7th Annual Festival of Lights Holiday Lighting Competition

Experience Mount Vernon's 7th Annual Festival of Lights Holiday Lighting Competition, sponsored by Knox Community Hospital, is a dazzling spectacle that fills the City of Mount Vernon with warmth and festive cheer. Every year, as the holiday season approaches, the local community comes together to showcase its creativity and imagination through enchanting light displays. The competition aims to light up the entire City, with each submission vying for the top prize in its respective category. Residents and visitors alike are welcomed into a mesmerizing wonderland as they drive through our twinkling City, adorned with stunning designs, from elaborate animated scenes to whimsical displays. The Festival of Lights has become an iconic event, where families, friends, and neighbors gather in the spirit of celebration, marveling at the captivating brilliance that illuminates Mount Vernon during the most wonderful time of the year.

Show off your holiday light decorating skills and festive spirit! Participants are encouraged to be original, colorful, and imaginative with their use of lights, seasonal characters, scenes, and decorations. 

CATEGORIES & PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES

Awards will be given for the best overall (most votes) in the following categories:

1. Best Business/Store front: A Mount Vernon business or storefront that shows off their holiday decorating skills. Businesses may choose to decorate in one of the preselected themes (White Lights, Vintage Holiday, Light up the City) or choose their own theme.

2. Best Classic White Light Display: Best and brightest classic white light display

3. Best Holiday Movie-inspired Display: 2026 is all about holiday movie magic! We want to see your holiday movie-inspired light display!

4. Best Light Up the City Display: Can your light display (almost) be seen from space? Then this is the category for you!

Guidelines for participation:

• Decorations must be available and lit up from Saturday, December 12, at 6:00 pm, and remain in place through Tuesday, December 15, at 10:00 pm.

  Decorations must be visible from the roadway.

• Participants must be located within the Mount Vernon City Limits. 

• Winners will be announced on the Experience Mount Vernon Facebook Page on Wednesday, December 16 by 5:00 pm (winners will be contacted directly via email as well).