How it works
Battle Creek Lights runs from the first strand of lights to the final award. Here is the whole season at a glance.
- 1
Decorate and enter
November 16 – December 6
Decorate your home and enter it (or nominate a neighbor, with their permission) during the nomination period. Finished displays and photos are due by December 6 at 9:00 p.m.
- 2
Browse and vote
December 7 – 13
Browse every participating home and vote for your favorites. Voting opens December 7 at noon and closes December 13 at 9:00 p.m.
- 3
Celebrate the winners
December 18
Winners are announced December 18. Keep enjoying the lights nightly through December 26.
Full 2026 schedule
All times Central (America/Chicago).
Nominations (no voting)
Open Monday, November 16, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. Central. Close Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. Central. Finished displays and photos must be ready by the deadline.
Public voting (one round)
Opens Monday, December 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Central. Closes Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. Central. Every approved entry is included for the whole period.
Winners announced
Friday, December 18, 2026.
Lights on
Participating displays: nightly 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., December 7 through December 26.
The two awards
People's Choice
Determined by valid public votes cast during the voting period, December 7–13.
Judges' Choice
Selected separately by the organizer-appointed judging panel.