Gingerbread Tips & Tricks Tour
35th Annual Gingerbread Contest Opens!
35th Annual Gingerbread House Contest
Experiment and push the limits in our annual Gingerbread House Contest!
November 28–December 30
Open Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free Admission
Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm
Theme for 2025: The Great Gingerbread Experiment
Step into a world where gingerbread meets imagination! For 2025, we’re looking for bold, unexpected creations in The Great Gingerbread Experiment. Come and see bakers, builders, and dreamers of all ages stretch the boundaries of confectionery as they present sculptures, scenes, and sweet surprises that defy the traditional roof and walls.
You’ll see all types of experiments: new kinds of structure, using an edible material you’d never think to put on a gingerbread house, or knocking down the gingerbread walls altogether, we have filled the gallery to with innovative designs come to life. Embrace creativity and join us for a season of playful experimentation in gingerbread like never before.
Programs and Events
Gingerbread Reception and Awards Party
Friday, December 5, 5:30–7:30 pm
Gingerbread House Workshop
Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 10:30 am
Cookie Swap
Saturday, December 13 at 1pm
Gingerbread Smash
Saturday, January 3, 1 pm
Extended Gingerbread Hours:
Saturday, December 6 open until 9 pm for Shop & Stroll
Friday, December 12 open until 8 pm
Friday, December 19 open until 8 pm
Tips and Tricks Tours: December 12 & 19, 5:30–6:30 pm
Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm
Gingerbread House Raffle
Win a gingerbread creation to take home as a holiday centerpiece! Raffle tickets are $5, and winners will be notified on December 16.
All winners have been alerted and houses will be picked up between Sunday, December 21 and Monday, December 22, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Stocking Raffle
Enter to win curated gift baskets perfect for the holiday season. Stockings include:
❄ Skating passes
❄ Dinner and a show
❄ Ice Castles adventures
❄ Founder’s tour at Wiggle Bridge Distillery
Community Judge’s Awards
It’s always such a difficult job to judge the Gingerbread Contest. Let’s give our judges a round of applause for their hard work!
Youth Category
Our youngest builders can count on their creative minds to come up with experimental styles and ways to construct gingerbread.
Our youth winner, Cole Dinulos, reached new heights with his Eiffel Tower in Winter in Paris.
Runners up, The Children’s Garden Preschool, asked the important question, what happens If You Give a Moose a Gingerbread House?
Teen Category
This year’s teen category showed what can be done when you work together, with many group entries.
Merry Grinchmas from Little Clipper Preschool and PHS Careers in Education Students!
The sibling duo of Alyza & Vaughan Vaillancourt took home the honorable mention for Clara’s Escape.
Multigenerational Category
Three generations came together to bake, decorate, and assemble this stunning Encanto, made by Judy Monahan, Amy Monahan, Josie Monahan Case & Sandi Strzepek.
Working across generations led our bakers to discover new techniques and work together to build stunning gingerbread creations!
The Johnson Family created a massive Simple Christmas Cabin that left an impression on the judges.
Business Category
These gingerbread entries celebrate the many wonderful local businesses and non-profits we have in the Seacoast area.
The instantly recognizable Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater took home first prize, built by the brilliant minds behind Salvage Modern: Vintage Furniture.
This bright and colorful Sugarland by Libby Giordano for Make-A-Wish NH sure made an impression on our judges.
Adult Runner Up
Linda Roth experimented with isomalt for the first time in her ribbon-receiving Elsa’s Frozen Palace.
Best in Show Honorable Mention
The Throne of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come by Olivia Patsfield of Royal Cookies LLC made everyone take a closer look at the delicate (and edible) lacework.
Adult and Best in Show Winner
Judges were awed by the detail and skill used in this multi-award winner.
“Ode to Celia Thaxter” by Sandi Strzepek was this baker’s first attempt at working with gum paste (and won’t be her last). Each side of this build is full of fantastic details that must be seen in person.
Staff Picks
Each year, we love to award first-time entrants who have embraced this holiday tradition.
Best First-Time Adult
Kimberly Huber’s Cabin in the Woods is a perfect cozy retreat for this time of year.
Best First-Time Multigenerational
These mad scientists definitely tried something new in The Nautilus Experiment by Traci, Taylor, and Renee.
People’s Choice Winners
We had nearly 2,000 votes cast this year, and the People added more awards to several houses.
Most Creative Use of Materials
Necco wafters, licorice, and more led the The Johnson Family’s Simple Christmas Cabin to win Most Creative Use of Materials.
Most Whimsical
This topsy-turvy stack of colorful gingerbread houses piled high won the award for most whimsical. Congratulations to Sugarland by Libby Giordano for Make-A-Wish NH.
People’s Choice Most Attention to Detail and Best In Show
It’s been undeniable that, “Ode to Celia Thaxter” by Sandi Strzepek, caught so many eyes over the course of the month. Each side of this charming cottage has something new to behold!
Help Support Preservation in Portsmouth with a Cookie Plaque
Help support Portsmouth Historical Society and the Portsmouth Advocates’ efforts to preserve our historic architecture. Just like the plaques in our Historic House Plaque Program, you can buy a cookie plaque for your gingerbread creation! Just $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.
If you live in an historic home, check out the Plaque Program. You can start the process of commissioning a plaque and research the history of your house!
Thank you to our sweet sponsors:
2025 Gingerbread Registration
2025 Gingerbread House Contest Rules
Please review the rules and important dates before registering below.
- Maximum base size is 15” by 15”. You may NOT attach multiple bases together.
- Entries larger than 15” by 15” will not be accepted.
- Edible materials ONLY! This includes the “glue” that holds pieces together and support on the inside! Exception: you can include plug-in string lights or fairy lights, but no batteries!
- Sturdy base required! Your house will be picked up and moved multiple times during gallery set-up.
- By entering the contest, entrants authorize Portsmouth Historical Society to use their images and images of completed work in promotional materials.
Important Dates
| Thursday, November 20 | Registration deadline |
|
Saturday, November 22, 11am – 5pm Sunday, November 23, 11am – 5pm |
House Drop-off: All houses must be dropped off at 10 Middle Street during these days and times. |
| Friday, November 28 | Exhibition opens to the public! We will be open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and until 7:00 pm every Friday in December. |
| Friday, December 5, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Opening Reception, presentation of Community Judges’ award ribbons |
| Tuesday, December 30 | Exhibition Last Day |
Entry Categories
Participants are required to submit entries under one of these categories. Note: If youth and teens are working together without an adult, please choose the Teen category.
- Business/Non-Profit/Organization
- Adult(s) (Age 18 and older)
- Multi-Generational (Adults and youths or teens working together)
- Teen or Teen Group (Age 13–17, working without an adult)
- Youth or Youth Group (Age 12 and under working without an adult)
Notes
- Entrants will be asked to give their entry a title on drop-off.
- Gingerbread kits are allowed, provided they use only edible materials.
- Plug-in string lights allowed. Battery-operated lights strongly discouraged as the batteries die quickly.
- Your entry doesn’t have to be a “house.” We’ve seen boats, cars, books, barns, trees, etc. Anything goes as long as it’s made of edible materials!