A Scottish Town’s Annual Competition Invites Its Youngest Artists to Design ‘Wonky’ Holiday Lights

A photograph of a holiday light display on an electrical pole that was produced from a kid's drawing of a reindeer.

All images courtesy of Newburgh Action Group

For more than 20 years, the town of Newburgh in Fife, Scotland, has marked the holiday season with a wonderfully wonky tradition. Each autumn, young residents are invited to submit original sketches of Christmas decorations to a competition, and once a winning design is selected, Blachere Illumination transforms the work into an LED sculpture that’s then displayed throughout the town. The newest light is a salmon nicknamed “Happy Nemo” that sports a red hat, and the menagerie also features a “reinduck,” a cheerful piece of candy in a green wrapper with arms and legs, and a dinosaur with a star on its head.

A photograph of a holiday light display on an electrical pole that was produced from a kid's drawing of a salmon with a hat on.

Two photographs of a holiday light display on electrical poles that were produced from kids' drawings of snowmen.

A photograph of a holiday light display on an electrical pole that was produced from a kid's drawing of a dinosaur with a star on its head.

Two photographs of a holiday light display on electrical poles that were produced from kids' drawings of a snowman with a scarf on and a penguin with a hat on.

A photograph of a holiday light display on an electrical pole that was produced from a kid's drawing of a Christmas tree.

A photograph of a holiday light display on an electrical pole that was produced from a kid's drawing of a piece of candy with arms and legs and a smiling face.