Christmas spirit on display across Ballymena as Chamber announces window dressing winners

Tom presenting the Christmas Window Dressing - Hospitality Award to Kim from Shot Coffee Shop

Festive creativity and community spirit were centre stage across Ballymena this Christmas as the Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2025 Christmas Window Dressing Competition.

Organised by Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, the long-running competition attracted a record number of entries this year, reflecting growing enthusiasm among local businesses to create eye-catching festive displays that enhance the town centre and surrounding villages.

For the first time, entries were judged across three new categories – Retail, Hospitality, and Social Enterprise and Services – a move introduced to reflect the expanding diversity of businesses taking part.

Tom Wiggins, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive presenting the Christmas Window Dressing - Retail Award to Rachel from Fred Funk

Chamber President Mark Wiggins praised both the quantity and quality of submissions, highlighting the positive impact the competition continues to have on the local economy and community atmosphere.

“We are delighted that the competition has not only attracted record entries this year but that the standard of entries improves each year.

“It is great to see so many businesses taking time to put together wonderful displays which really add to the feeling of Christmas and helps encourage more shoppers to visit our town centre and villages.

“The only real problem is the pressure this puts on the judges who have to pick the best display in each category.”

Following judging, the 2025 winners were announced as:

• Retail Award – Fred Funk

• Hospitality Award – Shot Coffee Shop

• Social Enterprise and Services Award – Mid Town Makers

Each winning display stood out for its creativity, attention to detail and festive charm, helping to bring colour, warmth and Christmas cheer to Ballymena’s streets during the busy seasonal period.

Beyond the window dressing competition, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce highlighted a year of extensive activity in support of local enterprise.

Tom presenting the Christmas Window Dressing Social Enterprise and Services Award to Jordan from Mid-Town Makers

During 2025, the Chamber organised 12 free business events for members, promoted member businesses across its social media platforms, and actively lobbied both the Council and the Northern Ireland Executive on behalf of the local business community.

The Chamber also organised and hosted the Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, which attracted record entries and welcomed 474 guests to the Awards Gala – making it one of the largest business events held in Northern Ireland this year.

In closing, the Chamber expressed its gratitude to members, sponsors and partners for their continued support and confirmed that plans are already in place to enhance services for members in the year ahead.

The organisation also extended seasonal good wishes to the wider community, wishing Ballymena’s businesses and residents a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year.