Part of Christmas at DeKoven | Sunday, December 7, 2025
Do you build a better gingerbread house than your neighbors? Think your team can out-frost the competition? Enter your most festive creation in our first-ever Gingerbread House Competition — part of the Christmas at DeKoven holiday celebration!
Whether you're an individual, family, business, classroom, or community group, all are welcome to join in the fun. Gingerbread entries will be on display for thousands of guests to admire during our one-day-only event — and the winners will go home with cash prizes!
Entry Details
Entry Fee: $25 per entry
Who Can Enter: Individuals, families, businesses, and community groups
Limit: One entry per person or group
Entry Deadline: Houses must be dropped off by Thursday, December 4, 2025
Multiple individuals from the same organization may enter separately, but each must submit their own entry and pay the fee.
Competition Guidelines
To ensure a smooth experience and protect our historic buildings, all participants must follow these rules:
● Edibility: Each entry must be made of at least 75% edible components (candy, icing, cereal, cookies, pasta, etc.)
● Shelf-Stability: All materials must be non-perishable and shelf-stable ⚠️ No fresh fruit, dairy, meat, or anything that requires refrigeration ⚠️
● Size Limit: Entries must not exceed 24" x 24" (2 ft x 2 ft) in footprint; (Taller entries are fine, as long as they are stable)
● Construction: Must be free-standing and durable enough to be moved for display
The DeKoven Center reserves the right to refuse display of any entry deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with the spirit of the event. This includes, but is not limited to, content that is violent, offensive, or not family-friendly.
Entry fees are non-refundable, including in cases where an entry is not displayed for these reasons.
Prizes
All entries will be judged by popular vote during the event. Visitors will receive tickets to vote for their favorites throughout the day.
Cash Prizes:
🥇 1st Place — $150
🥈 2nd Place — $100
🥉 3rd Place — $50
Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025 during the event.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Delivery Window:
Monday, December 1 – Thursday, December 4 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
DeKoven Center: Great Hall | 2000 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI
Pick-Up Deadline:
All entries must be picked up by Monday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. (You may also retrieve them after the event ends on Sunday)
Any entries not collected by the deadline will be respectfully discarded.