Thank You
to all who took part in the
3rd Annual Port Gingerbread Festival
as Sponsors, Volunteers, Visitors and Gingerbread Artists!
December 12-14, 2025
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Photos throughout the website by Jim Barbere, Menka Belgal, Barbara Dowd, Kevin A. Latady
Congratulations to all the contest winners!
“Gingerbread, Tea, & A Touch of Magic”
by Andrea Blackington
Adult Division: Judges’ & People’s Choice Awards
(photo Barbara Dowd)
“The House of the Lord”
by Carolyn Fuller
Teen Division: Judges’ Award
& People’s Choice Award
(photo c Kevin A. Latady)
”We Love Dogs” by Michaela & Diane McGowan
Families & Multigenerational Groups Division: Judges’ Award
(photo Menka Belgal Photography)
“The Eiffel Tower”
by Zachary Palenscar
Families & Multigenerational Groups Division: People’s Choice Award
(photo c Kevin A. Latady)
“The Twinkling Touch”
by Brushed Hair Salon Team
Adult Organizations Division: Judges’ Award
(photo Menka Belgal Photography)
“Building the Future, One Gumdrop at a Time” by Newburyport Recreation & Youth Services
Youth Groups Division: Judges’ & People’s Choice Awards
(photo c Kevin A. Latady)
“American Renaissance”
by American Renaissance Painting & Restoration
Adult Organizations: People’s Choice Award
(photo Barbara Dowd)
Thank you to our lead Sponsors!
This program is supported in part by grants from the Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury Cultural Councils, which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
What is the Port Gingerbread Festival?
Now in its third year, the Port Gingerbread Festival is a FREE contest and public exhibition of artistic gingerbread creations made by people of all ages. From “traditional” gingerbread houses to ships, churches, lighthouses, carriages or castles – the possibilities are endless!
Is the Festival a Fundraiser?
Yes! It’s creativity for a cause! The proceeds of the Port Gingerbread Festival will benefit Nourishing the North Shore (www.nourishingthenorthshore.org) a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring equal access to healthy, local food for all members of the North Shore communities, in a manner that builds community, fosters connection, and promotes dignity and self-reliance.
Who Can Participate?
All are welcome to join in this holiday tradition! Children, families, teens, adults, youth groups, civic and community organizations, and businesses. Choose how you’d like to participate:
Make a gingerbread creation for the contest and exhibition – ENTRY is FREE! Register by December 7, deliver on December 11.
Donate to the Festival – help keep it admission-free with net proceeds to charity.
Volunteer at the exhibition, to welcome visitors, make friends and give back to your community.
Visit the exhibition – ADMISSION is FREE! Donations are welcome if you’re willing and able.
Inspiration for Gingerbread Makers!
Enter the contest as an individual, or as a family, group, business, non-profit organization, civic group or governmental entity. We expect submissions to be as diverse and unique as their creators! Here are some creation categories to spark your thinking - not limited to these, but food for thought:
Art, history & architecture
Seafarers & travel
Fiction & fantasy favorites
Sports or the great outdoors
Creatures great or small!
Finished creations are due at the church hall on December 11. Please see our Create page for contest rules, recipes and resources.
Sweet Creations by People of all Ages & Skill Levels
A short walk from Santa’s Workshop in Tracy Square
Friday, December 12, 4-7
Saturday, December 13, 11-6
Sunday, December 14, 12-4
How Community Nonprofits Participate
Local nonprofits support the Festival by spreading the word among their constituents, helping us recruit gingerbread makers, sponsors, volunteers, and visitors. We are grateful also for their valuable advice on matters both strategic and technical. Some organizations host workshops to help people create pieces for entry in the contest. All organizations are invited to create and display a special gingerbread piece to raise public awareness of their mission. Please get in touch with us if you’d like your organization to be part of the fun!
