When to book Christmas light installation, when they go up, and when they come down

Christmas light installers have one short season and a fixed number of crews, so they fill up from the top of the calendar down. Here is how the season usually runs, and what to have ready when you ask for a price.

The season, month by month

• September–October: book. Installers take bookings early and schedule in the order people sign up. October is when you have the most choice of dates.
• Late October–November: they hang. Most crews start hanging lights in late October or early November so every house is up before Thanksgiving.
• Thanksgiving onwards: lights on. The lights sit on a timer until you want them switched on; many people switch on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
• December: repairs. A dead strand or a bulb knocked out by wind is usually fixed during the season — check that it is included.
• January: take-down. Lights come down in January and are often stored by the installer until next year.

What to have ready

• Which parts you want lit: the whole roof edge, the front only, bushes, trees, the walk.
• Warm white, colour, or lights that stay up all year (permanent lights).
• Roughly how many feet of roof edge you have — the calculator helps, or we can measure it.
• A budget. Professional installation typically runs $2.50–$7 a foot including the lights (HomeAdvisor, 2025).

Get your price now

Type your address: we measure your roof edge from aerial imagery, show your house lit up, and price it, so you know the number before you call anyone.

Common questions

When should I book Christmas light installation?

In October, or early November at the latest; the weeks before Thanksgiving fill first.

When do Christmas light installers hang lights?

Most start in late October or early November so every house is up before Thanksgiving.

When do Christmas lights come down?

Most installers take them down in January, and many store them until next season.