Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) will be leading this year’s Christmas shop window competition, offering local businesses the chance to decorate and get in the festive spirit.

The competition brings a vibrant, Christmas feel into the town centre every year offering businesses the chance to show off their shop front with dazzling decorations and displays.

This year, Harrogate BID is partnering with the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to organise the competition.

The categories will feature shops, hotels, pubs and restaurants, professional services and a number of discretionary awards.

Harrogate BID has launched this year’s Christmas shop window competition, offering local businesses the chance to get into the festive spirit

placeholder image — Harrogate BID has launched this year’s Christmas shop window competition, offering local businesses the chance to get into the festive spirit

Another new addition this year will see a Harrogate BID Spirit of Christmas handed to a special individual who works hard every year to bring together the festive celebrations in the town.

Matthew Chapman, Manager at Harrogate BID, said: “This competition is a key part of the Christmas celebrations in our town and everyone always looks forward too it.

“It really adds to the festive offer in Harrogate, alongside the Christmas Fayre and the other additional animation.

“Our members always pull out all the stops to go all out and create fantastic festive displays and I can’t wait to see the very high standards set again for another year.

“Last year saw a record number of entries – and we’re hoping to top this in 2024 if we can.

"The competitions ongoing success is down to all of the businesses taking part and I’d like to thank all entrants.”

Participating businesses will have until Monday, November 25 to dress their windows, taking into consideration three key elements that the judges will be looking for - illumination, innovation and the Spirit of Christmas.

As there is a historic link between the competition and Christmas lights, the windows will be judges on how well they are lit.

The innovation will look into how new and different a display is, while the ‘catch all’ category will be judged on how well a display portrays the spirit of Christmas.

Prizes will be handed to the winners in each category during a special awards evening on Thursday, December 5.

There will be both a winner and highly commended entry for each award.

The Yorkshire Soap Company took home the overall crown in last year’s competition, following around 30 entries from a range of local companies in different business sectors.

If you are a town centre business in Harrogate and would like to enter the competition or find out more information, click HERE

As the number of entries is limited, these will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.