November 20, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Registration is now open for the 41st Annual Gingerbread Galley! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of a Syracuse tradition.
Registration will close on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 or when we get 50 registrations, whichever occurs first. Enter by clicking the Entry Form button below or returning the PDF form to the Museum via mail, fax, or email.
Creation Rules and Guidelines (see a full list of Gingerbread Information and Rules 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 eriecanalmuseum.org/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 five 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. We love tall creations for the storefront windows.
From November 20 – January 10, 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.
Upcoming Dates
Call for Bakers Announced: Thursday, September 3
Baker Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 4 (or after 50 registrations)
Gingerbread Drop Off: Monday, November 9 – Sunday, November 15
Opening Day: Friday, November 20
Grand Opening: Friday, November 27 (with music from Merry Mischief from 4 – 6 PM)
Judged Winners Announced: Week of Monday, December 14
People’s Choice Announced: Monday, January 4
Closing Day: Sunday, January 10
Gingerbread Pick Up: Wednesday, January 13 – Sunday, January 17
The Erie Canal Museum’s annual Gingerbread Gallery started as a one-day gingerbread event. Its popularity has increased over the years, and it is now a seven-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.”