First Annual Great Hillcrest Build-Off: Gingerbread House Contest!

Hillcrest!… are you ready to build?

Join us at Negociant Winery for the First Annual Great Hillcrest Build-Off, a festive gingerbread house contest where creativity meets holiday spirit — and the best house wins amazing prizes. Bring your favorite build crew (up to 3 people!), sip some wine, and go head-to-head with your neighbors in a 90-minute decorating showdown.

This is your chance to claim local glory, earn serious bragging rights, and kick off what we hope becomes a Hillcrest holiday tradition for years to come!.

Tickets cover all building materials.

• $15 — Solo Builder
• $20 — 2-Person Team
• $30 — 3-Person Team

🍷 wine and snacks will be available for purchase during the event.
Max 3 people per team. Please register under one team name.

Each team receives:

• 1 gingerbread house kit per team
• All on-site building tools and supplies
• Entry into the official Build-Off contest

✨ Want extra candy?
Additional candy cups will be available for $5 each at the event.

And yes — bringing your own over-the-top decorations is highly encouraged. The wildest ideas usually win.

• 90 minutes to build + decorate
• Final 30 minutes for judging + People’s Choice voting
• Teams present finished houses for scoring

Expect holiday music, big energy, and plenty of friendly rivalry.

Prizes for:
🥇 1st Place
🥈 2nd Place
🥉 3rd Place

Plus local bragging rights for the rest of the season. 😄

Houses will be scored on:

• Creativity & Theme
• Craftsmanship / Structure
• Overall Wow Factor
• Holiday Spirit

A People’s Choice vote will also take place during judging.

2:45 PM – Check-in + grab a drink if you’d like
3:00 PM – Rules + Build Off Begins! (90 minutes!)
5:00 PM – Winners announced + photos

• 21+ event
• Max 3 people per team
• Candy is included in your kit ; extra cups of candy are $5 each
• Houses are yours to take home after judging!
• Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to get settled

Negociant Winery – Hillcrest Urban Winery
1263 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Pick your team size, bring your best candy arsenal, and come make history at the First Annual Great Hillcrest Build-Off.

Spots are limited — sign up now and let the Build-Off begin! 🍷🏠✨

Also check out other Contests in San Diego.