November 21, 2025 – January 11, 2026

Each year the Erie Canal Museum transforms into a festive 1800’s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. In a typical year, we see over 4,000 visitors during the Gingerbread Gallery! 

You can register with our online form here or the PDF form here. 

Creation Rules and Guidelines (PDF of Rules and Guidelines here)

• Erie Canal themed submissions are encouraged, but not required. You can find inspiration and examples of buildings, communities, locks, boats, animals and other Canal themes by visiting gingerbread/inspiration.
• The decision and interpretation of the Creation Rules and Guidelines are at the discretion of the Erie Canal Museum. Our decisions and interpretations are final.
• Gingerbread creations will be judged in four categories: Confectioners, Youth, Senior, General, and Corporate Challenge. Judging is based on overall appeal, originality, creativity and difficulty.
• All gingerbread creations must be made from 100% edible materials. Lights are allowed but will be turned off during the judging period.
• The use of cardboard (with the exception of the base), plastic, glue or any other non-edible materials will disqualify your creation from judging.
• Please ensure that your creation is proportional to its base and does not exceed 24” x 24” (many of the display cases are smaller than 24” x 24”). Creations exceeding the size limit may not be displayed. 

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From November 21 – January 11, admission to the Museum, which includes the Gingerbread Gallery, is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+), $5 for children 3-17, and free for children 2 & under.

Museum Members receive a Family Pass good for admission for up to six people. Join today to receive your Family Pass. You can also join at the Museum when you come to visit the Gingerbread Gallery.

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Upcoming Dates

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The Erie Canal Museum’s annual Gingerbread Gallery started in 1986 as a one-day gingerbread auction. Its popularity has increased over the years, and it is now a six-week long event featuring dozens of gingerbread creations made by local bakers of all ages! Everyone is invited to participate in the Gingerbread Gallery.

From the Fall 1987 Erie Canal Museum Canal Packet Newsletter:

“On December 13, 1986, over 700 visitors toured the Weighlock Building to view the Museum Gingerbread Gallery and enjoy a day full of holiday entertainment. Choruses, carolers, and choirs of bells provided a musical background for visitors strolling down our nostalgic Gingerbread Lane, lined with storefronts right out of the 1800’s.

“Through the magic of theater set design the Museum’s second floor exhibition gallery became a canal town street complete with toy, curio, floral, and baked goods shops, all trimmed for the holidays. Proudly displayed in the window of each shop was a gingerbread work of art – a house, a train, and gingerbread models of local historic buildings – created by Syracuse’s finest bakers.”