SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The City of South Lake Tahoe is pleased to announce the winners of the 2nd annual Lake Tahoe Gingerbread House Competition, a highlight of the 5th annual Festival of Winter Lights. The competition drew talented adult and youth bakers from across the region, showcasing impressive creativity, craftsmanship, and holiday spirit.
After judging by a panel of experts and votes from the public, the following winners were selected:
Adult Division Winners
• 1st Place: Holiday Embers by Grace Harding & Family
• 2nd Place: Christmas at the Boathouse by Irene Sue, Andrew Erwin, Gage Robins, & Lincoln Erwin
• 3rd Place: St. Basil’s Christmas Cathedral by Alec Dolan
People’s Choice Award
• Santa’s Haus by Katelyn Oppegard
Youth Division Winner
• Old St. Nick Had a Farm G-I-N-G-E-R by the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe Middle Schoolers
Following the Festival of Winter Lights, all competition entries are now featured as part of the Lake Tahoe Gingerbread House Crawl, with gingerbread creations displayed at participating local businesses throughout South Lake Tahoe. These businesses are event sponsors, and their participation directly supports the South Tahoe Parks Foundation, helping fund parks, recreation programs, and community events that benefit residents and visitors year-round.
The Gingerbread House Crawl runs now through January 1, encouraging families to visit shops, restaurants, and hotels while enjoying these one-of-a-kind edible works of art. A digital map with the full list of participating businesses and corresponding gingerbread houses is available on the City’s website at:
https://www.cityofslt.gov/GingerbreadCrawl
“The Gingerbread House Competition adds an exciting element to the Festival of Winter Lights,” said City of South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cody Bass. “It’s a wonderful way to support local businesses, celebrate creativity, and build a new holiday tradition for our community.”
The Gingerbread House Competition and Crawl were proudly supported by Visit Lake Tahoe, helping elevate the event and promote the South Shore of Tahoe as a family-friendly holiday destination.
For more information about the Festival of Winter Lights, the Gingerbread House Competition, or the Gingerbread House Crawl, visit cityofslt.gov/FestivalofWinterLights.
- Artemis Lakefront Cafe
- People’s Choice Winner: “Santa’s Haus” by Katelyn Oppegard
- Black Bear Lodge
- “The Sweet Escape A-Frame” by Jessica Evett
- Catalyst Community
- “Tahoe Winter Manor” by Alicia Agnew & Family
- Elevate Wellness Center
- Third Place Winner: “St. Basil’s Christmas Cathedral” by Alec Dolan
- Elevate Wellness Lounge
- “Santa’s Hideout” by Erika Parker & Kortnee Thomas
- Explore Tahoe Visitors Center
- First Place Winner: “Holiday Embers” by Grace Harding & Family
- “Meet Sugar Pine, Lake Tahoe’s Sweetest Gingerbread Bear” by Krystina Bolen
- Forest Suites Resort
- “The Gingerbread Theater” by Rachel Derry
- “Santa’s North Pole Station” by Tom Schemenauer
- Himmel Haus
- “A Fairy Winter Cottage” by Brooke, James, & Cedric Callahan
- South Lake Brewing Co Libation Lodge
- “Santa’s Secret Ski-Up” by Meg Purcell, Julian Washalefsky, & Nick Osbourne
- South Lake Tahoe Airport
- “Picking Up the Holidays” by Kellene Stockwell
- “The Greenhouse” by Kristianne Hannemann
- “Gram’s Snow Globe” by Lisa Collins
- South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena
- “Tahoe Candyland Adventure” by Emily & Olivia Christensen
- “Candy Cane Cathedral” by Ahlin & Sophia Bittencourt
- “The Greenhouse for Melty Souls” by Tai Phaniphon
- South Lake Tahoe Library
- “Old McGinger Had a Farm” by Jeanenette Shippee & Angela Guyette
- South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center
- All Entries from the Little Bakers’ Village
- Little Bakers Award: “Old St. Nick Had a Farm G-I-N-G-E-R” by the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe Middle Schoolers
- South Shore Bikes South Shore Snow
- “Christmas in a Salt Box Wash” by Katie Bell
- The Cocktail Corner
- Second Place Winner: “Christmas at the Boathouse” by Irene Sue, Andrew Erwin, Gage Robins & Lincoln Erwin.
- The Idle Hour
- “Christmas on the Canal” by the Basso Ladies
- Wildwood Makers Market
- “Christmas Time in Emerald City” by Sarah & Sue Hambly