Gingerbread House Decorating for Kids in the Bay Area

Gingerbread houses are a holiday tradition for many. This holiday season, you'll find many classes, workshops, and other events where you and your kids can construct and decorate your very own gingerbread house. You can also check out the work of talented gingerbread artisans in the Bay Area, including a 25-foot-tall gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Here's our guide to gingerbread events for families this December.

Note that space is limited for these events and they usually do sell out, so reserve your spots ASAP!

Gingerbread House Decorating in Marin & the Bay Area

• Gingerbread Houses with Santa
  Tiburon Tavern, Tiburon
  Saturday, December 6, 12:30 & 2:30 pm
  Kids can create their own gingerbread house at one of the two sessions during the Tiburon Holiday Festival. Cost: $35 residents, $40 non-residents. Register with the Ranch.
• Gingerbread House Decorating Party
  Paseo, Mill Valley
  Sunday, December 7, 11 am & 1:30 pm
  Join Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce at Paseo: A California Bistro for a fun-filled day of gingerbread house decorating. Get into the holiday spirit with friends and family as we provide all the supplies you need to create your very own gingerbread masterpiece. Complimentary glass of champagne and coffee for adult caregivers. One prebuilt gingerbread house ready to decorate is provided for each registration. $65 plus fees. Register here.
• Gingerbread Build
  Margaret Todd Senior Center, Novato
  Sunday, December 13, 9:30 & 11 am
  Join Novato Parks & Recreation for a festive morning filled with holiday music, hot chocolate, and coffee while you decorate gingerbread houses with your family and friends! Each kit costs $20 and is perfect for a family of four. Only one kit per family is needed, so no need for each person to sign up individually. For groups with more than four people, we recommend purchasing an additional kit for $16. Register here
• Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops
  Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, December 13, 10 am–noon & 1–4 pm,  Sunday, December 14, 1–4 pm
  Assemble and decorate Snoopy’s doghouse out of gingerbread—complete with a marshmallow Snoopy on top! The Saturday morning session is a parent-and-child workshop designed for children ages 3–6 and an adult. Location: 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Deck the Houses and Holiday Fun
  Terra Linda Community Center, San Rafael
  Saturday, December 13, 12:30–3:30 pm
  Join staff for a fun-filled afternoon of decorating your very own gingerbread house! Kids will create their sweet masterpiece using icing, candy, and plenty of imagination. In addition to decorating, participants can enjoy festive holiday-themed games, arts and crafts, and cheerful music to get everyone into the holiday spirit. All supplies are included; light snacks provided. $45 residents, $50 non-residents. Event details

More Bay Area Gingerbread House Fun

• Fairmont Life-Sized Gingerbread House
  Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
  November 22–January 1
  Holiday magic comes to life with the Fairmont's annual life-sized gingerbread house on display through the New Year. With hundreds of bricks of real gingerbread baked by the hotel's pastry team and pounds of candy, the gingerbread house display brings out the kid in everyone. Visitors can also book a dining experience inside house for up to 10 guests or reserve the gingerbread house veranda for semi-private dining for 2 to 4 guests. Event information.
• 9th Annual Gingerbread House Showcase & Competition
  Hotel Petaluma, Petaluma
  November 28–30
  Join Hotel Petaluma for a favorite tradition! Everyone is invited to participate in this festive three-day community event. Enter alone or with family, friends, or coworkers to win fabulous prizes! Help award the People’s Choice award by voting for your favorite gingerbread house! Event information
• 19th Annual Gingerbread House Tour & Competition
  Downtown Sausalito
  December 8–31
  It’s a beloved holiday tradition drawing thousands of visitors and families each year! The 19th Annual Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour & Competition transforms Sausalito into a festive wonderland of dazzling confection-creations, sparkling window displays, and seasonal cheer. This year’s tour features imaginative entries crafted around four vibrant themes — Storybook Tales, Salty Sausalito, Cultural Celebration, and Sea Life Adventures. Visitors help pick the winner too: in recent years more than 1,000 votes have been cast for the People’s Choice Award alone. Event information.