HOLIDAY NIGHTS
Map It. Light It. Win It.
December in Detroit Lakes is a season of sparkling lights, local shopping, festive flavors, and holiday magic — where every stop shines a little brighter!
0 homes and 0 businesses are lit up so far.
Dust off the decorations. Lake Lights & Holiday Nights is Detroit Lakes' free holiday lights contest and tour. Put your home or business on the map, and we'll send neighbors and visitors your way. No display is too small — and yes, Clark Griswold-level is encouraged.
Map It
Sign up in about 90 seconds. It's free, and you can join any time in December.
Light It
Indoor, outdoor, big or small. One wreath counts. So does a full Griswold.
Win It
Judges' awards, People's Choice, and epic bragging rights.
Light Up Your Home
Enter by Sun, Dec 13 · 11:59 pm
- The "Clark Griswold" AwardQuantity, brightness & impact
- The "Norman Rockwell" AwardAesthetic, tradition & sentiment
- The "Santa's Workshop" AwardTheme, creativity & novelty
- People's ChoiceThe most public votes, Dec 13–20
Home winners get $50 in Chamber Bucks.
Enter your homeDeck the Storefronts
Enter by Sun, Dec 6 · 11:59 pm
- Best Spirit of the SeasonThe most festive, welcoming exterior
- Brightest, a.k.a. the Griswold AwardThe most lights, the most dazzle, the most over-the-top
- Indoor WonderlandThe best interior or window display
- People's ChoiceThe most public votes, Dec 13–20
Business winners get a hand-carved ornament trophy.
Enter your businessKey dates
- Mon Nov 30
- Grand Parade of Lights
- Sun Dec 6, 11:59 pm
- Business entries due
- Wed Dec 9, 2–5 pm
- Business judging
- Sun Dec 13, 11:59 pm
- Home entries due
- Dec 13 – 20
- People's Choice voting
- ~Wed Dec 16, evening
- Home judging
- ~Mon Dec 21
- Winners announced
- Through Dec 31
- Displays lit evenings; map stays live