Contest rules
A few simple rules keep the contest fair and fun for the whole neighborhood.
Key dates
Entry deadlineDecember 9by 5:00 pm
Judging nightDecember 106:00 to 9:30 pm
Lights on displayDec 13 to 31nightly, 5:00 to 9:30 pm
People's ChoiceDecember 21winner announced
Entering and displays
- Your home must be easy for the public to access and view from December 13 through December 31.
- Lights and decorations must be visible to the public from 5:00 to 9:30 pm.
- Your display must be lit for judging night, Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 to 9:30 pm.
- Professionally decorated homes may not be entered. This contest is for amateur residents to show off their creativity.
- Single-family homes, condos and townhomes are all welcome to enter.
Judging
- Entries are judged on originality, color, lighting, display and curb appeal.
- Judges determine which category best suits your entry, but suggestions are welcome.
- Each home is placed in the one individual category that fits it best and can win one individual category.
- Block parties are judged as a group. Homes in a block party can also be placed in, and win, an individual category.
Categories
There are six individual categories plus Block Party for groups of neighbors.
Merry and BrightBest display of lightsHoliday ExtravaganzaBest display of a themeTraditional ChristmasBest classic Christmas displayAnimation CelebrationBest display of animation and lightsEmbracing Clark GriswoldAnything Christmas, and a lot of itFull of Holiday AirBest display of inflatablesBlock PartyBest display by a group of neighbors
Block parties
- A block party is two or more neighboring homes that coordinate their displays.
- One neighbor fills out the entry form, chooses Block Party and lists every participating address.
- Any household that also wants to compete for an individual category should submit its own separate entry.
Prizes
Category winners$50 gift card + trophy yard sign. One home may win in each of the six individual categories.
Block PartyUp to $100 shared + a yard sign for every home. Split evenly among the homes in the winning block, rounded down to the nearest $10, with at least $10 each. Homes in the block can still win their own category too.
Honorable mentions$20 gift card. Judges may recognize additional standout displays that show great effort, creativity or heart.
Best OverallAn extra title, not a category. The judges name one winning home their favorite display of the year, on top of its category award.
People's ChoiceEvery category winner and honorable mention goes on a public ballot after judging. The winner is announced December 21.
Ready to light it up?
Entries close December 9 at 5:00 pm. Not sure which category fits? Let the judges decide.