Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. We do not buy, install, or physically handle the lights and decorations we cover; our rankings come from aggregated owner feedback and expert consensus, not first-hand testing. Commissions never change our verdicts. How we research · full disclosure.
Top 3 Picks
The traditional time to put up Christmas lights is the weekend after Thanksgiving, in late November. In practice, many people hang their outdoor Christmas lights earlier — often the first half of November while the weather is still mild and dry — and simply wait to switch them on until after Thanksgiving. The best time to hang lights is any dry day above freezing, before the deep cold makes ladders risky and the wiring stiff.
The short answer: hang early, light after Thanksgiving
There are really two dates that matter: when you physically hang the lights, and when you turn them on. Hanging is a weather-and-safety decision, so earlier and milder is better. Lighting is a tradition decision, and the day after Thanksgiving is the widely accepted start of the season. Splitting the two — hang in early November, light after Thanksgiving — gives you the safest install and a proper seasonal debut.
| Task | Typical timing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hang outdoor lights | Early–mid November | Mild, dry weather; safer ladder work |
| Turn lights on | Day after Thanksgiving | Traditional start of the season |
| Decorate the tree | Late Nov – early Dec | Keeps a live tree fresh through Christmas |
| Take lights down | After New Year / by Jan 6 | Epiphany; first dry, mild day |
Why early November is the sweet spot for outdoor lights
The single biggest reason to hang lights early is safety. Rooflines and gutters are far easier to work on when the surface is dry and the temperature is mild — no ice, no numb fingers, no brittle wire. Waiting until a December cold snap turns a routine job into a hazardous one. Hanging early doesn't commit you to lighting up early; leave them dark on a timer until you're ready. If you're installing on the roof, read how to hang Christmas lights on a house first.
How cold weather affects Christmas lights
Light strand wiring is a copper conductor inside plastic insulation, and that plastic stiffens in the cold. In freezing temperatures the wire becomes less flexible and more prone to cracking when you bend it around a hook or pull it taut. Hanging on a milder day keeps the insulation supple and reduces the chance of a snapped strand. It's also easier on your hands, which means a cleaner, more careful install.
When to turn on Christmas lights
Most households flip the switch the day after Thanksgiving and run the display each evening through the holidays. An evening timer — say 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. — handles the schedule automatically, saves energy, and means the lights are never left on unattended overnight. For the safety reasoning behind that, see can you leave Christmas lights on all night.
When to take down Christmas lights
The traditional deadline is January 6th — Epiphany, also called Twelfth Night — though many people simply take lights down the first mild, dry weekend after New Year's Day. As with hanging, pick a day above freezing so the strands are flexible and the roofline is safe. Coil the lights loosely and store them dry indoors to protect them for next year.
How early can you hang outdoor Christmas lights?
As early as the weather allows. There is no rule against hanging in early November. Many people hang then and simply wait to light up. The tradition of turning lights on after Thanksgiving still holds. Hanging and lighting are two separate steps.
The reason to hang early is safety, not tradition. A dry, mild roofline is far safer to work on than an icy December one. Cold weather also stiffens the wire and makes strands brittle. So pick a dry day above freezing. Hang the outdoor lights, run a test, then leave them dark on a timer. Turn them on the day after Thanksgiving. Take them down after New Year, and by Epiphany on January 6th.
Getting ready to decorate? See the best outdoor Christmas lights and the best Christmas light timer to automate the schedule. Related: how long LED Christmas lights last and the Christmas Lights 101 & Safety hub.
Our Picks
Prices and availability are pulled live from Amazon (as of Aug 22, 2026, 7:31 AM EDT) and refreshed every 3h. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.