Santa Clara to Host Halloween Home Decorating Contest
Residents have until Monday to submit entries for a chance to win one of eight awards for their holiday displays.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Interior Decorating
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Santa Clara residents have until 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, to submit their entries for the annual city Halloween Home Decorating Contest. The Cultural Commission will select eight winners, with final results to be announced on Friday.
Why it matters
The contest rewards residential creativity and community engagement, offering a way for local homeowners to showcase their holiday spirit. Previous winners are prohibited from claiming the same award in back-to-back years, keeping the competition fresh for participants.
The contest awards one Most Innovative title, one Best Group title, and one winner from each of the 6 city districts. Applicants must provide a written explanation of no more than four sentences to accompany their display.
The players
Santa Clara Cultural Commission
A city-appointed body that oversees local arts and community holiday events.
The details
To participate, residents must complete an online entry form detailing their home display. The Santa Clara Cultural Commission evaluates entries based on visibility, interactivity, creativity, and the overall theme of the decorations. Judges perform in-person visits to assess each property before selecting the final winners.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Entry deadline at 5 p.m.
October 30, 2026: Announcement of contest winners.
The Home Front
This contest follows the established pattern of municipal seasonal beautification programs common in suburban residential areas. Such initiatives are frequently used by local governments to promote community cohesion during peak holiday periods.
Check that your display is fully visible and interactive before Monday's deadline to ensure judges can properly evaluate your theme. If you won an award in last year's competition, remember that you are ineligible to win the same category again this year.
The takeaway
To participate, submit your online entry form by the deadline and focus your four-sentence description on your display's interactivity. You can catch the announcement of the eight contest winners on the Cultural Commission's Facebook and Instagram pages this Friday.
Further reading
Find more inspiration for your next seasonal display on the Interior Decorating page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Bay Area.
Live Poll
Do you believe local government-run holiday decorating contests help strengthen your community's neighborhood spirit?
