2026 Gingerbread House Contest and Display

Accepting entries between November 28th & December 11th! Put your creativity to work in the Mark Twain Museum’s Annual Gingerbread Contest and Display! You won’t want to miss the delectable display of Gingerbread Houses in the Museum Gallery Window during the Holiday Season, and vote on your favorites during the Victorian Festival of Christmas Living Windows event. Our generous sponsors and prizes are to be announced! You can enter your Gingerbread House design in one of our 3 categories: Youth (up to age 17), Adult (ages 18+), or the Baker (all from scratch). Gingerbread Houses will remain on display to the public in the Museum Gallery window from the Monday following Thanksgiving until the Monday following New Year’s Day. People’s Choice voting will be held during the Victorian Festival of Living’s Live Window display held on December 12th between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Online voting will also be available. A link will be posted to the museum’s Facebook page and QR codes will be posted in the window as well. Winners will be announced on the Monday following. Gingerbread houses must be placed on a base not to exceed 12″ by 18″ that is constructed of cardboard, foam core, or 1/2′ plywood. Interior supports for the Bakers Division, if needed, may consist of straws, toothpicks, small dowels, spaghetti, or candy canes. The museum is not responsible for any damage that occurs during transport or display. Drop off your edible creation at the Museum Gallery at 120 N. Main Street, November 28th through December 11th, between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. One gingerbread house per person, with an entry form, is allowed. No entry fee required. Entry forms are available in the Museum Gallery Gift Shop upon delivery of the gingerbread house.