Halloween decorations are taking over Cornelius this October, and residents have a chance to show off their creativity in the town’s annual Halloween Decorating Contest.
Organized by Cornelius Parks and Recreation, the free contest invites homeowners to transform their outdoor spaces into Halloween displays, from spooky scenes to family-friendly decorations. The community will help choose the winners through public voting.
Two Categories for Halloween Creativity
This year’s contest features two decorating categories:
- Spooky & Scary: For homes featuring creepy characters, eerie lighting and Halloween scares.
- Fun & Festive: For colorful, playful and family-friendly Halloween displays.
Whether residents prefer haunted-house decorations or cheerful pumpkins and seasonal lights, both categories give participants an opportunity to showcase their Halloween spirit.
How to Enter the Contest
Registration is open October 1–14, 2026, and participation is free for Cornelius residents.
Only exterior decorations will be considered, including decorations displayed in windows that are visible from outside. Entries will be evaluated based on their appearance from the street, so participants should focus on decorations visible from the front of their homes.
Decorations must also follow the town’s safety and content guidelines. Displays cannot block walkways or fire safety equipment and must remain appropriate for children, non-discriminatory and free of political messaging.
Residents can find registration details and contest rules on the Town of Cornelius Halloween Decorating Contest page.
Public Voting October 20–28
Once registration closes, the community gets to help select the winners.
Public judging will take place October 20–28, giving residents an opportunity to vote for their favorite decorated homes in both categories.
All participating homes must keep their Halloween decorations illuminated from 5:30 to 9 p.m. each evening during the judging period.
Judging will focus on curb appeal, with decorations viewed from the street rather than inside the property.
For Lake Norman families who enjoy exploring neighborhood Halloween displays, the contest also offers a chance to discover decorated homes around Cornelius.
Winners Announced October 30
Winners in the Spooky & Scary and Fun & Festive categories will be announced on October 30, 2026, through the Town of Cornelius website and social media channels. Results will also appear in the November Parks and Recreation newsletter.
Participants should note that exterior photos of their homes and their addresses may be shared through town communications and future promotional materials.
For registration, voting information and complete contest rules, visit the official contest website.
