Christmas in Cullman · Hometown Lights Contest 2026

Cullman is lighting up for Christmas. Add your home to the glow.

Our town is growing into a true Christmas destination, and every glowing porch, street, and front yard helps tell that story. Enter your home, neighborhood, or Christmas card in the free Hometown Lights Contest, share the season with neighbors and visitors, and you could win up to $2,000.

Pre-Register Now See the Awards

Pre-register by Monday, November 23 · Final entries and photos due Tuesday, December 1 · Winners announced Monday, December 7

Illustration of a snowy neighborhood street with homes decorated in garland, wreaths, and warm white lights
Judged and presented by
Five Ways to Win

Pick your category

Each home enters one of the two home awards. Neighborhoods and Christmas cards have their own categories, and everyone is in the running for People's Choice.

Illustration of a two-story house completely outlined in warm white lights, with a lit reindeer and sleigh in the yard and a man admiring the display
Over-the-top display

The Clark Griswold Award

Maximum spectacle. Lights, inflatables, color, animation, synchronized shows, and pure Christmas excess. If the neighbors need sunglasses, you're in the right category.

Prize: $2,000

Illustration of a craftsman home with garland, wreaths with red bows, and lanterns
Traditional / classic display

The Home for the Holidays Award

Timeless Christmas beauty. Warm white lights, wreaths, garland, candles, symmetry, and classic elegance.

Prize: $1,000

Illustration of a neighborhood street with coordinated Christmas decorations
Neighborhood display

The Deck the Halls Award

A street, block, cul-de-sac, or group of 5 or more homes creating a coordinated Christmas experience together.

Prize: a neighborhood party at the Christkindlmarkt Winterhaus, with food tokens and ride tickets for each household

Illustration of an oversized outdoor Christmas card reading Merry Christmas from Cullman, Alabama, beside a decorated church
Community Christmas card display

The Christmas Card Trail Award

Residents, businesses, schools, churches, organizations, and groups create outdoor Christmas cards displayed throughout Cullman.

Prize: join the winning neighborhood's Winterhaus party, with food tokens and ride tickets

Illustration of a home glowing with colorful lights, a rainbow light tree, and projected snowflakes
Voted by the public

The People's Choice Award

After the judged winners are announced, the community votes for its favorite display. Voting opens in late December.

Prize: $1,000

How It Works

Four steps to the spotlight

Pre-register

Let us know you're competing by Monday, November 23. It's free and takes two minutes.

Light it up

Finish your display and keep it lit nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM through Christmas Day. Of course, you're welcome to leave it on as long as you like.

Send your final entry

Submit your final registration and a photo of your display by Tuesday, December 1.

Winners announced

Judged winners are revealed Monday, December 7. People's Choice voting follows later in December.

Now
Pre-registration open
Nov 23
Pre-registration closes
Dec 1
Final entries and photos due
Dec 7
Winners announced
Late Dec
People's Choice voting
Prizes

$4,000 in cash, plus a party at the market

  • Clark Griswold Award: $2,000
  • Home for the Holidays Award: $1,000
  • People's Choice Award: $1,000
  • Deck the Halls Award: a neighborhood party at the Christkindlmarkt Winterhaus, with food tokens and ride tickets
  • Christmas Card Trail Award: joins the neighborhood party, with food tokens and ride tickets
Pre-Register Now
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5 awards Four judged by Cullman Power Board and Cullman Electric Cooperative, the folks who know a thing or two about electricity. One picked by you.
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Map goes live December 7 Participating homes and Christmas cards, shared with the owner's permission.
The Hometown Lights Trail

Make a night of it

Starting December 7, when the winners are announced, find participating homes, neighborhoods, and Christmas cards on the Hometown Lights Trail map. Only entrants who opt in are listed.

Cullman ChristkindlmarktStart at the market. Spend the evening at Cullman Christkindlmarkt in Depot Park, then take the lights drive home. Admission to the market is free.
Plan your Christkindlmarkt visit
Light It Safely

Tips from your utility partners

Rated for outdoorsUse lights, cords, and decorations labeled for outdoor use.
Protect your outletsPlug into GFCI-protected outlets and don't overload circuits.
Stay off the polesNothing on utility poles, lines, or equipment, or in the road right-of-way.
Go LEDLEDs use a fraction of the energy and stay cool to the touch.
Questions

Frequently asked

Does it cost anything to enter?

No. Entry is free.

Who can enter?

Anyone in Cullman County can enter. Homes and neighborhoods enter the light awards, and the Christmas Card Trail is also open to businesses, schools, churches, and community groups. Employees of Cullman Power Board and Cullman Electric Cooperative are welcome to enter.

What's the difference between pre-registering and the final entry?

Pre-registering (by November 23) just lets us know you're competing. Your final entry, with a photo of your finished display, is due December 1. Pre-registration is required to submit a final entry.

Can my home enter more than one category?

Each home picks one of the two home awards: Clark Griswold or Home for the Holidays. Your home can also be part of a Deck the Halls neighborhood entry, and every entry is eligible for People's Choice.

Can I hire a company to help decorate?

Yes. You can have any help you like, from family, friends, and neighbors to a hired lighting or decorating company. Displays are judged on how they look, not who put them up.

I have a synchronized or animated show. Where does it go?

The Clark Griswold Award. Animation, music, projections, and pixel shows all count toward the spectacle.

How does People's Choice work?

After the judged winners are announced on December 7, the public votes for its favorite display. Voting opens in late December, and details will be posted here.

Will my address be shown publicly?

Only if you say yes on the registration form. If you opt out, judges still see your display, but it won't appear on the public map.

Do judges come onto my property?

No. Judges drive by between December 2 and 6 and view every display from the public street only.

How do neighborhood entries work?

One neighbor acts as captain and registers the group, listing every participating address. You need at least 5 homes on the same street, block, or cul-de-sac.

What are the Christmas card rules?

Cards must be at least 4 by 8 feet, must be lit at night, and must sit on private property with the owner's permission. See the official rules for details.

Who do I contact with questions?

Email info@cullmanchristkindlmarkt.com. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Ready to light up your hometown?

Pre-registration is free and takes two minutes. Open through November 23.

Pre-Register Now