’s most historic inns. These festive gatherings invite bakers of all ages to design, build, and display edible masterpieces inside grand hotel lobbies and cozy mountain lodges. From elaborate candy mansions to tiny sugar cottages, these competitions celebrate artistry, hospitality, and nostalgia. Whether you compete or simply watch, the aroma of spice and creativity fills each venue, bringing warmth and cheer to the winter season.

1. National Gingerbread House Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa, Asheville

Since 1992, this national competition has inspired extraordinary edible artistry. Bakers from across the country create designs that must be at least seventy five percent gingerbread and entirely edible. The entries are displayed throughout the inn’s Great Hall during the holidays, transforming it into a sugary wonderland. With more than forty thousand dollars in prizes and four competition categories, the event has become one of Asheville’s proudest traditions and a major attraction for holiday travelers seeking magic and craftsmanship.

2. Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition at Mohonk Mountain House, New York

Set within the turreted Victorian resort of Mohonk Mountain House, this event combines creativity, community, and holiday joy. Each December, dozens of participants submit imaginative gingerbread entries, from fairy tale cottages to intricate mansions. Guests and visitors can view the displays and vote for their favorites while proceeds help support the Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Winners receive prizes that often include overnight stays, gift cards, and regional recognition, adding a festive spark to the winter season in New Paltz.

3. Annual Gingerbread House Competition at Bear Mountain Inn, Bear Mountain State Park

Held at the historic Bear Mountain Inn built in 1915, this cheerful contest welcomes families, friends, and community groups. Participants showcase edible creations in several categories, including adult, youth, and nonprofit group entries. The public is encouraged to vote, turning the event into a lively community celebration. Each year’s contest transforms the inn’s rustic interior into a winter wonderland filled with spice and color, reflecting the perfect blend of creativity, camaraderie, and mountain charm during the holidays.

4. Gingerbread Display and Contest at The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond

This elegant Richmond hotel hosts one of the region’s most beloved holiday showcases. Its pastry team creates monumental gingerbread structures that often weigh more than a thousand pounds and feature hundreds of pounds of candy and icing. Past displays have included elaborate Santa’s workshops and whimsical holiday shops. Visitors can admire the artistry in the hotel’s historic lobby throughout December. Jefferson’s long-standing commitment to edible art turns its annual display into an unforgettable holiday experience for guests and locals alike.

5. Magnificent Gingerbread Displays by Historic Hotels of America

Historic Hotels of America curates and highlights outstanding gingerbread creations presented across its member inns and resorts. This annual showcase celebrates holiday craftsmanship while preserving culinary traditions dating back to the nineteenth century. Each participating property transforms its lobby or dining hall into a sugary gallery featuring themed houses, castles, or replicas of local landmarks. Many properties host public voting or community exhibitions, creating a shared experience that blends holiday joy with the timeless heritage of historic hospitality.

6. Gingerbread Showcase at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

Each year, The Broadmoor’s pastry team creates a breathtaking life-size gingerbread masterpiece. Past displays have included edible golf carts and intricate replicas of the resort itself. Using hundreds of pounds of gingerbread, chocolate, and icing, the team crafts architectural wonders that fill the resort with the scent of spice and sugar. Though not a formal competition, the display is an annual highlight for guests and locals who gather to marvel at the detail and scale of Colorado’s most impressive holiday creation.