The Gingerbread House Festival 2026
The UK's first national Gingerbread House Festival comes to Low Wood Bay on Windermere from 20 to 22 November 2026, with competition displays, judging, workshops, Christmas activities and major prizes.
Friday 20 November 202616:00–21:00Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa →
AgeAll ages
FormatThree-day national gingerbread competition, exhibition and Christmas festival
OrganiserGrasmere Gingerbread and Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
Choose a performance
3 upcoming
Friday launch and Low Wood Bay Christmas lights switch-on
Visitor admission details to be confirmed; lights switch-on at 7.30pm
Saturday judging day, exhibition, workshops and demonstrations
Visitor admission details to be confirmed
Sunday exhibition with winning entries on display
Visitor admission details to be confirmed
Worth It
Saturday is the strongest day for seeing competition entries and judging activity; Friday is best for the Christmas lights atmosphere. Check visitor admission and parking closer to the event.
The Gingerbread House Festival takes place at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026.
The inaugural national event is a collaboration between Low Wood Bay and Grasmere Gingerbread and will raise money for Shelter.
Friday 20 November
Open 4pm to 9pm. Friday combines the festival launch with Low Wood Bay's Christmas lights switch-on. The lights are due to be switched on at 7.30pm, with Father Christmas arriving by boat.
Saturday 21 November
Open 12pm to 8pm. Saturday is the main judging day, with entries on display and the winning exhibit announced during the day. Workshops, demonstrations, food stalls and seasonal activity are also planned.
Sunday 22 November
Open 10am to 5pm, with the winning creations on display.
Prizes
The prize package is worth more than £10,000. Announced prizes include £1,000 cash awards in some categories, school prizes, VIP experiences, hotel stays, paddleboarding, afternoon tea, cookery vouchers and Lego vouchers.
The overall winner receives the Gingerbread House Trophy, the title National Gingerbread House of the Year 2026 and £250 cash.
Visitor admission
The published programme gives public opening times but the material checked by Cumbria Guru does not clearly state a single festival-wide visitor admission price. Check the live event page before travelling.
Parking and travel
Low Wood Bay is on the A591 between Windermere and Ambleside. Check final festival parking arrangements closer to November because they may differ from an ordinary hotel visit.
Accessibility
The festival is hosted within the Low Wood Bay event complex. Contact the venue before travelling if a specific access adjustment is essential.
Weather plan
Most festival activity is indoors or around the resort, but Friday's lights switch-on and Father Christmas boat arrival are weather dependent.
Places to stay nearby
Read more about this event
Gingerbread House Festival Windermere 2026: Dates, Prizes, Programme & Visitor Guide
Plan the Gingerbread House Festival at Low Wood Bay from 20 to 22 November 2026, with daily times, judging, Christmas lights, prize details and travel advice.