Join us!
2nd Annual Port Gingerbread Festival

What is the Port Gingerbread Festival?

Now in its second year, the Port Gingerbread Festival is a contest and public exhibition of artistic gingerbread creations made by people of all ages throughout the community. 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 local 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 local holiday tradition! Children, families, teens, adults, youth groups, civic and community organizations, and businesses. Choose how you’d like to participate:

• Sponsor the Festival by making a financial contribution…help us to keep it free for others.

• Make a gingerbread creation for the contest and exhibition – ENTRY is FREE!

• 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 Creators!

Consider entering the contest with a submission that represents you and/or your business! It can be both a unique advertisement for your business and a creative team-building project for your employees. 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

• Home sweet home

• The great outdoors

• Food, glorious food!

Finished creations are due at the church hall on December 12. Please see our Create page for contest rules, recipes and resources.

Community Non-profit Organizations

Local nonprofits support the Festival by spreading the word among their constituents, helping us recruit gingerbread makers, sponsors, volunteers, and visitors. Some organizations will host workshops to create pieces for entry in the contest. Some will create and display a special gingerbread piece to communicate their mission. We are grateful also for their valuable advice on matters both strategic and technical.

Participating organizations in 2024 included the following. We welcome more to join in!

• Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association

• Boy Scouts of America Troop 251 (Newburyport)

• Custom House Maritime Museum

• Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Culinary Arts Program

• Girls Inc. of the Seacoast Area

• Greater Newburyport Community Media Hub, Inc.

• Museum of Old Newbury

• Newburyport Art Association

• Newburyport Choral Society

• Newburyport Youth Services

• The Actors Studio of Newburyport

• Theater in the Open

• Tinkerhaus

• YWCA Greater Newburyport