Christmastime in Asheville is magical. Every year, as part of our winter traditions, Tom and I attend The Omni Grove Park Inn’s Annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Discover all that you need to know, including where to eat and shop. Beat the crowds, meet their famous ghost, and enjoy seasonal beverages by the blazing fireplaces. Did I mention breathtaking sunsets, too?
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Since moving here in 2019, our family has been attending (and loving) the Grove Park Inn’s gingerbread display, The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights event, and Christmas at historic Biltmore Estate. All photos are our own. 💙 Christine
2025 Must-Know Gingerbread Display Information
If you are in a hurry, find dates, parking info, and more. Then, keep reading to discover our favorite gingerbread house displays and restaurants around The Omni Grove Park Inn. Visiting the Grove makes for a great rainy, icy, and snowy day activity. Along with Biltmore Estate, The Omni Grove Park Inn is one of the city’s top attractions.
5 Top Things To Do At The National Gingerbread House Competition
This is how Tom and I typically spend a day at The Omni Grove Park Inn to get our money’s worth for that hefty parking fee.
1. See the gingerbread house displays
A holiday tradition in Asheville for over 30+ years, the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn are a “must” Asheville activity. The event kicks off with a nationally renowned competition amongst gingerbread makers, young and old, competing in categories for cash prizes.
These structures aren’t your average gingerbread houses, either; find violin, dragon, and castle gingerbread creations along with iconic characters, stories, and more. Each innovative gingerbread display has to consist of at least 75% gingerbread. We’ve never seen anything like it.
Where To Find The Displays
You’ll find three main areas for the displays: to the left of Edison (in the hallway), the winner/display entrance in front of The Marketplace, which is to the right of the lobby, and down the elevator/stairs at Level 7.
Grand Prize Winners Across The Years & Social Media Viewing
These are just a few previous winners. In addition, The Grove Park Inn’s “12 Days of Gingerbread” virtually showcases the top 12 finalists on Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) from December 1 to 12, 2025.
2. Dine on the property
While there are multiple on-site restaurants, we prefer Edison – American and regional cuisine – for its gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain views. We bring all of our out-of-town guests here for the “wow” factor. Make advanced reservations on OpenTable.
More About Grove Park Inn Dining
✨ Insider Tip: The Great Hall Bar is perfect for lighter snacks, charcuterie, and cocktails. If it is nice outside, head to the second, lower-level patio seating. Sunset Terrace, their fancier rooftop dining option, is located before you walk down the stairs outside. It’s also good with richer food (treat yourself!).
You might also enjoy our list of favorite Asheville restaurants, featuring a variety of cuisines across budgets.
3. Grab coffee or drinks by the fire
Be sure to visit the Great Gingerbread House, which serves up non-alcoholic and boozy hot chocolate. The structure, a life-sized model of the Grove, takes 25+ days to complete and is made up of 64 pounds of egg whites and 400 pounds of powdered sugar, along with many other traditional baking items.
Our Favorite Winter Grove Park Inn Libations
☕️ Since Tom and I are both lactose-intolerant – and awaiting vegan hot cocoa options (cough, cough) – we order craft cocktails and wine from The Great Hall Bar or coffee at The Omni’s Marketplace. Then, we hunker down in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplaces in the lobby.
🥃 Edison also serves delicious seasonally flavored drinks, such as gingerbread beer in collaboration with Highland Brewing (one of the best and oldest area breweries) and s’mores-like Old Fashioneds…
4. Shop for gifts and local treats
While in The Marketplace, dip into The Pink Pig and Emporium 1913 for gifts, apparel, local snacks, regional beverages, and more. We own a s’mores ornament from The Pink Pig as well as Asheville shirts with mountains and bears from its neighboring shop.
We also enjoy the Sammons Wing Promenade stores. We’ve purchased hiking ornaments and even Patagonia winter coats at the N.O.C. Asheville Basecamp. Gallery of the Mountains promises handcrafted jewelry and home decor from local artists.
5. Catch a Blue Ridge Mountain sunset
Before moving to Asheville, everyone told us we had to see a famous Grove Park Inn sunset. The sunsets are incredible, especially in October through December.
Whether dining at Edison, Sunset Terrace, or Blue Ridge, or heading outside to the patio, be sure to watch the sunset over Downtown Asheville, Mount Pisgah, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s one of the most romantic things to do in the city, too.
Audience, Accessibility, and Parking
The entire family will enjoy the Grove Park Inn gingerbread houses, along with couples, solo travelers, and older visitors. We see people plan their family reunions and getaways here, including romantic overnights and holiday getaways. The Grove Park Inn isn’t a bad classy Bachelor/Bachelorette option, too.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is accessible with large hallways, elevators, and more. Service dogs and registered resort dogs (with limitations) are welcome on the property.
When We Recommend Viewing The Gingerbread Displays
The best time to visit the National Gingerbread House Competition is on a weekday morning, either when public viewing opens in November or immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday. The event gets much busier around Christmas week, and if the hotel hits parking and visitor capacity, they may turn you away.
✨ Note There Are Restricted Viewing Times (Please double-check this on their website): Guests not staying at The Grove Park Inn may view the display after 6:00 PM on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding the following dates: November 27, December 7, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and January 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for registered resort guests and those who have confirmed dining reservations.
👻 Fun Bonus Facts About The Omni Grove Park Inn
A destination for the wealthy to relax and recover in the clean mountain air, The Grove Park Inn opened on July 12, 1913. With the help of Fred Seely, Edwin Wiley Grove – known for Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic, quinine to prevent malaria – the two created what is today Asheville’s finest historic resort.
Former U.S. Presidents like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower stayed here as well as famous writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tiger Woods, The Beatles, and Thomas Edison are just a few more notable names.
👻 While here, spy the Pink Lady (and her dress), the Grove Park Inn’s resident ghost. You might even consider a guided Downtown Asheville ghost tour or a popular ebike tour that stops at the Grove Park Inn.
A few interesting articles on the history of the Grove Park Inn include:
- “The Most Famous Hotel In North Carolina Is Also One Of The Most Historic Places You’ll Ever Sleep” on Only In Your State
- “Did You Know They Stayed at an Omni?” on The Omni Hotels & Resorts Blog
- “The Grove Park Inn and Its Host of Prominent Guests” on the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Before You Go, Find Even More Holiday Spirit Across Asheville
Just a few more articles to help you plan your holidays in Asheville:
🎅🏼 See More Sparkling Holiday Light Displays
🥾 Our Top WNC Winter Hikes
🎄 Where To Get Your Christmas Tree