Participate in Downtown Cleveland’s Holiday Storefront Decorating Contest

This holiday season, we’re creating bright and merry street corridors by encouraging festive holiday displays and creative window decorations. Think department store window scenes, 3D displays, holiday lighting, art and decals, and more!

Downtown Cleveland, Inc. will provide decorating stipends to the first 20 businesses that sign up. By participating, you will receive free advertising across Downtown Cleveland’s social media channels, website, and other communications promoting your business as a must-stop holiday destination. The public will vote for their favorite display!

The business with the most votes will receive cash prizes!

1st place: $500
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $200

Last year, nearly 40 storefront businesses participated and 1,600 votes were cast. We’re hoping to exceed both of those number this year to expand downtown’s holiday cheer even more!

Interested in participating?

Contact Ian Meadows at imeadows@downtowncleveland.com with your interest by October 30th to participate.

Benefits

Decorating stipend of $200 for the first 20 businesses to commit
Chance to win a cash prize
Free social media advertising (over 200,000 followers)
Free newsletter and website promotion
A festive, vibrant, and cheerful downtown

Important Dates + Deadlines

Please begin brainstorming your storefront designs and purchasing supplies. Storefronts must be decorated by end-of-day Sunday, November 22nd to be eligible for the contest. This is the date when our team will compile photos of decorated storefronts to be included in our participating business map and online voting platform in advance of Small Business Saturday and the WinterLand Kickoff.

Intent-to-enter deadline. To enter the contest, please email Ian Meadows at imeadows@downtowncleveland.com
Decorations must be completed and displayed in your storefront by the end of the day.
Our team will begin photographing displays and creating the voting webpage and poll on November 23rd.
Public voting will officially begin at 5pm on Wednesday, November 25th. A flyer with a QR to the digital voting platform will be distributed to all participating businesses prior to the voting period.
Please display this poster in your front window, and encourage patrons to vote!
All participating storefronts will be promoted through Downtown Cleveland, Inc. social media, website, and newsletter.
Saturday, November 28th will be a busy and festive day downtown, as we celebrate the WinterLand Kickoff with a day of family fun and Public Square holiday lighting.
It’s also Small Business Saturday, the perfect opportunity to boost holiday shopping and dining at your business.
Sunday, December 13th at 11:59pm: Public voting ends
Monday, December 14th: Winners of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash prize announced via social media and direct outreach. Our team will arrange a time to stop by this week to take a photo with your team and your winning storefront.
Continue to leave up your decorations through the holiday season for everyone to enjoy!