Holiday Home Lighting event returns to Salinas with more categories

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Salinas is announcing the return of its annual Holiday Home Lighting event, adding new categories for the 2024 contest.

The city says that the individual categories include First Place and Best Handmade/DIY Decorations. Winners in these categories will receive $100, a yard sign, award from the Salinas Santa Lucia Rotary and Steinbeck Real Estate & Mortgage, and certificate from the City Council.

The Neighborhood Spirit (group of homes or a block) winners will receive a city-promoted invitation to the community to visit the Neighborhood Spirit winning homes on December 14, according to the city. The December 14 visit comes with refreshments, a yard sign, award from the Salinas Santa Lucia Rotary and Steinbeck Real Estate & Mortgage, and certificate from the City Council.

The city says there are six runner-up awards called 6 Holiday Cheer Awards that will come from each assigned City Council District. These winners will receive a yard sign and certificate from the City Council.

How it works:

1. Deadline for homes to be decorated to qualify is December 1 at 11:59 p.m.
2. There will be up to 21 semifinalists selected from all entries. Residents can self-nominate or nominate a home (homes do not have to be fully decorated yet to self-nominate. Residents can submit the entry/nomination form now as long as decorations are up by the December 1 deadline)
3. Semifinalists will be notified with a map of the semifinalist homes posted on December 6
4. Semifinalist homes will be the homes judged on December 8
5. Multiple category entries are allowed
6. 2 - 3 semifinalists will be selected per Council District and the Mayor will select 2 - 3 semifinalists from across the City
7. For the Handmade / DIY Decorations category, at least 50% of the decorations must be handmade (i.e. structures and displays using PVC pipe or wood, hand painted decorations, etc.)
8. The winners will be announced the week of December 9 once all scores have been calculated

For details and access to the entry/nomination form, visit cityofsalinas.org/News/2024-Holiday-Home-Lighting-Competition