![Niagara Falls Spooky Awards logo]()
The Niagara Falls Spooky Awards are back for 2025!
The Niagara Falls Spooky Awards is our free, outdoor Halloween display competition. Last year more than 50 homes officially entered the competition! Altogether, nine 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!
2024 Spooky Award Winners
- People's Choice Award
- First Place | 4591 Cataract Ave
- Second Place | 8393 Feren Drive
- Third Place | 5422 Hamilton Street
- Judges Choice Award
- First Place | 5394 Twidale Ave
- Second Place | 3250 Harleyford Cr
- Third Place | 6763 Randy Drive
- Best Effects Award
- First Place | 7833 Dockweed Drive
- Second Place | 6486 Hawkins Street
- Third Place | 4120 Campbell Ave
Get Spooky! There are lots of ways to participate:
- Create an outdoor Halloween display at your home or business. See Official Entry Rules below. Register online now to participate. Deadline to register is Friday, October 17, 2025, by 4 pm.
- 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!
- Cast your vote in the People's Choice Awards. Voting will be open to the public during the judging window (from 6 pm on October 24 to 10 pm on October 26 only).
- Follow the Competition on Facebook! Competitors campaign for visits and votes by sharing photos and videos. Click here for the Facebook Page.
2025 Spooky Entries List
There's no perfect route, but if you follow our list in order, it will take you around to each house as efficiently as possible, starting north to south! Get out there and see all the Spooky fun!
Entry addresses will be listed here once confirmed for 2025. Check back a couple of days before October 24 to see a complete listing.
Official Entry Rules
- Open to residential and commercial properties in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario only (no exceptions)
- Competition dates are Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26, between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm
- 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 dates and times (October 24 to 26, between 6 pm and 10 pm)
- Voting/Judging may take place anytime during the competition dates/times
- Photos and 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 Wednesday, October 1. If you have one from last year, you can save yourself a trip: they're the same. (MacBain is open 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm 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 October 24 at 6 pm until 10 pm on October 26. One vote per person, per entry/display. The 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!
For more information on the program, please email or call Recreation & Culture at 905-356-7521 x 3345 during regular business hours.
