Registration now open for the 2026 Niagara Falls Spooky Awards

NIAGARA FALLS, ON - The Niagara Falls Spooky Awards are back for 2026, inviting residents and businesses across the city to show off their Halloween spirit and transform their properties into spooktacular displays.

This free outdoor Halloween display contest is a chance for the community to come together, get creative, and have some fun. Last year, a record 69 properties took part, and the City hopes even more will join in for 2026.

Nine awards will be presented across three categories: Judges’ Favourite, Best Effects and People’s Choice.

Get Spooky! How to Participate

Create a Display

Residents and businesses can register their outdoor Halloween displays beginning Thursday, October 1. Entries close Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 p.m.

Tour the City

From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, residents are encouraged to follow the Spooky Map and tour participating properties across Niagara Falls. Displays will be lit each night from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Vote for People’s Choice

Public voting for the People’s Choice Award will be open from October 23 to 25. A voting link will be available at niagarafalls.ca/spooky.

Follow the Competition

Follow along on the 2026 Spooky Awards Facebook Event to see photos and videos, discover participating displays and keep up with the competition.

Official Rules

• Open to residential and commercial properties in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
• Displays must be outdoors and visible from the curb.
• Special effects, lighting and inflatables must be operating during competition hours.
• Decorations must not interfere with fire safety equipment, roads, sidewalks or walkways.
• Displays must be appropriate for a PG-13 audience.
• Participants agree to have photos of their displays and property addresses shared through the Spooky Map, voting forms, and City social media.
• Official Spooky Awards lawn signs must be displayed at each participating property. Signs are available free of charge at the MacBain Community Centre beginning Thursday, October 1. Participants may reuse their sign from last year.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each of the three categories.

First-place winners will receive a Spooky Awards trophy and commemorative lawn sign. Second- and third-place winners will receive a commemorative lawn sign.

Complete rules, registration information and the Spooky Map will be available at niagarafalls.ca/spooky.

For more information, please contact:
Michelle Nicholls
Community Recreation Coordinator - Special Events
City of Niagara Falls
mnicholls@niagarafalls.ca