Light Up Wheaton Decorating Contest 2025 Registration

Let's get festive! The City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Park District are proud to present the 6th annual Light Up Wheaton decorating contest.

All Wheaton residents, businesses, neighborhoods/streets, houses of worship, and community organizations are invited to participate in this free, friendly competition—all themes and holidays welcome! Showcase your fun, creative, out-of-the-box decorating ideas in what has quickly become one of Wheaton's favorite holiday traditions. Awards will be given in three categories: Most Creative, People's Choice, and Mayor's Choice.

Registration closes December 11. All registered participants must submit a photo of their entry (along with address) by 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, to be considered for awards. Photos and addresses will be shared on the City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District Facebook pages for residents looking to drive by and enjoy the decorations in person!

Judging will take place from December 12-17. For Most Creative and Mayor's Choice categories, judges will observe houses from 6-9 p.m. daily during this time. Photos of entries shared on the City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District Facebook pages will be voted on by the public for the People's Choice award.

Please note: The address of all entries will be posted on the City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park Districts websites and Facebook pages so residents can see your creative work in person.

Winners will be announced Thursday, December 18, via social media and email. All winners will receive a commemorative prize and $100 in local gift cards.

To be eligible, participants must be located within Wheaton city limits and/or Wheaton Park District boundaries as well as decorate their homes/businesses themselves (homes/businesses that are professionally decorated can be registered but will not be eligible to win). To recognize the efforts of new participants, winners from 2024 are not eligible to receive awards in 2025, but they are still encouraged to participate!

Thank you for helping us Brighten the Season Together!

 

Questions? Contact us at lcali@wheatonparks.org.

LIGHT UP WHEATON GUIDELINES & WAIVER

By registering for Light Up Wheaton, I have read and fully understand the following guidelines:

• Participants must be located within Wheaton city limits and/or Wheaton Park District boundaries.
• Participants agree to have their address and photos of their submission posted on the City of Wheaton and Wheaton Park District Facebook pages for voting. Participant agrees there will be no compensation of any kind for said posting or publication.
• In order to recognize new participants, winners from 2024 are not eligible to win in 2025 but are still encouraged to register and participate!
• Entry is free, no cost or fees apply.
• Registration and photo submission must be completed by 12:00P on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
• Contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior. Judging will be done from outside the residence only.
• Judging will be based on “curb appeal” as viewed from the street only. Therefore only those decorations located on the street side of the property will be judged (corner lots will be judged from both streets). Judges will not enter the property to view back or side yards.
• To be eligible, participants must decorate their homes/businesses themselves. Homes/businesses professionally decorated can be registered but will not be eligible to win.
• Judging will take place December 12-17. Participating homes wishing to be judged should have their lights on each evening from at least 6-9P for judging.
• Three categories will be awarded: Most Creative, People's Choice Award and Mayor's Choice Award. Winners will receive a commemorative prize and $100 in local gift cards
• Award winners will be announced via social media and by email on Thursday, December 18.
• Be creative, be festive and most importantly, HAVE FUN!