Salem Museum Hosts Gingerbread House Competition

The Salem Museum will once again host the annual gingerbread house competition this holiday season.


The Gingerbread Festival is a popular annual Roanoke Valley holiday tradition!

December 3rd, 10 AM to 2 PM

Beat the crowds! Preview the Gingerbread creations starting November 29

The family-friendly event is sponsored by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. The Festival features a Gingerbread House Competition at the Salem Museum, and holiday vendors, marshmallow roast, gingerbread cookie decorating, and entertainment in Longwood Park. Don’t forget visits with Santa! Admission is free.

For more information: https://s-rcchamber.org/gingerbread-festival/

Come to the Salem Museum to see amazing, incredible, and down-right cute Gingerbread creations by bakers of all ages. Or, submit your own!

Gingerbread House Competition Rules

  • Your creation doesn’t have to be a house.
  • There are categories for amateur bakers of all ages, plus a category for professional chefs. Prizes will be awarded in every category, as well as a People’s Choice Award.
  • Each entry must be constructed of edible materials ONLY. Creations that include non-edible construction materials will NOT be eligible for awards.
  • For a sturdy dough recipe, google “gingerbread structural dough recipe”  such as https://www.seriouseats.com/construction-gingerbread-recipe. You can skip the vanilla and spices, and substitute Crisco for the butter to make the project more economical.
  • Base cannot be larger than 20” x 20”
  • Entries must be delivered to the Salem Museum on November 22-23 or 25-26 between 10 am and 4 pm. Entries may be picked up after 2pm on December 3, and must be picked up by December 10. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Salem Museum is not responsible for collapses or other damage to the gingerbread creations.

About the Salem Museum & Historical Society

The Salem Museum & Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization preserving and celebrating the history of Salem, Virginia, which was founded in 1802. The Salem Museum is located next to Longwood Park in the historic 1845 Williams-Brown House at 801 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Museum admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The Museum has ample free parking. 540-389-6760. salemmuseum.org 

Author

You Might Also Like:

Botetourt Center at Greenfield

Google Advances Data Center Campus Project at Botetourt Center at Greenfield

In collaboration with Google, Botetourt County today announced progress on Google’s planned data center campus at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, marking a transformative investment in the County’s economic future while reinforcing its commitment to responsible development.
Kiwanis Club of Roanoke logo

Kiwanis Club of Roanoke Batter Up for the Community

Join us for the largest pancake breakfast in the Roanoke Valley and help support our community! 
Appointed as the department’s first Assistant Chief of EMS, Health & Safety, Captain Jonathan Rodgers brings more than a decade of service and leadership to this new role.

Botetourt County Fire & EMS New Assistant Chief Announced

The Department of Fire & EMS is excited to announce its first Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health & Safety. Captain Jonathan Rodgers, a member of the department since 2014, has been selected to fulfill this new command staff role within the organization.
Sabrina Rose-Smith ’00

Sabrina Rose-Smith ’00 to Serve as 2026 Commencement Speaker for Hollins University

Hollins alumna, trustee, and nationally recognized attorney Sabrina Rose-Smith ’00 will deliver the keynote address at Hollins University’s 184th Commencement ceremony, to be held Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Berglund Center Coliseum in Roanoke, Virginia.
Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges

Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges Announces Record-Breaking 2026 Season

Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges has officially unveiled approximately 50% of its 2026 concert and festival season, featuring one of its most dynamic and high-volume lineups to date.