Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort Constructs Giant Gingerbread Hogan for Record Attempt

Pastry chefs at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort are building a life-size traditional Navajo hogan entirely from gingerbread. The completed structure will stand in the resort’s grand lobby for the holiday season and qualify for submission to Guinness World Records as the largest gingerbread hogan.

The dimensions measure approximately 10 feet tall and 18 feet 9 inches in diameter. A hogan represents a central element of Diné (Navajo) culture, architecture and ceremonial practices. These structures traditionally use wooden poles or logs covered in earth, mud or natural materials, with an east-facing entrance tied to sunrise and broader principles of harmony, nature and the four directions.

Cultural Mission and Leadership Perspective

John James, CEO of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, connected the project directly to organizational goals. “Sharing Diné culture is at the heart of our mission at the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise. The gingerbread hogan offers the Twin Arrows team a creative way to celebrate a beloved holiday tradition while inviting others to learn more about the rich history and traditions of the Navajo people,” James said.

Build Details and Display Schedule

Construction demands roughly 10,000 lbs. of flour, 3,000 lbs. of sugar, 2,500 lbs. of molasses, 2,000 lbs. of royal icing, 1,500 lbs. of butter, 500 lbs. of Rice Krispies, 45 lbs. of ground ginger, 35 lbs. of ground cinnamon, 20 lbs. of ground cloves and 1,000 gum balls. The finished hogan will open to visitors with a ceremony on Thursday November 5, 2026 at 10 a.m. and remain on view throughout the season, as reported by Indian Gaming.

Reporting: Indian Gaming

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