Spooky Awards

Niagara Falls Spooky Awards logo

The Niagara Falls Spooky Awards are back for 2024!

The Niagara Falls Spooky Awards is our free, outdoor Halloween display competition. Last year more than 60 homes officially entered the competition!  Altogether, 9 awards will be issued to our spookiest residents across three categories: Judges' Favourite, Best Effects, and People's Choice. Thanks to all for joining in the fun and showcasing your incredible talent and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing all the spook-tacular displays!

Get Spooky! There are lots of ways to participate:

  1. Create an outdoor Halloween display at your home or business. See Official Entry Rules below. Registration opens October 1 for 2024! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  2. Tour the displays across the city with the Spooky Map! Displays will be lit right up to Halloween night, so hop in the car with your family and friends to see all the creepy decorations! Map coming soon!
  3. Cast your vote in the People's Choice Awards. Voting will be open to the public during the judging window (from 6:00pm on Oct 25 to 10:00pm on Oct. 27 only). CLICK HERE TO VOTE
  4. Follow the Competition on Facebook! Competitors campaign for visits and votes by sharing photos and videos. Page coming soon!

Official Entry Rules

  • Open to residential and commercial properties in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
  • Competition dates are Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
  • Contest is limited to exterior decorations, which must be visible from the curbside. 
  • Decorations must not cover/interfere with any fire safety equipment, roadways or sidewalks/walkways.
  • Keep everything PG-13.
  • Special Effects/Lighting/Inflatables must be operating each night during the competition (between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
  • Voting/Judging may take place anytime during the competition dates/times.
  • Photos & Media: participants must agree to have photos of their displays and their addresses posted online, including, at the sole discretion of the City of Niagara Falls: the Spooky Map, voting forms, and our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).
  • Official Spooky Awards Entry lawn signs must be placed in your yard and easily visible from the curbside. Free of charge, pick yours up at the MacBain Centre starting Tuesday, October 1. If you have one from last year, you can save yourself a trip: they're the same. (MacBain is open 7:00am - 9:00pm Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday)

Rules For Judges and Public Voting for the People’s Choice Awards

  • Assessments to be conducted from the curbside (sidewalk) only.
  • Do not block traffic.  Be courteous to others.
  • Voting for the People's Choice will be open to the public during the competition starting from Oct 25 at 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Oct 27. One vote per person, per entry/display. Online voting form is posted above.

Assessment Criteria

Judges Favorite:

  • Originality (20 marks)
  • Overall theme (20 marks)
  • Creative use of lights and special effects (20 marks)
  • Detail/placement of decorations (20 marks)
  • Overall Presentation (20 marks)

Best Effects (20 marks)

Prizes

  • Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the three categories: Judges Favourite, Best Effects, People's Choice. 
  • 1st place winners will receive a Spooky Awards trophy!
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a commemorative lawn sign acknowledging their spooky display and category they placed in!
  • 1st place winners will receive a $100 gift card of their choice
  • 2nd place winners will receive a $75 gift card of their choice
  • 3rd place winners will receive a $50 gift card of their choice

For more information on the program, please email or call Recreation & Culture at 905-356-7521 ext.3345 during regular business hours.

2023 Spooky Award Winners

  • People's Choice Award
    • First Place | 5394 Twidale
    • Second Place | 3250 Harleyford
    • Third Place | 4120 Campbell
  • Judges Choice Award
    • First Place | 6763 Randy
    • Second Place | 5394 Twidale
    • Third Place | 6088 Corwin
  • Best Effects Award
    • First Place | 4120 Campbell
    • Second Place | 5394 Twidale
    • Third Place | 6763 Randy