Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Contestants choose themes for their holiday décor based

on Christmas "past" (1890 to 1970) 

View photos and read about the Village Buildings Featured in the Contest - select from those available for decorating.

Is there a fee to enter the contest?     Yes - the entry fee is $35.00.

When does village building decorating begin?  Contestants are allowed to begin decorating their respective buildings as early as  Wednesday, November 1, 2023.  All decorations must be in place by 3pm, November 18, 2023 (no exceptions).

Decorating GUIDELINES

The Holiday Village Decorating Contest is about having fun and exercising your creativity!

What is allowed (DO’s):

·   Vintage decorations and/or reproductions, modern decorations,

    homemade decorations.

·   Artificial trees – no tree may exceed 5 feet in height.

·   Artificial or fresh greenery.

·   If lights are used, they must be “new” packaged string lights. All lights

    MUST be okayed by the Museum before installation.

·   Lights may be draped “inside” areas of the buildings per guidance of

    Museum staff.

·   LED Candles – battery or solar operated.

What is NOT allowed (DON’TS):

·   No lights are permitted on building exteriors.

·   No fasteners: nails, tacks, hooks, tape, 3M fasteners or similar may be   

    used to attach decorations to walls, ceilings, windows, window frames,

    doors, door frames, or to objects in the interior of any village building or

    the exterior of any village building.

·   No real (wax) candles, no plug-in candles.

·   No lamps other than electric or battery operated. All lamps must be

    approved by Museum staff prior to installation.

·   No live trees, live plants (e.g., poinsettias) fresh fruit or other perishables.

The Museum is not responsible for damaged or lost articles installed by contestants in village buildings as part of the Holiday Village decorating contest. 

Who determines the contest winners?   Winners are determined based on the number of votes they receive.

When does the voting close? Voting closes on December  9, 2023.

When will the contest winners be announced?  Winners will be announced online on December 10, 2023.

When do decorations need to be removed?  All decorations must be removed  between  January 3 -6, 2024.

Proceeds from “A Farmer’s Christmas” admission fees, the Holiday Village Decorating Contest and from the sale of contest voting tickets go to support the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, a private non-profit organization.