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Welcome to Asheville, North Carolina—and the National Gingerbread House Competition.
After a year’s pause while Asheville recovered from Hurricane Helene, the National Gingerbread House Competition has returned to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa—stronger, sweeter, and more inspiring than ever.
The comeback brought 235 edible creations from 25 states. Every piece is 100% edible, built with at least 75% gingerbread, and judged for creativity, precision, and originality. The exhibit is on display until January 4, 2026.
As a travel journalist, I’m always looking for places that value tradition and the human hands behind it. This competition isn’t just about gingerbread—it’s about perseverance, imagination, and coming together after a hard year to build something joyful. The national competition began as a small community event in 1992.
More Than Gingerbread
Every single piece you see is 100 percent edible, built with at least 75 percent gingerbread, and judged on creativity, precision, and originality.
What I love about this competition is that it feels both grand and deeply personal. Families, professional bakers, engineers, artists—people from all walks of life—pour hundreds of hours into something that’s meant to delight, not last forever.
The Competition’s Centerpiece
And then there’s the hotel’s own showstopper—the Great Gingerbread House.
Measuring 33 feet long and 8 feet tall, it’s a jaw-dropping centerpiece that anchors the entire experience and draws visitors of all ages back to childhood wonder.
A Tradition Rooted in History
Gingerbread may feel playful and modern, but its roots go back centuries. Ginger itself traveled west along ancient spice routes, prized for both flavor and healing.
By the Middle Ages, Europeans were shaping gingerbread into pressed breads and ornate figures sold at fairs and religious festivals—part nourishment, part folk art.
In England, legend credits Elizabeth I with popularizing gingerbread figures fashioned after visiting dignitaries—an early reminder that food has always carried symbolism. In Germany, bakers in Nuremberg perfected spiced Lebkuchen, and by the 1800s, the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel helped give rise to the gingerbread house as we know it.
Built to Delight, Not to Last
Immigrants carried these traditions to America, where recipes evolved, creativity flourished, and gingerbread became a holiday ritual. What started as medicine, then celebration, is now storytelling you can eat—built by hand, meant to delight, and never meant to last forever.
The National Gingerbread House Competition is on display here at the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa through January 4, 2026. And trust me—this is one sweet detour worth taking.
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Travel Deeper Into The Carolinas:
Top Scenic Drives in South Carolina
Asheville: Where Art, Craft and Literature Converge
What Makes Asheville NC the Best Hotel? Key Features to Look For
10 Affordable Graduation Trips in USA for Memorable Adventures
