Call for Bakers! GingerbreadNYC

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off (2026-27)

The Museum of the City of New York is thrilled to invite professional and amateur bakers from across the city to apply for entry to Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off, our fifth annual celebration of communities and neighborhoods in each of the five boroughs—as represented in gingerbread.

Selected bakers will be invited to create a gingerbread display on the theme of “Iconic New York”—distinctive buildings, places, or things that represent their neighborhood, community, or borough. A panel of prominent New York City-based bakers, curators, and restaurant owners will judge the final designs and award prizes in a variety of categories. 

How It Works

A selection of professional and amateur bakers from each borough will be chosen to create a gingerbread display. Each bakery/baker selected will receive a $500 stipend toward materials and supplies. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, and the displays will receive a Press Preview on Monday, November 2, 2026, and will be on view to the public from Friday, November 6, 2026, through Monday, January 20, 2027.  

For additional information, please see the Rules and Regulations. 

Key Dates 

Sun, Sep 20 – Deadline to enter 
Fri, Sep 25 – Bakers will be informed of selection 
Fri, Oct 2 – Deadline for bakers to submit designs with accurate dimensions for approval
Fri, Oct 9 – Bakers will receive design approval/feedback (if not sooner) 
Thu, Oct 22 – Bakers install gingerbread displays 
Fri, Oct 23 – Bakers install gingerbread displays 
Sat, Oct 24 – Bakers install gingerbread displays
Sun, Oct 25 – Bakers install gingerbread displays 
Thu, Oct 29 thru Fri, Oct 30 – Final judging 
Mon, Nov 2 – Press preview / Awards presentation
Fri, Nov 6 – Opens to the public 
Mon, Jan. 20, 2027 – Last day on view to the public 

Judges

The judges for 2026-27 will be announced soon.

Gingerbread NYC 2025

Here's a 'taste' of how last year's competition came together...

For any additional questions, please contact us.