Boston Looking to get Decked out for the Holidays With Decoration Contest

Do you go all out at your home or business to get in the holiday spirit? If you have the best display in Boston in one of several categories, you could be one of this year's winners of the Boston Deck the City contests. 

There are two contests, one for businesses and one for residents.

New this year to the contest is the "Deck the Rooftops" contest for residents. Winners in multiple categories will be awarded, including one- or two-family homes, triple deckers, a porch or balcony or a multi-family or apartment building. And if a bunch of neighbors pull together, there's also a prize for best street. 

Judges will evaluate the overall design and appeal of residents’ lighting displays, and participants are encouraged to use LED lights whenever possible.

The deadline to enter this contest is Dec. 16. A local judging panel will select a pool of up to 10 finalists in each category and then the public will vote on the best of these from Dec. 18 at noon to Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.

The business competition is called the "Deck the Windows" competition. In its third year, the contest asks businesses to create a one-of-a-kind holiday window display. Teranga Senegalese Restaurant was last year's South End winner. You can see last year’s finalists here.

The deadline to decorate windows for the business contest was Nov. 28. But as of Tuesday, Dec. 11, you can vote for your favorite festive storefront windows. The winners selected through the voting process will be honored on Thursday, Dec. 20, at a celebration hosted by Mayor Menino at the winning business. More details about the contests can be found here.

“This year, we’re doing everything we can to promote all our neighborhood business districts have to offer during the holiday season,” Mayor Menino said. “Rather than leaving family and friends for midnight lines and mall traffic, we’re encouraging shoppers to explore all the unique gifts and holiday experiences available right in their own neighborhoods.”