27 Outdoor Christmas Lights Ideas

Some popular outdoor Christmas light ideas include using fairy lights around trees, hanging lighted wreaths on the door, and adding electric festive figures to the yard. Considering your budget and the overall look you want, you can experiment with a plethora of outdoor lighting options. 

Nothing gives me as much joy as the sparkle of outdoor Christmas lights. 

From classic white string lights to colorful candy cane lights – the possibilities for outdoor Christmas lights ideas are endless. You can go traditional with free-standing festive figures or try a modern twist with minimal, monochromatic outdoor Christmas lights. 

That said, in this article, I’ll be sharing some of the most enchanting outdoor Christmas light ideas that you can try out in the next holiday season. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa and get ready to spread some festive cheer! 

27 Outdoor Christmas Lights Ideas

1. Invite Santa, His Reindeer, Or A Snowman!

What’s a better way to ring in the festive season than to have Santa and his sleigh right in your yard? 

In this particular outdoor setup, you can see a stag with Santa’s sleigh decked up with gifts. Place it on your porch to welcome guests, or move it to the roof to save some outdoor space. Alternatively, you can choose other free-standing festive figures and storybook elements to narrate different sections of the Bible. Regardless, your outdoor lighting setup will be a sight to behold!

2. Welcome The Christmas Cheer With Icicle Lights

When used right, frosted icicle lights can make the perfect Christmas décor. You can give your home a wintry feel this holiday season by placing icicle lights along the rooftop. This will make them stand out beautifully against the dark sky.

You can take this idea up a notch by incorporating the same color of lights into your trees. Simply follow the branches of the trees to achieve a wintery look. The effect is simple, refreshing, and uncluttered, yet it exudes an incredibly festive vibe.

3. Add A Whimsical Touch With Lanterns

You can add a whimsical Christmas touch to your porch by filling old lanterns with white or yellow fairy lights. Then you can drape some string lights around the lantern and leave some on the floor for an effortlessly aesthetic vibe. 

4. Embrace The Festive Feel With Colored Lights

Don’t be afraid to go overboard with colors. After all, ‘tis the season to be jolly! So, whether it’s your yard, the front door, or the entire house – deck it up with multicolored lights. 

A few colorful Christmas lights scattered around can create a joyful atmosphere and a kid-friendly vibe, emanating a constant and vibrant gleam, which is ideal for the festive season. You can select a traditional red and green color combination or go for color-changing fairy lights to make a bigger impression.

5. Transform Your Porch Into A Winter Wonderland

If you think adding color lights all over the house is too much for your taste, try adorning the front porch only. For instance, this ornamental round side porch looks no less than a winter wonderland with twinkling lights all over the Christmas tree and the balustrade. So simple, yet so stunning!

6. Sprinkle Some Starlight

Not everyone has the budget to buy extravagant outdoor lights, and that’s okay – your house can still make heads turn, just like this Scandinavian-inspired Christmas porch. Simply make some paper lanterns in the shape of stars and snowflakes – this can be a fun activity for the kids too.

Once the DIY paper lanterns are ready, insert bulb lights inside and hang them on the ceiling. 

7. Make It Moody

If you dig the moody vibe, try using white lights or white bulbs with lush wreaths, mistletoes, and plants all around the doorway. Not only is this one of the easiest outdoor Christmas light ideas, but it is also a unique and minimal way to embrace the holiday spirit.

8. Deck The Porch Columns

Here is another Christmas décor idea for those who like to keep things simple. Just wrap each column with chunky green garlands, complete with big red bows and Christmas lighting. Keep everything else as it is and simply turn on the usual lights on the porch. You could also use some light strings indoors to give a sneak peek through the doors and windows. 

And this entire setup will look even better if your porch or yard is covered with sparkling white snow!

9. Add A Twinkling Door Wreath

Next, I have another effortless DIY Christmas project for you and your little ones. Take some pre-lit Christmas wreaths or garlands and a red bow. I suggest using three wreaths, like the aforementioned picture. Assemble them together and place the bow in the middle so that it reflects the warm white light from the wreaths and the rest of the décor.

Consider placing this three-ring wreath on your front door and add two mini Christmas trees on each side. This outdoor Christmas lighting setup is sure to add a festive glow to the front porch without occupying much outdoor space.

10. Keep It Simple

If your house features a sloping roof, or you’ve got a 60s-inspired A-frame cabin, why not transform it into a life-sized gingerbread house nestled in the woods? Adorn the roofline and the path leading to the house with large bulb lights spaced at intervals, creating a striking visual effect with a simple, uncluttered approach. 

11. Light Up The Outdoor Christmas Tree

If you are blessed with a vast front yard with an evergreen tree, consider adding a Christmas tree embellished with gleaming ornaments and colorful lights. This approach is an excellent and fun way to extend holiday wishes to visitors, especially if your house is situated far back from the road.

12. Carve Out Your House With Rope Lights

Have you ever considered using the nighttime darkness to your benefit when decorating your home? Try utilizing conventional multi-colored rope lights to create an outline of your home. Just make sure to follow each corner of the house precisely using the rope lights.

13. Brighten Your Home With a Christmas Light Projector

Welcome the Christmas spirit throughout your home by using an LED light projector. You can select from various displays, such as Santa Claus sneaking in, twinkling lights, snowflakes, and falling snow effects. 

The most significant advantage of this type of Christmas lighting is that it eliminates the need to climb up ladders and untangle string lights. However, when purchasing a projector, ensure that it has display modes, brightness, and adequate coverage area. Additionally, verify that the projector is water-resistant and suitable for outdoor use.

14. Go All Out With Christmas Lights

This is an advanced technique that demands some commitment, but the outcome is incredibly stunning! 

Essentially, you’re using lights like paint and creating color blocks on your house. Start by collecting lights in various colors and arranging them. Adorn your walls with red lights, line your windows with green lights, and embellish your roof with white lights for a complete Christmas transformation.

15. Wrap Christmas Lights On Tree Trunks

Do you have large trees all over your front yard? Try covering the tree trunks with string lights of the same color. Doing so creates the impression of pillars, which is quite clever if you ask me! 

16. Light Up The Front Yard

If your house is situated far from the road, you can use a string of lights to wrap some greenery or a mailbox in the front lawn. It’ll serve as a visual connection to the primary light display at the front of your home.

17. Spell It Out

You must have seen those light letters influencers use in their rooms, often spelling out their names. Well, you can shift them outdoors to spell out words like “joy,” “Xmas,” “merry,” and more. I think this simple outdoor Christmas light idea is effective yet gorgeous in spreading the warmth of the Christmas season to neighbors and passersby.

For a more subtle look, you can opt for smaller alphabet decorations to hang on your Christmas tree. Within a few minutes, you’ll have the cutest Christmas tree in town!

18. Add More Sparkle With Extra String Lights

If you’ve got some extra string lights left, consider including topiary in your outdoor Christmas light ideas. To achieve a modern and stylish look, you can use blue-white string lights to accentuate sleek shapes like cones, spheres, etc. However, if you prefer a more playful and whimsical feel, use the twinkle setting.

19. Don’t Forget The Fence

If you want to stand out in the next Christmas and holiday season, consider recreating this outdoor lighting setup. Rather than focusing on the yard or the porch, you can choose the fence as the focal point of the outdoor Christmas lights. 

Embellish it with a lighted garland, complete with red bows and ribbons. You could also define the roofline with white string lights to add depth to the overall display. 

20. Frame Your Windows With Extravagant Lights

Want to outdo mall light shows this Christmas? Well, use the power of festive lights to create innovative and unique frames for your windows. Purchase malleable string lights and wall clips, then outline the shape on your wall and fasten the lights in place using the clips.

21. Create A White Christmas Vibe

If you live in an area where it seldom snows, you might need to think outside the box to experience a white Christmas. 

Well, this lighting setup is ideal for a wraparound porch. All you have to do is adorn your bushes, stair rails, pillars, and roofline with sparkling white Christmas lights. Even without any additional decorations, this pure white theme evokes the feel of snow in the hottest of locations.

22. Enhance The Roofline

Make use of lighting to accentuate your home’s exterior, such as this cottage with a slanted roofline illuminated with enchanting white lights. This stunning yet simple outdoor Christmas lighting adds depth to your front yard on gloomy winter evenings.

23. Add A Warm Touch With Candles

Even if you use electric Christmas lights, keep some candles on hand for when you want a more intimate atmosphere or to share a drink without the jarring bright lights. For instance, you can keep the LED candles under your bench or place them along the handrail.

Or simply light a candle in the middle of your porch table for a candlelit Christmas ambiance.

24. Trim Your Bushes And Light ‘Em Up!

When it comes to incorporating Christmas into your home décor in a modern and refreshing way, here’s a unique idea for your front yard. If you have many bushes, consider trimming them into spherical shapes to create a floating effect. 

Next, adorn them with mini lights in white, green, and red colors for a fresh take on traditional Christmas decorations. This idea is particularly suitable for those looking to add a trendy touch to their home’s exterior.

25. Bask In The Golden Glow

This Christmas light idea is perfect if you’re got a bright red or green door. Or, you can paint your door for a fun, festive touch!

Then add some golden ball ornaments on potted Christmas trees and deck up the surrounding areas with warm string lights. Doing so will result in a soft and inviting glow that epitomizes the classic appeal of the holiday season. 

Lastly, you can add a lighted garland on the front door to add a timeless charm to the overall look.

26. Create A Firework Scene With Starburst Lights

Using fireworks can be a hassle, but modern Christmas enthusiasts have found an alternative solution! 

How about purchasing some starburst lights, which provide the appearance of a continuous firework display without any of the noise and smoke? They make for a stunning addition to a large light display or can be used alone to create a more otherworldly atmosphere.

27. Cover Large Spaces With Net Lights

If the thought of wrapping individual string lights around large surfaces like walls, hedges, and railings stresses you out, consider using a net version instead. This will not only save you time but also ensure that the lights are evenly distributed, resulting in a stunning and visually appealing backdrop.

However, when covering a large area, decide the overall vibe you want to go for. That said, cool-toned lights in white or blue colors will create a frosty winter wonderland effect. On the other hand, warm-toned outdoor lights will complement traditional decorations and create a cozy ambiance. 

What are some popular types of outdoor Christmas lights?

Given below are just a few of the most popular types of outdoor Christmas lights available: 

• String lights are the most common type of outdoor Christmas lights, consisting of a string of bulbs that can be wrapped around trees, bushes, and other outdoor features. 
• Net lights are a mesh of lights that can be easily draped over bushes or hedges to create a uniform look. 
• Icicle lights are designed to mimic the appearance of hanging icicles and are often hung from rooflines or eaves. 
• LED lights are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them a popular choice for outdoor Christmas displays. 
• Battery-operated lights are convenient for outdoor displays that are far from electrical outlets and do not require any wiring or extension cords. 

Are LED lights better for outdoor use than traditional incandescent bulbs?

Yes, LED lights are more energy-efficient, which means they use less electricity to produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs. They also have a longer lifespan and are more durable, making them more suitable for outdoor use. 

Moreover, LED lights emit less heat than incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of fire hazards. And the fact that LEDs are available in a variety of colors makes them all the more convenient for outdoor Christmas displays. 

What are some safety tips to keep in mind when hanging outdoor Christmas lights?

• Use Outdoor-rated Lights

Ensure that the lights you use are rated for outdoor use and are properly insulated to protect against environmental elements. 

• Inspect The Lights

Before hanging the lights, inspect them carefully to make sure there are no damaged wires or broken bulbs. Discard any damaged lights. 

• Use Proper Extension Cords

Use extension cords rated for outdoor use, featuring the appropriate length for your needs. Do not use indoor extension cords for outdoor lighting. 

• Avoid Overloading Outlets

Do not plug too many lights into a single outlet or extension cord, as this can create a fire hazard. Use multiple outlets and extension cords as needed. 

• Use A Ladder Safely

When hanging lights on tall trees or the roof, use a sturdy ladder that is positioned on a level surface. Do not stand on the top rungs of the ladder, and have someone hold the base for added stability. 

• Turn Off The Lights When Not In Use

Turn off the lights when you are not at home or when you go to bed at night to reduce the risk of fire. 

• Keep Electric Decorations Away From Power Lines

Do not hang decorations near power lines or other electrical equipment, as this can be dangerous. 

Conclusion

And those were all the outdoor Christmas light ideas I had for you. I hope this guide will be helpful for those who want to make their home shine this holiday season!

Whether you’re decorating a small front porch or a sprawling backyard, there’s a way to add a festive touch to your abode. So, put on some Christmas songs, and get ready to jazz up your home with outdoor Christmas lights!