Gingerbread House Competition
Held in conjunction with the Festival of Trees and the Exeter Chamber & Exeter Parks + Rec Holiday Block Party each December in Downtown Exeter. Participants decorate a gingerbread house and enter it for judging and display to the public during the event.
This event is underwritten by Meredith Village Savings Bank. Thank you for your support!
The 2026 Gingerbread Houses will be displayed for viewing and judging of the People’s Choice Award on Thursday, December 3rd, 11 am - 8 pm.
Houses are set up in the Congregational Church, 21 Front St, Exeter, NH 03833.
Come by and support our participants and cast a vote for your favorite!
Award Categories:
Child (12 & under)
Teen
Youth Group
Adult/Adult Group
Family
Business
18TH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
DECEMBER 3rd, 2026 FROM 11AM – 8PM
“Christmas Time Machine”
Multiple Award Categories
Start Your Ovens! Gingerbread House Entry Criteria:
Gingerbread entries must have a foundation no bigger than 24”x24”.
All gingerbread houses must be made of edible objects except the foundation
All lighting must be battery powered.
Entry must have a 3x5 card attached stating name, phone number & category
Entries must be delivered on DECEMBER 2nd from 4-6pm and be picked up after the event or on DECEMBER 4th between 9 – 11am at the Exeter Congregational Church, 21 Front St
If you’d rather not register online, you can download your form and mail a check.
Participation Disclaimer: The Exeter Area Charitable Foundation (EACF), the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce (EACC), and the Exeter Congregational Church and its agents are not responsible for any entries that may be damaged or lost. They reserve the right to remove any house display that may be offensive in any way; no money will be refunded. They reserve the right to use any pictures or likeness for promotional use. They reserve the right to cancel the contest in the event of any act of God.
