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 |
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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!
The form appears to be for 2024. What is theme, please?
Looks like you jumped right to the registration page without making it to the Gingerbread Homepage first. https://portsmouthhistory.org/exhibitions/gingerbread2025/
Our theme is The Great Gingerbread Experiment!