Here’s the short version: book your Christmas light installation in September or October, or no later than early November. Professional installers have a short season and limited crews, and schedules typically fill up by mid-November. Wait until Thanksgiving and you may be choosing from leftover dates or a waitlist.

The details shift a bit depending on your display size and whether you’re decorating a home or a business. Here’s how the season actually plays out, and how to make sure your lights go up when you want them.

Why Christmas light installers book up so fast

Most installations happen in a window of about six weeks. Most people want their lights on by Thanksgiving weekend or the first week of December, and nobody wants a crew on their roof in the dark or in a storm. That means every installer is working against the same short calendar, limited daylight, and the weather.

Each job also takes more than a quick visit. A custom display starts with a design consultation, then the decorations get prepped, then the crew installs. Throughout the season, we make service visits to keep everything running, and in January we do takedown and storage. When you book early, you’re not just reserving an install date. You’re getting a spot in that entire cycle.

The booking timeline at a glance

When you book What to expect
September – October Best choice. Widest pick of install dates, time for a design consult, and time for HOA approval if you need it.
Early November Still good. Most of the season’s install calendar is open, but prime weekends start to go.
Mid-November Schedules typically fill around this point. Call instead of emailing to grab whatever openings are left.
Late November – December Limited. Ask about cancellations and smaller packages, like roofline only or a front-entry display.
January Takedown. Your crew removes, packs, and stores everything so it’s ready for next year.

Install early, turn them on later

Many homeowners hesitate to install early because they don’t want lights on before Thanksgiving. You don’t have to turn them on. You can put up your display in early November and run it on a timer until you’re ready. Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, so installing before then means you’ll be lit for the holiday weekend without fighting the post-Thanksgiving rush.

Early installs also give you a cushion. A stretch of bad weather can push back a crew’s whole schedule, and late-season dates get squeezed first.

What else affects your timing

  • Weekday flexibility. For exterior work, you don’t need to be home, so weekday slots are usually easier to get than Saturdays. If you need a specific day, book before Halloween.
  • Trees and shrubs. Wrapping trees takes more time than a roofline. Bigger displays need more crew hours, so they’re harder to fit in late in the season.
  • HOA approval. Many communities have rules about exterior decorations, light colors, or install dates. If you need approval, start in October so the paperwork doesn’t hold up your install.
  • Traveling for the holidays? Book before you leave. Your display can be up and lit when you get back, and you won’t need to be there for the exterior install.
  • Celebrating Chanukah? It begins at sundown on Friday, December 4. Plan an install date before that week. See our Chanukah decorating

Businesses should book even earlier

For a business, the deadline isn’t Christmas. It’s the start of holiday shopping. Black Friday is November 27 this year, and you want your storefront, entrance, or property lit before customers start their shopping. Commercial displays also tend to be bigger, sometimes with lifts, extra power, or after-hours work.

If you manage a retail center, office park, restaurant, dealership, or HOA common area, aim to have your design approved in October. Learn more about our commercial holiday lighting.

Already past mid-November? Call anyway

A late booking isn’t always a lost cause. Cancellations happen, and installers sometimes have gaps between bigger jobs. If you’re booking late, a few things help:

  • Call instead of filling out a form to grab an opening right away.
  • Be flexible on the date. A weekday install is easier to fit in than a Saturday.
  • Start smaller. A roofline or front entry is quicker to schedule than a full property display, and you can add more next year.

Don’t forget about takedown

Nobody looks forward to taking lights down, and it usually eats up a January weekend. When you book with Christmas Lights by Amco, takedown is included. After the New Year, we schedule a removal date that works for you, pack everything up, and store it until next season. No tangled boxes in the garage.

Want to skip the booking rush for good?

If you’re tired of planning around the calendar every fall, permanent lighting is worth a look. Install it once and control it from an app on your phone, so you can turn on Christmas colors in December, red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, or warm white the rest of the year. There’s no annual install date to chase, and no takedown.

What to have ready when you request a quote

A few details make the first conversation faster and the quote more accurate:

  • Your address, and whether it’s a home or a business
  • What you’d like lit: roofline, trees, shrubs, windows, wreaths, garland, or yard displays
  • A couple of photos of the front of the property, if you have them
  • Any HOA or property-management rules
  • When you’d like the lights up, and when you’d like them turned on
  • Where your outdoor outlets are (larger displays sometimes need extra power)

Frequently asked questions

How early should I book Christmas light installation?

September or October is ideal. Early November still works. By mid-November, most installers’ schedules are full or nearly full.

When do professional Christmas light installations usually start?

Most installs happen between early November and early December. Many homeowners install early and keep the lights off until Thanksgiving weekend, using a timer.

Do I need to be home for the installation?

Not for exterior work. Our crews can complete an outdoor installation whether you’re home or not.

When are the lights taken down?

After the holidays, at a time that works for you. A representative schedules the takedown appointment, and we store the decorations until next season.

Is it too late to book in December?

Not always. Call and ask about cancellations or a smaller display. Availability is limited, but openings come up.

Reserve your spot for the 2026 season

The earlier you book, the more control you have over your install date, your design, and your takedown. Reserve your holiday lights online or call us. Quotes are free.

Have a question first? Check our FAQ or contact us.