Register Your Display

1. Entry is free! No cost or fees will apply.
2. To enter the contest, you must go to KIVY's website www.kivy.com or www.easttexaschristmas.com and follow the link to the registration page and complete the simple form.
3. Entrants must be registered by 5 p.m. Monday December 7, 2026. Once registration closes, no further entries will be allowed. Participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated for the judging period beginning Wednesday, December 9, 2026, through Sunday night December 13, 2026. Lighting must be operational from 6 PM until 10 PM each night of judging. Winners will be announced Tuesday December 15, 2026, on KIVY and on EastTexasChristmas.Com.
4. Light displays must be visible from the public road or street. Judging will be based on “curb appeal” as viewed from the public street only. Therefore, only those decorations located on the street side of the property will be judged (corner lots will be judged from both streets if applicable). Judges are not allowed to travel down a private road or extended driveway.
5. Displays may consist of any Christmas holiday, religious, or winter theme as long as they fit your selected category. The contest is for exterior decorations only, including up close decorations in windows that are visible from the public roadway. All entries are judged on originality, creativity with lights, and use of the “Christmas Holiday” theme designated in their entry choice. Special lighting, musical effects and live actors are encouraged. Decorations will be judged on their matching the category chosen and originality, not necessarily on the cost invested or on the amount of decorations used.
6. For contestants entering the Animated (synchronized) Lighting category, you are urged to limit your show to a maximum of 3 songs with a time limit not to exceed 15 minutes during the judging nights. This will allow the judges to see your “Mini” show and not delay them going and judging other contestants. Put what you consider your better sequences out for those nights.
7. The Christmas Lighting Challenge will be in the five incorporated cities of Houston County: Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, Latexo and Lovelady and a distance of up to 1 nautical mile (as the crow flies) outside of the five incorporated cities. Distance measurements will be determined by Google Maps. There will be only one winner per category, county wide.
8. When registering online, you must determine which one of the five categories you want to be judged in. Your selection is final, however, if you fail to select a category, you are defaulted into the Clark Griswold category. There will be only one winner in each category countywide and two Special Awards countywide.
9. By entering this contest, you agree to have your address listed publicly on the map and on the list of addresses for advertising purposes of this contest online at EastTexasChristmas.Com, KIVY, and KIVY TV. If you win, or receive an honorable mention, your name and address will be announced as a category winner of this contest online at EastTexasChristmas.Com and KIVY Radio along with KIVY-TV 16.
10. By entering this contest, you agree and acknowledge to hold EastTexasChristmas.Com and KIVY, its judges, agents and volunteers fully harmless for any and all losses you may incur as a result of participating in this contest.
11. Winners will receive bragging rights and a keepsake trophy. Winners will also be featured on EastTexasChristmas.Com website and KIVY's TV-16! This event is all about community spirit and Christmas fun.
12. EastTexasChristmas.Com staff and volunteers will judge all entries. One winner will be awarded for each category countywide. Judges and other administrative personnel are allowed to enter this contest however judges that have entered this contest may not judge any houses in the category they have entered. Also, they may not ride share during judging with other judges to prevent improper influencing. All judges' decisions are final.

See every award on the Judging Categories page.