Welcome to SCI’s Annual

Gingerbread House Competition!

Step into the magic of the season at our Gingerbread House Competition, a festive holiday event open to the public! Come marvel at incredible gingerbread creations competing across five divisions, cheer for your favorites, and celebrate the winners as prizes are awarded for the top entries.

All aboard! This year’s Gingerbread House Competition theme is Polar Express. Gather your team and bring the magic, wonder, and holiday spirit of this beloved classic to life.

Need inspiration? Think snowy train stations, the iconic steam locomotive, a winter wonderland journey, hot chocolate, the North Pole, Santa’s workshop, golden tickets, and the famous silver bell. We can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you!

Bring the whole family and enjoy a day filled with holiday fun, including a trip to the North Pole for a photo with Santa, holiday bingo games, cookie decorating, festive snacks, and more. Whether you’re entering a gingerbread masterpiece or simply joining in the festivities, you’ll find plenty of holiday cheer waiting for you at the Studer Community Institute building. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!

Saturday, December 12, 2026 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Free to the public

SCI Building | 220 W. Garden Street | Pensacola, FL | 32502

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Why do we do this?

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all people in the diverse communities we serve.

The Gingerbread House Competition is more than a holiday tradition; it is an investment in our community’s youngest learners. Proceeds from this event will help support our Building Brains program, which is grounded in a powerful truth: 85 percent of the human brain develops in the first three years of life. During this critical window, the foundation for learning, language, and lifelong success is formed. Building Brains works to equip parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to nurture healthy brain development from the very beginning, helping them thrive in their role as their child’s first teacher and giving more children in our community the opportunity to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

This event also provides a valuable community experience by bringing families together in a fun, engaging environment that encourages creativity, learning, and connection. By participating, attendees not only create lasting holiday memories but also help ensure that more children in our community enter kindergarten ready to learn, grow, and succeed.

Public gingerbread house competition across five divisions with People's Choice voting; judges announce winners at 12:30 PM. 2026 theme is Polar Express. Free to attend (family activities: photo with Santa, holiday bingo, cookie decorating); competition entry fees $0-$50 by division; $6,000 total prize pool.

Imported from Claude research tracker.

1. Dates: Saturday, December 12, 2026
2. Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (winners announced 12:30 PM)
3. Address: SCI Building, 220 W. Garden Street, Pensacola, FL 32502