We are excited to propose a heartwarming new tradition that will allow the artistic spirit of our community youth to shine brightly at the Sarnia Celebration of Lights. We are proposing a local design contest to create a brand-new, spectacular decoration for our city. This is an invitation to every creative mind elementary school age and younger to help light up the 2026 holiday season.

The Competition: Design a Decoration to be displayed on a light pole…

We are inviting all Sarnia youth residents—from budding artists to seasoned veterans—to submit a design for an original, festive holiday decoration.

Your design should be suitable for translation into a large-scale, illuminated, iron-framed structure. Think big, bold, and bright! The design can be a traditional Christmas symbol, a celebration of Sarnia’s unique identity, or anything that embodies the spirit of the holidays.

Three designs will be selected for public online voting. Celebration of Lights Committee will then work with a local fabricator to bring the winning design it to life as a large, custom-made iron and light sculpture. This new, decoration will be officially unveiled and displayed at the 2026 Sarnia Celebration of Lights.

Key Dates and Details

• What? Entry sheets are available online: www.celebrationoflights.com or the Book Keeper, Or The Toy Corner.
• Who can enter? All residents of Sarnia, Ontario, Elementary school age and younger
• When to submit: The competition will officially open on November 1, 2025, and designs will be accepted until November 20, 2025.Shortly after online voting will begin.
• Where to Submit: The Toy Corner, 1030 Confederation St. The Book Keeper, 500 Exmouth St.
• The Prize: IF your submission is selected for online voting please plan to attend the opening ceremonies Nov 29th if you are the winning submission.
• The winning designer will be recognized at the 2026 Celebration of Lights unveiling ceremony and have the honour of their artwork becoming a permanent, cherished part of Celebration of Lights annual holiday display for years to come.

This project is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to create a lasting, illuminated legacy that truly reflects the talent and creativity within our city. Let’s make Sarnia’s 2026 Celebration of Lights our most personal and brilliant yet