If there’s one thing we’ve learned after installing Christmas lights on thousands of homes over the past 15+ seasons, it’s this:
The families who get the best dates and the least stress are the ones who book early.
Not “November early.”
Not “after Thanksgiving early.”
We mean months earlier than most people think.
So when is the best time to book a Christmas light installation?
Short answer: late summer to early fall.
Here’s why.
The Reality of the Christmas Light Season
Every year, the calendar fills the same way:
- Early planners start reaching out in July and August
- September is when schedules begin to tighten
- October is when prime install weeks start disappearing
- By November, most professional crews are fully booked
It’s a lot like trying to book a wedding venue or a beach house in peak season. The closer you get to December, the fewer options you have — and the more rushed everything becomes.
Why Booking Early Matters (From the Installer’s Side)
When you book early, a few important things happen:
1. You Get Your Preferred Install Week
Instead of being squeezed in wherever there’s an opening, you can choose the week that works best for your family, events, HOA deadlines, or neighborhood lighting schedules.
2. Your Design Gets More Attention
Early-season estimates allow more time to talk through rooflines, trees, columns, entryways, and more features instead of making quick decisions under a holiday deadline.
3. Weather Is Less of a Wild Card
In places like coastal North Carolina, fall weather can change fast. Booking early gives us flexibility to work around wind, rain, and heat without pushing you late into the season.
4. You Lock in Service Before Crews Are Maxed Out
Once crews are fully scheduled, there’s only so much capacity. Early clients are the ones who get priority routing, consistent crew assignments, and smoother installs.
What “Early” Actually Means
Here’s the timeline we recommend to our own customers:
- July–August: Ideal time to request an estimate
- September: Great time to finalize design and schedule
- Early October: Still good availability, but filling fast
- Late October–November: Limited openings, less flexibility
Waiting until Thanksgiving week almost always means settling for whatever dates remain — if any are left at all.
Does Early Booking Cost More?
No — and in many cases, it saves money.
Early planners often:
- Have more design flexibility without last-minute add-ons
- Avoid rush fees
- Have better access to payment plan options
- Get first choice on scheduling throughout the season
It also gives you more time to budget and plan instead of making a big holiday decision all at once.
The Bottom Line
The best time to book a Christmas light installation isn’t when the Christmas music starts playing in stores.
It’s when you can still:
- Choose your schedule
- Take your time with the design
- Avoid the seasonal rush
- And actually enjoy the process
For most homeowners, that sweet spot is late summer through early fall.
That’s when everything is calmer, more flexible, and set up for the smoothest, most beautiful result once the holidays arrive.