Contest Rules

Official Rules & Guidelines - 2026

All entrants must read these Official Rules & Guidelines carefully and agree to comply with them by entering the contest.

Any violation of these rules may result in disqualification, and entry fees will not be refunded.

Questions should be directed to registrar@gingerbread-contest.com.

Display space is limited. Entries are accepted on a first-registered, first-confirmed basis.

Entry Registration

• Registration opens July 1, 2026.

• Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

• Registration is completed by purchasing the entry ticket through the website and submitting all required information.

• Display space is limited. A waiting list may be created, and registration may close when capacity is reached.

• Registration is not complete until (1) the form is submitted, (2) the fee is paid in full, and (3) a confirmation email is received.

• Entry fees are non-refundable, except if the organizers cancel the contest.

Competitor Categories

Professional

• Eligibility: Professional category eligibility applies.

• Entry fee: $75.

• Sponsor recognition in event publicity from August through December.

• Festival-produced 4 x 5-inch display card with business name and QR code.

• Prizes: First place equals 50% of all Professional entry fees collected, with a guaranteed minimum award of $200; second place $150; third place $100.

Non-Professional

• Open to anyone age 13 or older who does not qualify as Professional.

• Entrants under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

• Entry fee: $20.

• Prizes: $200 (first), $100 (second), $50 (third).

Entry Acceptance and Quality Standards

• Entries must be substantially complete, structurally sound, and suitable for public display.

• The committee may refuse, remove, or disqualify entries that do not comply with these rules; exceed size or weight limits; are incomplete or damaged; contain prohibited materials or are unsafe; or are offensive or inappropriate.

• Acceptance of registration does not guarantee exhibition.

Contest Schedule

• Entry drop-off: Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Port Jefferson Masonic Temple, 312 Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777.

• Public exhibition: Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM; and Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

• Winners announcement: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

• Entry pickup: Monday, December 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

• Unpicked entries will be discarded unless advance arrangements are made with the Contest Registrar.

Judging

• Overall Appearance: 30 points.

• Creativity & Originality: 25 points.

• Precision & Craftsmanship: 25 points.

• Difficulty & Complexity: 20 points.

• No required overall theme; any building or structure is acceptable.

• Handmade decorative elements are preferred.

• Judges’ decisions are final.

Additional Recognition

• People’s Choice Award and Best Dickens-Themed Entry award may be presented.

• These awards do not include cash unless separately announced.

Size Limitations

Maximums include the base:

• Height: 20 inches.

• Width: 18 inches.

• Depth: 18 inches.

• Weight: 50 pounds maximum.

Materials, Construction, and Restrictions

• No store-bought entries. Preassembled, commercially produced, or kit-based gingerbread houses or completed structures are not permitted.

• Individual store-bought ingredients and decorations may be used, but entrants must make and construct the entry themselves.

• All visible portions above the base must be made entirely from edible materials.

• At least 75% of the visible structure must be gingerbread, cookie, or another baked edible product.

• Gum paste, fondant, chocolate, royal icing, unwrapped candy, and other edible decorations are permitted and encouraged.

• Entries must be constructed by the registered entrant or team; adult supervision is allowed when needed for safety.

• Prohibited non-edible structural supports above the base include wood, plastic, foam, or cardboard; metal armatures or wire; toothpicks or skewers; commercial display stands; and any other non-edible material that contributes to the frame, support, or stability of the entry.

• Battery-powered LED lighting is permitted only when fully contained within the entry, used solely for illumination, and not used for structural support.

Entry Identification

Each entry must include:

• Entry title.

• Entrant name or team name.

• Competitor category.

• Current contact information.

• A valid entry ticket purchased through gingerbread-contest.com.

Professional entrants must also provide the exact business name and QR-code destination requested by the Contest Registrar for the Festival-produced display card.

Photography, Promotion, and Public Display

By entering the contest, entrants grant Suffolk Lodge No. 60 F&AM and the Festival permission to photograph and video record submitted entries and to publish those images for event publicity, press, social media, and other promotional purposes.

Liability and Display Conditions

Organizers will exercise reasonable care in handling entries but assume no responsibility for damage during transportation, drop-off, setup, judging, public display, storage, or pickup.

General Conditions

Participation constitutes acceptance of all rules and guidelines.

Suffolk Lodge No. 60 F&AM reserves the right to interpret the rules, resolve unforeseen circumstances, and make decisions necessary for the safe and fair administration of the contest.