Every November since 1992, the Omni Grove Park Inn has filled its halls with hundreds of handcrafted gingerbread creations: whimsical cottages, architectural masterpieces, storybook castles. And all are built entirely from edible materials. The 2026 competition judges on November 16, and the display remains up through the holiday season. Anyone can enter!

This year's judging panel includes Sasha Aleksandra Nary, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris-certified pastry chef and author of Baking Magic, and Rabiha Sami, a Food Network competitor known for gravity-defying cakes and structural cookie work. Bakers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to enter for chances to win cash prizes, national recognition, and specialty awards. (The houses are amazing!)

In addition to the Gingerbread House display, the inn will be ready for Christmas with more than 80 decorated Christmas trees, a life-size gingerbread house, massive stone fireplaces, and hot cocoa. It is one of the most complete holiday experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains.