National Gingerbread House Day is December 12 – Here are the Best Places to See Incredible Creations in the South
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is a cheery place to be during the Christmas season, thanks in part to its charming downtown with Victorian-style architecture, decorated shop windows, and elaborate light displays. The lighting of the seaside Christmas tree at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is a favorite among locals ($10 admission required for ages 10 and older, with all proceeds donated to local charities). Other annual events to get you in the island Christmas spirit are the Amelia Island Holiday Home Tour, a docent-led tour of historic family homes lavishly decorated by local florists and interior designers; Dickens on Centre, a Victorian-themed Christmas street festival; and the Parade of Paws pet parade. Stay in town for the annual New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop, a family-friendly community event near the riverfront in downtown Fernandina Beach with fireworks, pirates, live music, and more.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, North Carolina
The 29th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition returned to the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, with over 120 entries of gingerbread designs from all categories. The Merry Mischief Bakers from Phoenix, Arizona, were the Grand Prize Winners in the adult category with their "Christmas Around the Globe" gingerbread carousel. Visitors and guests of the hotel can see all the gingerbread creations at the hotel until January 2, 2022. Drive-on guests are welcome after 3 p.m. on Sundays and anytime Monday-Thursday. A $25 self-park fee will be charged for drive-on guests. Part of the proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations.
The Willard InterContinental
Washington, D.C.
The Willard InterContinental Hotel partnered with Washington, D.C. high school culinary students to create their annual gingerbread display. Students from the DC NAF Academies of Culinary Arts were divided into teams with guidance from instructors and the Willard culinary team to create the display. Through December 17 guests and visitors can vote for their favorite display and provide donations to American Experience Foundation, the nonprofit charity partnering with the Willard InterContinental for the event. The Willard InterContinental's 2019 gingerbread display was a replica of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, pictured to the right.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is celebrating the holiday season with a gingerbread riverboat in its lobby. The riverboat, named the S.S. Bingle, symbolizes the importance of marine and river commerce to The Crescent City. Its namesake, Mister Bingle, was the holiday mascot for the Maison Blanche department store that was the previous occupant of their building. The S.S. Bingle will be on display through the holiday season.
Jacksonville Gingerbread Extravaganza
Jacksonville, Florida
The Jacksonville Historical Society kicked off their 19th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza on December 4th at the historical Old St. Andrew's Church in Jacksonville, Florida. The event features a holiday shop, a scavenger hunt, a silent auction, and an online contest to vote for the people's choice winner. An array of homemade gingerbread creations is on display until December 22nd. You can reserve tickets online. The display is open for general admission from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 12-4 p.m. Sundays.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Naples, Florida
Check out Santa's Workshop and a gingerbread home for misfit toys at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida. The display is complete with Santa, reindeer, and plenty of icing work fit for Mr. Kringle's sweet tooth.
Four Seasons Hotel, Austin
Austin, Texas
For the past 16 years the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas, has created an incredible gingerbread village every winter. The gingerbread display is part of a fundraising effort benefitting a local non-profit. This year local visitors and business sponsors can purchase the gingerbread houses to benefit the People's Community Clinic, an organization that provides healthcare assistance to the uninsured and other vulnerable community members. This year's village has already raised nearly $10,000. The display is in the hotel's lobby until December 28th.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Greensboro, Georgia
The Ritz Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Resort provides guests with a variety of holiday experiences including a playful Hansel and Gretel-themed gingerbread house curated by Pastry Chef Michael Gaddy displayed in the lobby. Holiday treats and train rides also await hotel guests. Gaddy's 12 x 8 x 5 ft. gingerbread house display took 265 hours to make and includes over 250 lbs. of candy, 500 lbs. of icing and 50 lbs. of chocolate. Now that's some serious candy work!
Gingerbread houses are synonymous with the winter months, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate National Gingerbread Day than finding some of the most spectacular displays in the South. From whole gingerbread villages to riverboat designs, these bakers put major time and talent into their creations. The best part is that some of the displays raise donations for nonprofit organizations in their local areas. Be sure to check out the gingerbread house display that Austin, Texas, has to offer at the Four Seasons. If you're in our nation's capital for the holidays The Willard InterContinental should be on your list to visit. Of course, we can't forget that the National Gingerbread House Competition is hosted at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, and boy, oh-boy do they have a Christmas gingerbread house display to show off down there. These displays are a sweet treat to the eye and a tempting confectionary feat to the belly. If you start to crave gingerbread while scrolling through these displays, check out our Spicy Molasses Gingerbread People recipe.