Hometown for the Holidays-Gingerbread House Contest 2023

Event Sponsors

Celebrating the joyful holiday season on Stillwater, Minnesota's Historic Mainstreet!

Take a stroll through the streets of Stillwater and be taken to a picturesque Hallmark movie "Christmas Village" right here in the Birthplace of Minnesota! Mainstreet Stillwater and the St. Croix Riverfront will be alive with holiday spirit, featuring seasonal lights, decorations, and festive themed events! Experience the holidays of old while making new memories.

Downtown Stillwater's independently owned boutiques, shops and restaurants WELCOME YOU to Hometown for the Holidays - the first 3 weekends in December! Find joy in shopping and dining during the holiday season with family friendly events happening each weekend, CLICK HERE for more details!

Friday, December 8

This weekend features sugar & spice and everything nice!

6:30-8:30 p.m - Enjoy holiday lights, sights & the sounds of Victorian Carolers strolling down mainstreet Stillwater.

Saturday, December 9 - Gingerbread House Building Contest - 10:00 a.m. until NOON at Water Street Inn

10:00 a.m.- NOON - The community is invited to pull out their rolling pins, grab a frosting bag and build gingerbread houses for submission in our Gingerbread Building Contest! The contest is open to all ages and skill levels! $20 application fee to participate and you will receive a $20 ChamberBucks certificate onsite at the event, as a Thank You! ChamberBucks can be used at over 90 local businesses and don't expire!
10:00 a.m. - Bring your ginger bread house creation fully assembled to the Water Street Inn.

10:00 a.m. until Noon - View and Vote on creative home made gingerbread houses in the ballroom at Water Street Inn; Enjoy a holiday movie and festive fun!
Watch our local City councils build their gingerbread houses on site--they are in it to win it!

DETAILS about the Gingerbread Building Contest HERE!

REGISTER HERE for the Gingerbread Building Contest!

THANK YOU to our Supporting Sponsor for the Gingerbread Building Contest:

Saturday, December 9

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Enjoy holiday lights, sights & the sounds of Victorian Carolers strolling down mainstreet Stillwater.

2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - Horse-drawn Wagonette Carriage - FREE to ride!

Additional Events happening around town on this weekend:
Downtown Stillwater Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, December 9th, 10-11 am at Lowell Park Pavillion
FREE - (no pre-registration required)
Join us in singing some songs as we go on a scavenger hunt and see the gingerbread houses that are part of the Gingerbread Building Contest through the Hometown for the Holidays. Come dressed to be outside. ALL families with children ages 5 and under are welcome! This event is hosted in partnership with Stillwater Early Childhood Family Education and the Greater Stillwater Chamber Foundation, Hometown for the Holidays Steering Committee.