Halloween Decor Contest Now Open

2025 Fun & Festive winner | Photo by Town of Cornelius

The annual Cornelius Halloween Decorating Contest is now open to anyone interested in competing for the town’s most spook-tacular home.

The submission window runs through Oct. 14. The contest is limited to exterior decorations that are appropriate for children, nondiscriminatory and free from political messages.

Participants agree to have one or more photos of their decorated home, along with their address, posted on the Cornelius Parks and Recreation website and social media pages.

Judging will take place Oct. 20-28, when contestants must have their decorations lit from 5:30-9 p.m. for public judging.

Online voting will determine the winners, who will be announced Oct. 30 on the town website, social media accounts and in the November e-newsletter.

As in previous years, the contest features two decorating categories: Spooky & Scary and Fun & Festive.