23rd Gingerbread Comp Announces People's Choice Award Voting Results
Published on January 21, 2026
23rd Annual Gingerbread Competition Announces People's Choice Award Voting Results
Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce this year’s winner of the People’s Choice Award after votes were cast by visitors throughout the 23rd Annual Gingerbread House Display presented by Clearview.
The Frankhauser family from Irwin has received the most votes for their entry entitled “Mrs. Claus’s Candied Conservatory” and is officially the 2025 People’s Choice Award Winner. This entry also earned an Honorable Mention distinction in the Family category of this year’s competition.
Created by first-time entrants Mary and Christen Frankhauser, “Mrs. Claus’s Candied Conservatory” came to be after many years of considering joining the competition. Prior to delivering their finished product in November, the mother and daughter pair spent many weeks baking gingerbread dough, and creating fondant florals, trees, snowflakes and more. They met weekly to bring the entry to life, assembling all of the details with lots of love and care, and creating a new family tradition.
“The best part of the whole process wasn’t just the finished house, it was the time spent together,” say Mary and Christen. “We’re so grateful to everyone who voted and for the opportunity to share our creativity with the community.”
The CitiParks Office of Special Events extends congratulations to the Frankhauser family on their People’s Choice Award honor.
In the competition’s 23rd year, over 300 entries were displayed at the historic City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh from Light Up Night and throughout the holiday season. In addition to the 19 category winners, the display also included recognition of two special awards - the Clearview Choice and Carnegie Museum of Art Curator’s Choice. The online gallery of all entries remains available for virtual visits at pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread.
The Annual Gingerbread House Display and Competition began in 2002 when Downtown Pittsburgh hotels hosted the event to benefit the Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund, and since has attracted many thousands of entries and visitors to PPG Place before moving to the City-County Building in 2019.
This event is presented by the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events in partnership with Clearview Federal Credit Union, and with media support from KDKA Radio, 100.7 Star, Y108, WAMO 107.3, and 93.7 The Fan.
For more information on this event, please email gingerbread@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-255-2493.
Molly Onufer
Press Secretary
molly.onufer@pittsburghpa.gov