Young artists in Santa Cruz County have a chance to see their artwork come to life in lights this holiday season.
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation is inviting children ages 5-12 to enter its annual “Youth Art in Lights” contest, with the winning design becoming part of the 2026 Sparky’s Holiday Lights display at the fairgrounds.
Entrants should submit a drawing of a holiday-themed object or scene. The Holiday Lights Committee will select a winner, whose artwork will be transformed into a lighted display for the annual event.
Because the winning design must be recreated using a metal framework, simple drawings are encouraged.
Drawings can be submitted on the back of the official entry form or on a separate sheet of 8.5-by-11-inch paper.
The deadline to enter is Oct. 23.
Entry forms in English and Spanish are available at sparkysholidaylights.com.
Completed entries can be emailed to su*****@********************on.org or mailed to Fairgrounds Foundation, P.O. Box 1806, Freedom, CA 95019.
Sparky’s Holiday Lights runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, featuring a three-quarter-mile drive-through display of colorful holiday lights.
