Home Decorating Contests

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Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Holiday Home Decorating Contest!

Congratulations to this year's winners:

District 1: 1001 E River Parkway
District 2: 2132 Cabrillo Ave.
District 3: 3031 Santa Maria Ave.
District 4: 2998 Stevenson St.
District 5: 214 Washington St.
District 6: 220 Bel Ayre Dr.
Best of the Best: 954 & 960 Capitola Way
Best Group: 967, 975, 983, 991, 1001 & 1021 E River Parkway

View all contest submissions on this live map.

Contest Rules

Open to residents of the City of Santa Clara.
Contestants must apply for their own home decorations and may not submit on someone else’s behalf unless entering as a group.
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 above.
Incomplete submissions will be not considered.
Group Entry Eligibility
- Only one entry per group (submitted by a group leader).
- Groups may include 2–8 households, all Santa Clara residents.
- Households must be contiguous — apartment complex, neighbors, same block, or cul-de-sac.
Select members of the Cultural Commission will conduct in-person judging by visiting each contestant’s address.
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.
- Decorative Lighting
- Decorations (Decorations should be visible)
- Originality/Creativity
- Overall Theme
Eight winners will be selected:
- One winner will be selected for the "Best of the Best’’ award
- 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. Exceptions may be made depending on the number of entries per district, available awards, and other contest rules.
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.

What You Win

Winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 22 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.
"Best Group" winners will receive one plaque and one certificate given to the entrant.
Photos of winning homes and addresses will be featured on the City of Santa Clara social media and website.
Houses will be added to an interactive 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:

12-22-2025