Light Up Princeton Registration Is Open Now Through November 13th

Temperatures have dropped, the leaves are changing colors, and Minnesota is putting on one of my favorite shows of the year. It really is a beautiful time to be here.

But with all of the fall festivities happening, how is it possible that I'm about to talk to you about Christmas lights? Don't turn the page! Especially if you live in Princeton.

LIGHT UP PRINCETON REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY

Light Up Princeton is getting ready for another holiday season, and registration is officially open for the Residential Light Contest! It's hard to believe for some...but for those who are serious magic creators, there's no surprise here.

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IT'S TIME TO MAKE YOUR PLANS

For a lot of us, the holiday season just sneaks up on us, but for the people who make that magic happen, the planning starts long before Thanksgiving...and sometimes before Halloween even arrives.

You know who I'm talking about. These are the people who have Christmas running through their veins. They're already thinking about where the lights are going to go, what this year's theme will be, and whether they have enough extension cords to make it all happen.

And some of them don't just decorate...They CREATE.

Princeton Shines Bright With Charming Holiday Light Display

LET THE MAGIC HAPPEN

We're talking inflatables, blow-ups, music, homemade decorations, elaborate displays, and enough extension cords to power a small city.

Some of these Christmas decorating geniuses spend months creating something unique, and I honestly can't wait to see what they come up with this year.

Does this magical description make you want to skip right over the holidays in between and go straight to red and green?

If you're ready to get your Christmas on, here are a few things you need to know.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

It's time to get registered! You need to register by 5 p.m. on November 13th if you want to be included in the voting.
If you want your house to be part of this year's Light Up Princeton contest, your home must be located within five miles of the City of Princeton.
Once you sign up, you'll receive a sign for your front yard with your contest number. (By the way, those signs need to be returned to the Princeton Chamber when the contest is over. If you don't return it, there's a $20 fee.
Your house needs to be completely decorated and ready to go by November 28th.

So you've got a little time...but not as much as you think!

THE PRINCETON PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

November 28th is also when the Princeton People's Choice voting begins.

The ballot will be available through the Princeton Chamber's Facebook page, and you'll have until December 20th to vote for your favorite holiday display.

MYRRH AND MYSTERY

You won't know exactly when members of the committee will be coming around to judge the houses. It's a secret! So don't think you can put everything up at the last minute and hope nobody notices. Those Christmas elves could be watching.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN?

If you won the contest last year, you aren't eligible to win again this year. But let's be honest...that probably isn't going to stop you from decorating, right?

Because when the magic of Christmas runs through your veins, you'll be decorating for the love of the season, and all those people who want to see your amazing magic will be happy you're decorating too.

PREVIOUS WINNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER

Previous winners are encouraged to register their homes so they can still be included on the holiday lights map. Your sign will say "2025 Winner," and your house won't be included on the voting ballot, but people will be able to see just how much holiday spirit means to you.

BE ADDED TO THE DIGITAL MAP

The participating houses will be added to a digital map that's also shared on social media.

So start making your holiday light plans. Get your family together. The kids. The grandkids. Make your plans over a fire with s'mores in October, and then blow us away like a winter storm come Christmas.

GET REGISTERED NOW

So if you've been sitting there thinking, "This is the year I'm finally going to enter my house," this is your sign. You can get registered by clicking HERE.