If you’re a fan of festive craft beer, delightful desserts turned into architectural masterpieces and a jolly good time for the whole family, ‘yule’ love this event!
The ninth annual Gingerbread House Challenge dares local businesses, nonprofits and friend groups to form teams and display their holiday spirit and creativity by constructing a gingerbread house based on a central theme.
Thanks to the goodwill of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, this exciting event coincides with the release of their popular Gingerbread Stout (which BeerAdvocate calls ‘freagin’ Christmas in a bottle.”)
Hosted by BHCyp, the young professionals board of the Better Housing Coalition, event attendees vote on their favorite houses to select the $500 People’s Choice Winner, and an expert judging panel will crown the $500 Runner-Up and $1,000 Grand Prize Winner! 100% of proceeds support BHC’s mission of changing lives and transforming communities through high-quality affordable housing.
Event Details
Date & Time: Sunday, November 9, 2025, Noon-5PM
Location:
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA
2025 Theme: Where in the World is Gingy?
Can’t make it to this year’s competition? You can still help your favorite team win the People’s Choice Award by casting a remote vote. Early voting is now open! Vote for your favorite team HERE.
Thank you to our 2025 event sponsors!
2025 event sponsorships are available! Beer. Dessert. Cut-throat holiday competition. What more could you ask for?! Sponsors of the event will be highly visible to a diverse and merry crowd as the weekend of the Hardywood Gingerbread Stout release has historically drawn over 2,000 Richmonders. And that doesn’t include the gingerbread contest and celebrity judge panel.
2025 Gingerbread House Challenge Sponsor Package
Competitors
If you’re looking for a great team building activity, a creative outlet, or just want to compete for some cold, hard cash, form a Gingerbread House Challenge team! Team sign-ups are now open!
*NEW AWARD THIS YEAR* Teams that are in their first 3 years of competing in the Gingerbread House Challenge will automatically qualify for a chance at the ‘Rising Star Award’, which comes with a $250 cash prize! Judges will unanimously select one team for this award. Please review the competition rules form, linked below, for more information.
Click the link below to learn how to sign up your team. Click HERE to claim your subject or see what other teams have selected.
2025 competition rules and entry form
Check out the video below to see what a fun and fantastic team-building opportunity awaits!
Past Winners
2024 – SPEAR Robotics, “Hansel and Gretel”
2023 – UrbanCore Construction, “A Starry Night in Richmond”
2022 – Friends of Fonticello Park: “Fonticello Park – Woodland Heights x Swansboro”
2021 – Deck the Balz – Balzer and Associates, “Virginia is for Lovers of History”
See photos from other past competitions on our Flickr page!
Questions?
Contact Kayla Smith, Director of Community Engagement.