1.1 Location

Displays must be located within Lincoln, Nebraska, or within five (5) miles of Lincoln city limits. This requirement applies to all contest categories, including Grand Display.

1.2 Residential Displays Only

The contest is open to homeowners and residents, including renters. Businesses and commercial properties are not eligible.

1.3 Personally Decorated

Displays must be decorated by the homeowner, resident, or their family and friends. Professionally decorated or commercially installed displays are not eligible.

1.4 Public Visibility

Displays must be visible from a public roadway. Judges and visitors must be able to enjoy the decorations without entering private property.

1.5 One Entry Per Home

Each residential address may submit one contest entry. Homeowners may select one judged category, People's Choice only, or one judged category with the option to also be considered for People's Choice.

1.6 Display Operation

Decorations should be illuminated and operational during the judging period, December 11th–21st, weather permitting.

1.7 Political Advertising

Displays featuring political advertisements, campaign signs, or political promotional materials are prohibited and will result in disqualification.

2.1 Contest Categories

The 2026 Holiday Display Contest features six categories:

• 🌟 Grand Display — Judged
• 🎄 Best Traditional — Judged
• 🎨 Most Creative — Judged
• 🎅 Clark Griswold — Judged
• ✨ Best Newcomer — Judged
• ❤️ People's Choice — Public Vote

Five categories will be evaluated by independent judges. People's Choice is the only category decided by public voting.

2.2 Category Selection

Homeowners may enter one judged category, People's Choice only, or one judged category with the option to also be considered for People's Choice. Each home is limited to one judged category.

2.3 People's Choice

Homeowners may enter People's Choice as their only category or request consideration in addition to entering one judged category.

An independent panel will select up to twelve (12) People's Choice finalists from those who apply. The public will then vote to determine the winners.

Homeowners who enter both competitions must be selected as finalists independently in each. Displays selected for both are eligible to win prizes in both categories.

People's Choice finalists are strongly encouraged to promote their displays and share the voting link through social media, friends, family, and other appropriate channels to encourage public participation.

2.4 Finalist Limits

Each of the six categories will have a maximum of twelve (12) finalists. If more than twelve eligible entries are received in a category, finalists will be selected through the contest's finalist selection process.

2.5 Best Newcomer Eligibility

Best Newcomer is reserved for homeowners who have never previously entered a Phillip's Lincoln Lights Christmas decorating contest. Previous participation in the Halloween contest does not affect eligibility.

2.6 Category Changes

Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers may contact homeowners about moving their entry to a more appropriate category. Any category change will require homeowner approval.

2.7 Previous Grand Display Winners

Beginning with the 2026 contest, any home that wins first place in Grand Display must sit out that category the following year. Winners may return to Grand Display after their one-year break and remain eligible to enter other contest categories during that time.

This restriction applies only to first-place Grand Display winners.

3.1 Maximum Finalists

Each contest category will have a maximum of twelve (12) finalists. The number of finalists selected may vary by category depending on the entries received.

3.2 Finalist Selection Process

An independent selection panel will review submitted display photos and select up to twelve (12) finalists in each category.

Finalists will be selected based on overall appearance, creativity, visual presentation, and how well each display represents its chosen category.

For the five judged categories, finalists will advance to the judging round, where independent judges will determine the winners. For People's Choice, the public will vote to determine the winners from the selected finalists.

3.3 Finalist Notification

Finalists will be selected and notified beginning December 10th, 2026. Notifications will be sent using the contact information provided during registration.

3.4 Finalist Selection Decisions

Finalist selections are made at the discretion of the independent selection panel and Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers. Selection as a finalist is not guaranteed, and all finalist selection decisions are final.

4.1 Judged Categories

The following five categories will be evaluated by independent judges:

• 🌟 Grand Display
• 🎄 Best Traditional
• 🎨 Most Creative
• 🎅 Clark Griswold
• ✨ Best Newcomer

People's Choice is not evaluated by judges for the purpose of determining winners. Winners in that category are determined through public voting.

4.2 Judging Period

Judging will take place December 11th–21st, 2026. Judges will visit finalist displays independently and on their own schedules during this period.

Homeowners are encouraged to keep their displays illuminated and operational throughout the judging period, weather permitting.

4.3 Scoring Criteria

Judges will evaluate each finalist using three criteria, with a maximum of ten (10) points awarded for each:

Each judge may award a maximum of thirty (30) points per display.

Judges will evaluate each display based on the expectations of its selected category. Displays are not required to be the largest, brightest, or most elaborate to receive high scores.

4.4 Determining Winners

Judges' scores will be combined to determine the first, second, and third-place winners in each judged category.

Displays will be evaluated based on the characteristics of their selected category.

4.5 Judging Impartiality

Judges are expected to evaluate displays fairly and independently. Judges may not score a display where a personal relationship or other conflict of interest could affect their impartiality.

4.6 Final Judging Decisions

Judging results are final. Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers reserve the right to review scoring discrepancies and resolve ties before winners are announced.

5.1 Voting Period

Public voting for the People's Choice category will begin December 11th, 2026, at 7:00 PM and end December 21st, 2026, at 10:00 PM.

All times are Central Time. Voting dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

5.2 Voting Eligibility & Limits

Voting is open to the public. Votes are limited based on IP address or network connection, as enforced by the voting platform.

Multiple individuals using the same household Wi-Fi or shared network may be restricted from casting separate votes.

Voters may use either a Wi-Fi connection or mobile data to participate.

5.3 Promoting Your Display

People's Choice finalists are encouraged to promote their displays and share the official voting link through social media, friends, family, and other appropriate channels.

All promotional activity must be conducted fairly and without attempts to manipulate the voting process.

5.4 Fraudulent Voting

The following activities are strictly prohibited:

• Using VPNs, proxies, or other methods to bypass voting restrictions.
• Using automated voting tools, bots, or scripts.
• Any other attempt to artificially increase vote totals or circumvent voting platform restrictions.

Suspicious or fraudulent voting activity may result in votes being removed or the display being disqualified from the People's Choice category.

5.5 Vote Monitoring & Verification

Voting activity may be monitored and reviewed by the voting platform and Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers.

Vote totals may be adjusted if invalid or fraudulent votes are identified. Public vote totals may also be hidden during the contest to maintain suspense.

5.6 Final Voting Results

The People's Choice winners will be determined by the highest number of valid votes received during the official voting period.

The display receiving the most valid votes will receive first place, followed by second and third place.

All voting results are subject to final verification. Decisions regarding voting irregularities, vote removal, and disqualification are final.

6.1 Contest Prizes

A total of $3,200 in prizes will be awarded across six contest categories, generously sponsored by Capital Dental.

Prizes may be awarded in the form of cash, checks, or gift cards.

6.2 Determining Winners

First, second, and third-place winners in the five judged categories will be determined by the combined scores of the independent judges.

People's Choice winners will be determined by the highest number of valid public votes received during the official voting period.

6.3 Winning Multiple Categories

Homeowners who enter both a judged category and People's Choice are eligible to win prizes in both categories, provided they are selected as finalists in each.

6.4 Winner Announcements

Contest winners will be announced on December 23rd, 2026, in the Phillip's Lincoln Lights Facebook group.

Winners will also be notified directly using the contact information provided during registration.

6.5 Prize Distribution

Capital Dental, the official contest sponsor, will coordinate prize distribution with the winners.

Winners may be required to confirm their contact information and mailing address to receive their prizes.

6.6 Prize Eligibility & Verification

All winners must comply with the official contest rules to remain eligible for prizes.

Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers reserve the right to verify eligibility and disqualify entries found to be in violation of contest rules. If a winning entry is disqualified, the prize may be awarded to the next eligible finalist.

7.1 Contest Schedule

The 2026 Holiday Display Contest will follow the schedule below:

All times are Central Time.

7.2 Submission Deadline

All contest entries must be submitted by December 9th, 2026, at 10:00 PM Central Time. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Homeowners are responsible for ensuring their entry information and display photos are submitted correctly before the deadline.

7.3 Display Readiness

Finalist displays should be fully decorated, illuminated, and ready for judging beginning December 11th, 2026.

Judges may visit at any time during the judging period, so homeowners are encouraged to maintain their displays throughout the contest, weather permitting.

7.4 Schedule Changes

Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers reserve the right to modify contest dates or deadlines due to severe weather, technical difficulties, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Any significant schedule changes will be communicated through the Phillip's Lincoln Lights Facebook group and, when appropriate, directly to affected participants.

8.1 Display Photos & Media Permission

By entering the contest, homeowners grant Phillip's Lincoln Lights permission to use submitted photos and videos of their displays for contest-related purposes, including the official website, Facebook group, social media, promotional materials, and future contests.

Submitted photos and videos may be shared publicly to promote participating displays, announce finalists, and recognize winners.

8.2 Homeowner Responsibilities

Homeowners are responsible for the installation, operation, maintenance, and safety of their holiday decorations.

All displays must comply with applicable local laws, ordinances, and safety requirements.

Homeowners are encouraged to ensure decorations, extension cords, and electrical equipment are properly secured and do not create hazards for visitors or neighboring properties.

8.3 Visitor Safety & Private Property

Visitors must respect private property, neighboring homes, and all posted signs.

Participation in the contest does not grant visitors permission to enter private property, driveways, or yards.

Visitors are encouraged to remain on public roadways and sidewalks, follow traffic laws, and avoid blocking driveways or creating traffic hazards.

8.4 Liability Disclaimer

Phillip's Lincoln Lights, its contest organizers, sponsors, and judges are not responsible for injuries, accidents, property damage, theft, or other incidents associated with participating in, visiting, or viewing holiday displays.

Homeowners and visitors participate at their own risk.

8.5 Contest Communications

Contest-related announcements and updates will be shared through the Phillip's Lincoln Lights Facebook group.

Finalists and winners may also be contacted directly using the contact information provided during registration.

Homeowners are responsible for providing accurate contact information and responding to contest-related communications when necessary.

8.6 Contest Rule Changes

Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers reserve the right to modify contest rules, procedures, or schedules when necessary to address unforeseen circumstances, maintain fairness, or protect the integrity of the contest.

Significant changes will be communicated through the Phillip's Lincoln Lights Facebook group.

8.7 Disqualification & Final Decisions

Phillip's Lincoln Lights Contest organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that violates contest rules, provides false information, or engages in conduct that compromises the fairness or integrity of the contest.

All decisions regarding eligibility, category placement, finalist selection, judging, voting irregularities, and disqualification are final.

8.8 Agreement to Official Rules

By submitting a contest entry, homeowners acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to follow the official rules of the 2026 Phillip's Lincoln Lights Holiday Display Contest.