Holiday Window Decorating Contest: Last Chance for Village Businesses to Shine

Carlsbad Village is getting ready to sparkle, and some businesses have already begun transforming their storefronts for the annual  Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Festive displays will be fully in place by Wednesday, December 3, and the public is invited to stroll the Village and cast their votes from December 3–16 on our website. It’s one of the most cheerful traditions of the season, and a chance for everyone to enjoy the creativity of local businesses throughout the holidays.

Attention all Village businesses! There’s still time to join in. The final day to participate and complete your display is December 3, making this the last call to be part of a beloved community event that brings thousands of eyes to your storefront. All participants must sign up in order to enter.

Why Businesses Should Participate

This year’s contest offers significant visibility and standout prizes, including:

Extensive Promotion: All participating businesses will be featured on the Village website (600K annual visits), across social media (60K+ followers), and in the community newsletter—helping drive foot traffic and holiday engagement.

Five Award Categories:

• Classic Holiday Charm
• Children’s Delight
• Most Creative Display
• Best of Carlsbad Spirit
• People’s Choice Award (voted on by the public)

Major Prizes:

• All category winners receive a full-page feature in the Jan/Feb issue of Carlsbad Magazine.
• The People’s Choice winner also receives a free ¼-page ad in Carlsbad Magazine plus restaurant gift cards for up to 10 team members.

Public Voting

Community members play a key role by voting for their favorite display online between December 3 and December 16 at 5:00 PM PST. Whether you’re shopping, dining, or simply exploring, the decorated windows add an extra layer of holiday charm to every visit.

Key Dates

• Sign-Up Deadline for Businesses: November 26
• Displays Completed By: December 3
• Public Voting: December 3–16
• Winners Announced: December 17

This annual tradition is one of the most joyful ways businesses and community members come together to celebrate the holidays. Whether you are decorating a storefront or strolling the Village to enjoy the displays, the Holiday Window Decorating Contest brings creativity, charm, and seasonal spirit to every corner of downtown Carlsbad.