Gingerbread House Competition

This event is underwritten by Meredith Village Savings Bank. Thank you for your support!

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.

The 2024 Gingerbread Houses will be displayed for viewing and judging of the People’s Choice Award on Thursday, December 5th, 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!

Online Registration

Award Categories:

  • People’s Choice Award: Best house as voted on by the public during the event

  • Best Youth Group: Decorators are a 2 or more child/teens

  • Best Child House: Decorator is a child under age 12

  • Best Teen House: Decorator is a teen age 13 - 19

  • Best Adult House: Decorator is an adult age 20 and over

  • Best Friends & Neighbors House: Decorators are friends & neighbors of any age

  • Best Family House: Decorators are a family

  • Best Adult Group House: Decorators are 2 or more adults

  • Best Professional House: Decorator is a professional baker/chef

  • Best Theme: Best house that represents this year’s theme Entry Criteria

Entry Requirements

  • Entrants must complete the Registration Form and pay $20 Registration Fee.

  • 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: House Name, Contact/Company name, & phone number

  • Entries must be delivered to the Exeter Congregational Church (21 Front Street) on December 4th from 4 pm - 6 pm 

  • Entries must be picked up on December 5th at 8 pm or on December 6th from 9 am - 11 am

    Entries accepted in the following categories:

  • Child (0-12)

  • Teen (13-19)

  • Adult (20+)

  • Friends & Neighbors (All Ages)

  • Family

  • Youth Group

  • Adult Group

  • Professional

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.