Eleven Productions created a gingerbread rendition of the Granada Theater and neighboring businesses Lucia Beer Garden and Grill and Einstein Bros. Bagels for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Gingerbread House Auction on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Abe & Jake's Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

New this year, Lawrence’s annual Gingerbread Festival & Auction will be spread out over two weekends instead of just one. The event features elaborate locally handcrafted gingerbread houses and raises money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County. All events take place at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

The first weekend — planned to coincide with the downtown Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade on Dec. 2 — features ample opportunity for residents of all ages to view the gingerbread houses and enjoy food, drink, kids’ activities, live music and shopping opportunities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. The Craft Collective handmade market featuring dozens of vendors will be set up throughout the weekend. A pop-up brunch by the Levee Cafe is planned for Saturday morning. While the brunch is an additional cost, everything else is included with a suggested donation of $5 for entry.

The second weekend features the adults-only gingerbread house auction and hors d’oeuvres with a VIP “Bourbon & Brews” bourbon tasting event beforehand, all beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8. Tickets are $50, or $100 including the bourbon tasting and VIP access. Whole-table reservations also are available.

“The idea is that the community and everyone can come and view the houses. Hopefully, some people will come back to the auction,” said Mark Gordy, area manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County. Of the gingerbread houses themselves — especially those of auction-quality — he said, “They’re incredible.”

Want to build a gingerbread house for the competition? The deadline is Nov. 30. There are Graham-Cracker Divisions for children ages 5 through 16, and the Gingerbread Division for ages 15 and older. The top 15 gingerbread houses will be entered into the live auction, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in all divisions.

For more information, contest entry criteria or to purchase tickets for the auction, go online to gingerbreadauction.com.