33rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition
It’s the sweetest time of the year!
To celebrate over 400 years of Portsmouth’s history, the gingerbread committee at Portsmouth Historical Society has chosen the theme of “Portsmouth Past, Present and Future.” Join us at Portsmouth Historical Society from November 24 through December 30 to enjoy our 33rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition.
Exhibition on display Nov. 24–Dec. 30, 2023, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Open until 7:00 pm on Fridays in December
Free for all!
Programs & Prizes
Community Judges’ 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!
- Sean Clancy, Assistant City Manager for Economic & Community Development
- Karen Conard, City Manager
- Kate Cook, City Councilor
- Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce
- PortsmouthNH400 representatives
- Bangor Savings Bank
- Devine Millimet
- Kennebunk Savings Bank
- Seacoast Lately
- St. Mary’s Bank
Adult Category
The winner is Lauren Burdett’s HMS Hospitality Line, showcasing the red phone box that was gifted to Portsmouth, NH from Portsmouth, England in 1984
Our adult category featured so many iconic Portsmouth landmarks and creative constructions that we were once again blown away!
Honorable mention goes to Lindsay Carroll’s Our Lovely Port.
Multi-Generational Category
This category brings together families and friends of all ages to work on a gingerbread entry. This year’s entries were so incredible that the judges were tied for the Honorable Mention!
Our first honorable mention goes to the Palace Family for their Goat Mountain Skiing.
The winner is Water Wheel Castle with Textile Mill by Natalie, Rachel, and Xander Little.
The other honorable mention goes to Portsmouth Tug by the Kindstedt Family.
Teen Category
Our teen entrants combine beautiful execution with creative inspiration.
The winner is Gia Giordano’s Blue Christmas.
Honorable mention goes to Prescott Park Paradox (Before & After Climate Change) by Evy, Emma, Jillian, & Ava.
Youth Category
We’re always impressed with our youngest bakers. This year’s entries include favorite places and events in Portsmouth like Prescott Park, the Parade of Sail, and of course our John Paul Jones House!
The winner is Drew Ordman’s Tall Ships Portsmouth.
Honorable mention goes to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse by Lillian Carroll.
Business or Organization Category
The Little Old Cubicle in the Shoe by the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ Super Seven takes home the prize ribbon. We have it on good authority that the office also approves of this entry.
The Monarch School gets the honorable mention for The Albacore in Action, honoring the iconic Portsmouth submarine.
Best in Show
Congratulations to Libby Giordano for her colorful Candyland at Christmas.
With so many incredible entries we have not one, but two houses taking home an honorable mention.
Marden-Abbott House & Store by Clare Dombrowski looks just like the building at Strawbery Banke.
Showcasing multiple iconic Portsmouth views Sandi Strzepek’s I ♡ Portsmouth also takes home a ribbon.
Committee’s Choice Awards
Best Historic Detail
While there were many nods to over 400 years of Portsmouth’s history in our gingerbread entries this year one monument stood above the rest. The award for Best Historic Detail goes to Rex Richards & Chloe Ingbretson-Dacey for Union is Strenght. This entry is a gingerbread representation of an arch that was erected between Market Square and Daniel Street in September, 1900 for one of Portsmouth’s many parades. The original structure was made of wood and only stood for about a month. This version is made of gingerbread and will be in the exhibition for five weeks!
Best First-Time Entry
This pair of first-time entrants chose a Portsmouth building that is near and dear to the historical society. Christmas at John’s House by Penny & Charlotte depicts the John Paul Jones House. With its cheery yellow exterior and clever pretzel windows their inspiration is immediately clear
People’s Choice Awards
The big winner for the People’s Choice Awards was Make-A-Wish New Hampshire’s Yuletide Palace made by Libby Giordano. This classic winter wonderland won not only People’s Choice for Best in Show, but also, Most Attention to Detail.
Libby Giordano’s Candyland at Christmas wins People’s Choice for Most Whimsical.
Best Downtown House goes to Richardson’s Market by Beth & Greg Danilowshi.
Most Creative Use of Materials goes to Water Wheel Castle with Textile Mill by Natalie, Rachel, and Xander Little.
Gingerbread House Raffle
Win a gingerbread creation to take home as a holiday centerpiece! Raffle tickets are $1, and winners will be notified on December 19, and they may pick up the house won on Friday, December 22 between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, or on Saturday, December 23, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Downtown Scavenger Hunt
For the fourth year in a row, we’re partnering with downtown retailers to create a gingerbread scavenger hunt! Find all the houses, collect all your stamps, and return your entry to Portsmouth Historical Society by December 19 for a chance to win a prize! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite downtown house, too!
Gingerbread Eye-Spy
We’ll have an eye-spy activity for the younger kids. Find all the pictures and get a sticker—and a piece of candy if the parents say it’s okay!
Takeaway Craft for Kids
We’ll also have an easy craft-to-go to complete at home. Color and assemble your own gingerbread house!
