Oldhamers encouraged to enter 'Window Wonderland' competition

Oldham Council is encouraging local residents to submit their festive window displays into its 'Window Wonderland' competition this Christmas. 

With the holiday season only a few weeks away, residents have already been creatively decorating their windows with bright lights, snowflakes and spare decorations – even hand illustrations of the notorious Grinch and his pet dog Max.

The council is asking residents to show off their windows to them on social media, with one lucky winner in line to win a festive hamper worth £50 that’s made up of holiday goodies from Oldham’s retailers.

All residents must do to enter is simply tag the council into their picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram along with their name before midnight on Sunday 20 December, to be in with a chance of winning.

Private messages and entries via the council’s Window Wonderland social media posts will also be accepted, with the winner being announced the following day.

These are some of the entries so far:

Leader of the Council, Councillor Sean Fielding, said: “Throughout the pandemic, our residents have already been showing off their artistic sides with spectacular rainbow pictures and colourful tributes to our NHS and key workers, which truly lifted everyone’s spirits.

“In that same spirit, we now want to see how creative our residents can be with their festive window displays too.

“There are some truly remarkable displays across our town already and they too are making people smile, so come on Oldham let’s see what you’ve got and may the best window win!

“For anyone in need of some inspiration, may I recommend looking at our fantastic Window Wonderland Trail in the town centre which has been cleverly put together with the help of our local artists.

“Located across Spindles, Tommyfield Market and Gallery Oldham, its art exhibition not to be missed.”

Residents can also download Christmassy colouring in sheets via the council’s website to stick on their windows as part of the fun. The best window entry will be picked at random with the lucky winner receiving their prize just in time for Christmas.

Full details on the competition and the terms and conditions can be found at www.oldham.gov.uk/ChristmasinOldham

The ‘Window Wonderland’ competition is part of the council’s ‘Christmas in Oldham’ campaign which promotes everything from the town’s exciting festive programme, to the borough’s shopping offer and activities residents can get involved in safely from home.

With Oldham’s much-loved Christmas events unable to go ahead this year because of the coronavirus pandemic – including its Christmas Lights Switch-On, Reindeer Parade and Brass Monkeys Music Festival – there’s still much to enjoy during the season of goodwill.

In addition to this year’s Window Wonderland Trail, residents can also go in search of 10 specially designed reindeer sculptures as part of the town’s alternative Reindeer Parade Trail. For more information on this visit, www.oldham.gov.uk/ChristmasinOldham