When to Book Christmas Light Installation in Florida

In Northern states, Christmas lights race the first snow. In Florida there's no snow to race, so people assume they can call in December. The calendar works differently: the weather is easy, but the installers' schedule is not. Here is how the season runs in Jacksonville, and when to book.

The demand curve is steep

Searches for Christmas light installation and permanent lighting in the Jacksonville area go from about 1,600 a month in September to about 3,700 in October and roughly 11,000 in November, then drop to about 7,800 in December and 1,200 in January. In plain words: about three quarters of the year's interest lands between October and December, and it peaks in November — exactly when installers are busiest. A two-person crew lights two or three homes a day, so every installer has a fixed number of slots, and the November rush fills them.

The Jacksonville calendar

• October — book. This is when design visits and quotes happen and when the best install dates are still open. Many companies run early-booking discounts; ours is $100 off through October 31.
• Mid-November to about December 10 — install. Most of our installs fall between November 15 and December 10. Earlier dates go first.
• Through New Year — lit. Lights run on a timer every evening. If a storm loosens a run or a section goes dark, a service call is included.
• January 2 to 15 — takedown. Everything comes down on a scheduled day, is tested, labeled and stored for returning clients.

Why not install earlier?

Some homeowners want lights up for Halloween's end or the first week of November. We can do it, but most HOAs in St. Johns and Clay set a window for holiday decorations, and many owners prefer to light the house after Thanksgiving. Check your association's guidelines before you pick a date; we schedule inside whatever window it sets.

What happens if you call in December?

You may still get lit — cancellations happen and some days have room — but you'll be choosing from leftover dates, often the second week of December, and you'll miss the early-booking price. Large homes and big palm designs are the hardest to fit in late because they take a full crew-day.

Florida weather is easier, not irrelevant

We don't fight ice, but we do watch wind and lightning. Light rain doesn't stop an install; storms and high wind do, and a rescheduled day pushes the calendar. That's another reason not to leave booking to the last week. Near the beaches, sea breezes are the bigger factor, which is why runs are secured at short intervals.

Permanent lighting runs on a different clock

Permanent LED lighting is installed once and used all year, so it can be installed in any month. Booking it in spring or summer means more open dates and a system that's ready for Fourth of July, game days and Christmas. If you're deciding between the two, our permanent vs seasonal comparison helps.

A simple plan

1. In early October, send your address and what you want lit.
2. Get a mock-up and a written price.
3. Pick an install date between mid-November and December 10.
4. Enjoy the season; call if anything goes dark.
5. Let us take it down in January.

Want a number first? Use the Christmas light installation cost calculator, or read what drives the price in how much Christmas light installation costs in Jacksonville.