Hundreds of edible works of art go on display at the Omni Grove Park Inn every holiday season. When non-guests can visit, what parking costs and how to time your trip.
Every holiday season, the halls of the Omni Grove Park Inn fill with houses, castles and whole villages made of gingerbread, icing and candy. They're the entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition, and the public display is one of Asheville's favorite holiday outings. Viewing is free, but there are rules about when you can visit, so plan ahead.
What It Is
The competition began in 1992 at the Omni Grove Park Inn, and the 2026 contest is the 34th. Over the years it has drawn entries from 26 states and more than 20,000 visitors a year. Professional chefs, amateur bakers, architects and families all compete, turning gingerbread into everything from whimsical cottages to elaborate architectural pieces. Every entry has to be at least 75 percent gingerbread, and there are four age categories: Adult, Teen, Youth and Child. Competitors vie for more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.
The judging panel changes from year to year. For 2026, head judge John Cook, owner of Marble & Steel Chocolates in Asheville, is joined by two new judges: pastry chef and author Sasha Aleksandra Nary and cookie artist Rabiha Sami from Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge."
When It Happens
Entries are judged in mid-November, and the public display opens the next day and stays up into early January. In 2026, judging and the awards ceremony are on Monday, November 16 (for contestants and their families only), and the display is open from Tuesday, November 17 through Sunday, January 3, 2027. The dates box at the top of this page shows the current or next display.
Where It Is
The entries are displayed throughout the Omni Grove Park Inn resort in Asheville.
When Non-Guests Can Visit
This is the part to get right. Viewing is free, but because the resort fills up during the holidays, access for non-guests is limited. The 2026 schedule:
- Monday through Thursday: visit any time during regular resort hours, parking permitting.
- Sunday: after 6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: reserved for registered resort guests and people with confirmed dining reservations.
- Closed to the public: holidays and November 26, December 6, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31, and January 1.
Before you go, check the resort's gingerbread page for changes or call the resort at (800) 438-5800.
Parking
Parking is the one cost: there's no free parking on the property during the fall and holiday season. From October 1, 2026 to January 3, 2027, self-parking is $35 and valet is $45. Buses, vans and other oversized vehicles need an advance parking reservation. The resort's Holiday Parking Partners Program, started in 2013, gives part of its holiday parking proceeds to local nonprofits and has contributed more than $1.4 million so far.
Tips
- Go on a weekday morning. It's the easiest time to get in.
- Check the closed dates. The display is closed to the public December 23 to 26 and on several other days, so plan around them.
- Make a reservation if you want a weekend visit. On Fridays and Saturdays, a confirmed dining reservation is one of the ways to get in.
- Carpool. Parking is charged per car, so bring the whole family in one vehicle.
- Look for the kids' entries. The Child and Youth categories are some of the most fun to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I see the gingerbread houses?
From mid-November into early January. Non-guests can typically visit Monday through Thursday and after 6 p.m. on Sundays. Check the dates box at the top of this page for the next display.
Does it cost anything to see the display?
Viewing is free, but parking for the 2026 season is $35 to self-park or $45 for valet.
Can I visit on a Saturday?
Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for resort guests and people with confirmed dining reservations.
How long has the competition been running?
Since 1992. The 2026 competition is the 34th.
Can anyone enter?
Yes. Professionals and amateurs compete in Adult, Teen, Youth and Child categories, and each entry must be at least 75 percent gingerbread. Entry forms are due in early November (November 9 in 2026).
For more holiday ideas, see our winter in Asheville guide.
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