Home Decorating Contests

Feedback

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Halloween Home Decorating Contest!

All decorated homes throughout the city can be viewed on this Google Map.

District 1: 1044 Garrity Way
District 2: 2141 Cabrillo Ave.
District 3: 2339 Fordham Drive
District 4: 875 Pepper Tree Lane
District 5: 427 Jefferson St.
District 6: 109 Harold Ave.
Most Innovative: 221 Douglane Ave.
Best Group: 2159 Second St. and 2169 Second St.

Contest Rules

Open to residents of the City of Santa Clara.
The contest is only for residences and judging is based on decorations of the exterior only.
To be considered for voting: you must complete the online entry form and submit 2-3 photos via email to CulturalCommission@SantaClaraCA.gov.
- Be sure to include the contestant's name and address with the photos.
Incomplete submissions will be not considered.
Select members of the Cultural Commission will vote for the eight winners.
Judging criteria: 5 categories, each worth 5 points:
- Explanation of "What my decorations mean to me, my family, and/ or my household". Maximum of 4 sentences.
- Visibility
- Interactivity
- Creativity
- Overall Theme
Eight winners will be selected:
- One winner will be selected for the ‘Most Innovative’’ award that recognizes the entrant whose work showcases outstanding creativity and substantial effort in crafting original decorations.
- One winner will be selected for the Best Group award
- Six winners will be selected by District - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Contestants can only win one award.
Previous year winners are not eligible for the same prize two years in a row; however, your entry may be eligible for another contest category and will be added to the map so that the public can enjoy your decorations.

How to Enter

Contestants must apply for their own home decorations and may not submit on someone else’s behalf unless entering as a group.
Complete the online entry form, then submit 2-3 photos via email to CulturalCommission@SantaClaraCA.gov by Monday, Oct. 27 by 5 p.m. The Cultural Commission will judge homes in-person by driving to the contestants’ addresses.
- Be sure to include the contestant's name and address with the photos.

What You Win

Winners will be announced Thursday, Oct. 30 on the Cultural Commission Facebook and Instagram.
You will be notified by email if you have been selected as a winner.
Winners will receive decorative yard signs to proudly display in their yards. Signs will be delivered by a Commissioner.
A Mayoral certificate will be mailed to the resident.
Photos of winning homes and addresses will be featured on the City of Santa Clara social media and website.
Houses will be added to a Google Map.

Disclaimer: The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject submissions with inappropriate content, including, but not limited to: profane language, sexual content, potentially libelous or defamatory comments regarding any person or organization, conduct that is or encourages illegal activity, content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, gender identification, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, or information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems or infrastructure.

Last Updated:

10-06-2025