Asheville Prepares for 34th National Gingerbread House Competition

The competition, which began in 1992 as a modest local display, has grown into a significant holiday tradition that draws thousands of visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains. This year’s judging panel welcomes two new experts: Le Cordon Bleu-certified pastry chef Sasha Aleksandra Nary and Food Network competitor Rabiha Sami. Their combined expertise will evaluate submissions ranging from whimsical cottages to complex, structural designs.

Contestants must complete registration on November 14 and 15, with the final judging and awards ceremony scheduled for Monday, November 16. While the ceremony remains private for participants and their families, the public exhibition opens to resort guests on November 17 and runs through January 3, 2027. Beyond the culinary displays, the resort continues its philanthropic efforts, having donated over $1.4 million to Buncombe County nonprofits through parking proceeds since 2013.