Volunteers Needed!
We rely on a huge number of volunteers to make this festival possible year after year.
Seeking Musicians for the Dough-Re-Mi-Lounge!
Part of the magic of this festival every year is the community aspect. We welcome any and all SMALL live chamber groups to play holiday music for 30-60 minutes. All ages welcome! Please note that we do not have funds to pay performers. Email us with the following information:
- Your name or name of group (and name of performers if you’d like)
- Number of performers and any requirements you may have
- When exactly you would like to play during festival hours, and a secondary backup time.
- No more than one paragraph bio about your group and the music you play
- Your website, social media links, etc. (if applicable)
- A picture for publicity!
Decor Wish List
Looking for a variety of items for donation – see our Wish List page.
Santa in Toyland
We are hoping to have visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus or other holiday figures this year! Please contact us to book a visit! Please note that we have an extremely limited budget to pay for visits.
Festival Sponsorships
The Gingerbread House Festival is a major fundraiser for our nonprofit organization, The Watershed History Collective (formerly known as the “Friends”), enabling artistic, cultural and educational programming. Every year more than 6,000 visitors gaze on our display of gingerbread masterpieces created by both professional and amateur bakers. This year the festival runs from November 28 – December 14, 2025 and also features a specialty gift shop. Financial sponsorships are vital to making this event a success.
Our festival garners extensive media coverage and over the years, we have been covered on all four local TV stations, WNPR radio, Yankee, Connecticut, Hartford, AAA and Go Local magazines, as well as the Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer newspapers. We expect media coverage to be larger than ever this year, though we can’t say why just yet!
If you are willing to become a sponsor at any level, donations can be made on our website or via mail.  Feel free to contact us with any additional questions, and to send logos. Thank you for your support!
Sponsorship Levels:
$1,000 – Headline Sponsor (website, social media, visit from Gingy, picture with Gingy at festival, signage at festival, press releases, media mentions and more)
$500 – Gift Wrapper: Decor Sponsor (website, social media, visit from Gingy, picture with Gingy at festival, signage at festival)
$250 – Gingy’s Friends (website, social media, visit from Gingy, picture with Gingy at festival)
$100 – Toy Maker: Shop Sponsor (website, signage in shop, Festival window cling for your location)
$50 – Gift Wrapper: Raffle Sponsor (website, signage at raffle table)