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The 13 Best Outdoor Christmas Lights To Display This Holiday Season

The holidays are right around the corner, and the best outdoor Christmas lights are a must-have for turning your home into a winter wonderland. Safety is important, and it pays mind to strategize a setup that won’t trigger any safety hazards. There are dozens of great options to choose from, including lights in different shapes, sizes and colors, but our top pick for 2023 is the Brizled Christmas String Lights, which feature 800 dimmable LED bulbs and 11 different lighting effects. They are ideal for decorating the outside of your home and around your yard, and are sure to spread some colorful cheer to the whole community. What’s more, they’re pretty well priced, too.

The best outdoor Christmas lights will quickly turn your home into a winter wonderland without … [+] triggering any safety hazards.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / IMAGE: RETAILERS

As you compare different outdoor Christmas lights, there are a few things to consider. LED lights are the more energy-efficient and longer-lasting option, and there are a variety of bulb shapes to choose from, including oversized C9 bulbs and even novelty shapes like seasonal snowflakes. You’ll also want to look at the strand length and whether it can be extended. Lastly, don’t forget to double-check that the lights (and their plugs) are rated for outdoor use. If you’re ready to kick off the holiday season, here are the best outdoor Christmas lights to consider for outside your home.

Length: 279 feet (for 800 LED lights) | Colors: Warm white and multicolor, Multicolor, Green, and 7 other options | Timer: Yes | Special features: Dimmable, 11 light modes, comes with a remote control

For that classic Christmas-time look, the waterproof Brizled Christmas String Lights are unbeatable. Available in several bulb sizes, lengths and colors, these lights are endlessly adaptable—you can wrap a single white string around a tree or you can connect multiple multicolor strands together for an elaborate full-yard display. Plus, the warm white and multicolor varieties (which have 11 lighting modes) can change colors.

And that’s not all these dimmable lights have to offer. You can also schedule them to turn off after a set number of hours using the timer, plus control everything from the ground using a handy remote control.

Pros:

Available in multiple colors and lengthsFour brightness levels to choose fromInclude 11 lighting modes, controlled by a remote

Cons:

Small bulbs may not be as visible on rooflineforbes.comAmazon Promo Codes | 30% Off In October 2023 | Forbes

Length: 115 feet (for 300 LED lights) | Colors: Warm white | Timer: No | Special features: 8 light modes, waterproof

If you’re in the market for reliable strand lights but you don’t want to shell out too much money, the Quwin Waterproof LED Outdoor Christmas String Lights are a fantastic option. Featuring end-to-end connectivity, up to three strands of lights can be attached to one another, allowing you to illuminate larger spaces. The hardest part is picking which of the eight different lighting modes to use. This variety of modes is a good thing—it means you can really customize the show by setting your strands to fade slowly, twinkle, flash and more.

Pros:

Reasonably priced for extra-long strangeEight lighting modes, including fun effectsEnd connectors are waterproof

Cons:

Control box is attached to strand

Length: 25 feet | Colors: Black wire, clear wire, green wire, multicolor bulb and six more options | Timer: No | Special features: End to end connectable

Large white incandescent bulbs on a strand have an absolutely timeless and classic look—they could have been used on a house you’d see in A Christmas Story, but they fit just as perfectly as part of your modern day holiday décor. Keep these in white for that look, or if you want something more bold, choose the multicolor bulbs. You can also adjust the colors of the wires for a more subtle change.

Each bulb has a small clip that can be used to fasten to a Christmas tree indoors or to your roof or gutters outdoors. Each strand comes with a spare fuse tucked into its plug. While 25 feet isn’t very long, these offer simple end to end connectors so that you can easily clip them together to create a longer strand. Another plus: one bulb going out doesn’t mean they all will. They can be replaced individually so you don’t need to buy an entire new strand.

Pros:

Multiple bulb/wire color combinations to choose fromLarge bulbs are perfect for bigger displaysBulbs can be replaced individually

Cons:

Not LED bulbsShorter-than-average strands

Length: 82 feet | Colors: Multicolor, warm white | Timer: No | Special features: Nine lighting modes, remote control

These compact but bright-colored LED lights have a unique hexagonal shape (a “transparent hexagonal prismatic lamp,” to use their precise term) that makes the lights seem to sparkle and shine even more brightly than traditionally shaped bulbs. They are waterproof and have a safe low-voltage LED bulb. The set also comes with a remote control to make them easy to operate.

They’re a great choice for adding accent lighting to a large outdoor holiday light arrangement—such as wrapping columns near a door or for framing the windows around your home. Plus, they’ll look great on a Christmas tree indoors or outdoors, and with 200 bulbs per strand—available in multicolor or warm white—only two sets would be needed to brightly light the average six- or seven-foot tree.

Pros:

Faceted bulb shape makes lights brighterBulbs are close together for a more dense appearanceNine lighting modes to choose from

Cons:

Remote is attached to light strand

Length: 6.5 feet | Colors: Multicolor | Timer: No | Special features: Easily replaceable bulbs, connectable strands

Hanging lights along the gutters of your home isn’t the only way to get into the Christmas spirit. These jumbo Brightown Christmas Pathway Lights feature large multicolor bulbs that are easy to assemble. Each 6.5-foot string has five bulbs and a set comes with two strings, meaning you get ten bulbs per order. You can also connect multiple strands together—up to a whopping 30 sets.

Thanks to their waterproof properties, these lights can hold up to snow, rain and even ice. Better yet, you can also individually replace the LED bulbs if one ever goes out. The two-pack comes with two spare fuses and two spare lights just in case.

Pros:

Oversized bulbs offer a nostalgic lookIncludes ground stakes for easy installationUp to 30 sets can be connected for longer paths

Cons:

Length: 24 feet | Colors: Multicolor, warm white, white | Timer: Yes | Special features: Eight lighting modes, battery operated

If you’re want something with a little extra pizzazz, these waterproof snowflake-shaped lights can instantly transform any home or yard into a winter wonderland. Each set comes with two 24-foot strands of battery-operated lights, which makes installation infinitely easier. (Say goodbye to searching high and low for a close, open outlet.)

Like many of our favorite outdoor lights, these come with a convenient timer function. Once turned on, the lights stay on for six hours, then automatically shut off for 18 hours. Choose between three colors: warm white, classic white and multicolor.

Pros:

Pretty snowflake-shaped LED lightsComes in packs of 24-foot strands Battery-operated strands can be placed anywhere

Cons:

Can’t be connected end-to-end

Length: 29.5 ft, 35.4 ft, 50 ft, 100 ft | Colors: Multicolor, white, warm white, white and blue and five other options | Timer: Yes | Special features: Eight lighting modes, built-in memory chip

These icicle lights are perfect for defining an entryway or the peak of a home. They have a magical, fairy-like feel to them and you can also use them to create a stunning tableau if they’re used to run the whole of your roofline.

These light strands have eight different modes, including steady on, twinkle and slo-glow. They come with a smart timer function that keeps them on for six hours and off for the remaining 18. And while you’ll likely enjoy the versatility of the crisp, cool bright white color emanating from these lights, you can also get them in warm white or a multicolor version. There are four different strand length options depending on what you’re looking for.

Pros:

Several color and length options availableHanging icicle style is ideal for rooflinesBuilt-in timer automatically turns lights off/on

Cons:

Control box is attached to strand

Length: 64 feet | Colors: Multicolor, pure white | Timer: No | Special features: End-to-end connectivity, easy installation, shatterproof

These colorful Christmas lights are on the more expensive side, but if you’re willing to pay for convenience, each of the bulbs comes with a durable clip that can be used to secure the large LED bulbs to a roofline, tree branch or anywhere else you’d like to hang your holiday lights.

Plus, the bulbs can be pivoted (without creating a crimp in the wiring), which ensures a perfect uniform look. These lights come in both multicolor and pure white options, and you can safely secure up to 33 strands of these lights, ensuring you have plenty of length to light up your display.

Pros:

Each bulb is attached to a clip for easy installationBulbs rotate 180 degreesShatterproof bulbs are ideal for outdoor use

Cons:

More expensive than many other options

Length: 62 feet | Colors: Multicolor | Timer: No | Special features: Connectable for up to three strands

When you picture a strand of Christmas lights, you’re probably visualizing something that looks just like one of the two 150-light sets found in this box of holiday lights from Sylvania. They don’t have any special features like timers or remote controls, but they’re a reliable pick that will give your home that classic holiday feel.

This company has been a trusted producer of holiday lights for generations, and they’re decidedly inexpensive, but reliable. Yes, these strands will burn out every few years, but they cost less than half as much as their LED counterparts, work indoors or outdoors and they look great.

Pros:

Classic appearance with multicolor bulbsIncludes several spare bulbs and fuses

Cons:

Length: 105 feet | Colors: 10 options, including white and multicolor | Timer: No | Special features: Eight lighting modes, connectable strands

These colorful LED Christmas lights from MZD8391 have a lifespan of more than 20,000 hours, meaning they will last for many years to come, even if you leave them up year-round! The 105-foot light strands have 300 bulbs on each, and there are 10 different color options to choose from, including warm and cool white, classic multicolor, and even options like blue, purple, and orange. Plus, you can connect up to four strands end-to-end to cover a larger area.

In addition to lasting for years, these LED Christmas lights stay cool to the touch, and they’re waterproof, as well. There are eight lighting modes to choose from, including effects like waves and chasing, and the low-voltage design won’t run up your electricity bill.

Pros:

LED lights can last for more than 20,000 hoursWide range of color optionsLow-voltage design uses minimal energy

Cons:

Control box is attached to strand

MOST POPULAR

Length: 100 feet | Colors: RGBIC | Timer: Yes | Special features: Smart connectivity, 75 lighting effects, permanent installation

Instead of climbing up a ladder every fall to hang up lights along your roofline, why not just invest in a set of these Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro and be done with it all for years to come? These smart lights come in a 100-foot length, and while they are a bit more time-consuming to install initially, they’re designed to be left up a year-round, saving you a lot of effort in the long run.

These smart LED lights can be set to any color imaginable, and there are also 75 different lighting effects you can choose via the Govee app, including holiday-specific scenes. They have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, and they even work at temperatures as low as -4 degrees, so they’ll shine all through the holiday season’s chilly days and nights. And they can light up your home during other holidays, too, or serve as accent lighting on non-festive occasions.

Pros:

Permanent installation for year-round useMillions of colors and 75 lighting effectsWi-Fi connected lights can be controlled via smartphone

Cons:

Very expensiveComplex initial installation

Length: 157 feet | Colors: RGBIC | Timer: Yes | Special features: Smart connectivity, custom lighting effects, music synching

If you’re tired of boring old Christmas lights that simply glow a warm white or multicolor all season long, well then it’s a good thing we rounded up so many outdoor Christmas lights with varied lighting effects. But if undulating, flashing, or fading lighting effects still aren’t enough to get your holiday spirit in overdrive, these programmable and music-synching lights from Twinkly will fill the gap for you.

This 157-foot long strand of lights has 600 RGB LED bulbs, each of which can be controlled via smartphone app. You can create all sorts of custom programs, having the bulbs change colors in any pattern you want, setting different groups of lights, creating waterfall or chasing effects, and much more. And you can set the lights to synchronize with music, flashing and pulsing in time as you pipe holiday hits through outdoor speakers. (And of course the lights work just as well indoors, too.)

Pros:

Custom programming via appCan be synched to musicLong 157-foot strand

Cons:

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Here at Forbes Vetted, our home experts have years of experience covering the best in holiday decor. From best Christmas ornaments to artificial Christmas trees, our team has all the bases covered. What’s more, we consider our own spaces and decorating goals when scouting for products. Like you, we want products that are dependable, worth the investment and get the job done. This story is regularly updated and was last edited in October 2023 to add more options and updated choices for our readers.

What To Look For In Outdoor Christmas Lights Weather Resistance

The most important factor when purchasing outdoor Christmas lights is that they’re appropriately rated for use in the outdoors. This should be clearly designated on the product label, and it indicates that the lights can withstand exposure to rain, snow, and even extreme temperatures.

In addition to the lights themselves being weatherproof, you’ll also want to check if the plug and/or connectors can be exposed to the elements. Some inexpensive Christmas lights do not have waterproof plugs, which means you’ll need to find a weather-protected outlet to keep them operating properly.

Bulb Type

Outdoor Christmas lights typically use either LED or incandescent light bulbs, and there are a few key differences between the two bulb types. LED lights, such as the Brizled Christmas String Lights, last for significantly longer—often 20,000 hours or more—and use less electricity. They also stay cool to the touch and sometimes may offer color-changing effects. However, most LED light strands don’t have replaceable bulbs, so you can’t replace the lights if they break.

On the other hand, incandescent bulbs, like the Minetom C9 Clear Christmas String Lights, tend to be more budget-friendly, but they have a shorter lifespan and often get warm to the touch during use.

Length

When setting up Christmas lights outdoors, you may need longer strands to work with, especially if you’re decorating your roofline, fence or dressing large trees in your yard. You’ll want to look for a strand of lights that is the right length for your particular project, and you may also want to consider whether it can be extended with additional strands. Some products, such as the Celebrations Platinum Christmas Lights, allow you to connect dozens of strands end-to-end, which means you can cover as much ground as needed on a single outlet.

Smart Home Compatibility

If you’re someone who likes to control all their gadgets from one source, you may want to look for outdoor Christmas lights that can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network. Smart lights, such as the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights, can be easily controlled from your smartphone, and they generally offer a wide range of color options, lighting effects and scheduling features.

Even if you don’t necessarily want smart lights, you may want to consider a set that comes with a remote control, such as the Brizled Christmas String Lights. This will allow you to control the lights from the ground, changing the lighting patterns or color more easily.

What Kind Of Christmas Lights Are Best For Outside?

If you’re not sure if lights are appropriate for outdoor use, hold off on investing in boxes and boxes of them until you suss out if they are appropriate for your home. In the product description, look for words like UL-certified, UL-listed or commercial grade, all of which means the bulbs are waterproof and will stand up to different types of weather without sparking or burning out. LED lights are the best option since they are safer and less flammable. They also last longer, but incandescent bulbs can also be used.

Are Outdoor Christmas Lights A Fire Hazard?

Any type of Christmas light can be a fire hazard. Most Christmas light fires are due to an electrical fire, which occurs because of a short in the circuit due to faulty wiring that leads to excessive heat and sparks. In order to avoid an electrical fire, be sure you thoroughly check the wiring of your Christmas lights before plugging them in, especially if your lights are older. Look for breaks or melted spots in the wire casing, exposed wires and loose connections. If you see any of that, replace the strand of lights or the entire set.

You should also be thoroughly inspecting any extension cord you might use for your lights. Hot bulbs are another fire risk, which is one reason LED lights are the preferred option—they simply don’t generate as much heat as incandescent lights do, making them much safer.

What Christmas Lights Do Pros Use?

For large-scale lighting displays, designers typically use professional- or commercial-grade Christmas lights, such as the Celebrations Platinum LED C7 Multicolored String Christmas Lights. These lights have a few key differences from the inexpensive Christmas lights you’ll find in most retail stores.

With commercial-grade string lights, the bulbs have a one-piece construction that makes them fully waterproof, and they’re often tested for color consistency. The lights are often made from more durable materials, as well, including thicker-gauge wire. However, because they’re higher in quality, professional-grade Christmas lights also tend to be more expensive.

What Type Of Christmas Lights Last The Longest?

If you’re tired of throwing away strands of Christmas lights after just one or two seasons of use, your best option is to invest in LED lights. LEDs are considered the longest-lasting outdoor Christmas lights—they often have an expected lifespan of more than 20,000 hours, which equates to more than two whole years of all-day operation.

There are other benefits to LED Christmas lights, as well. These bulbs are more energy efficient, and they also stay cool to the touch, making them less flammable. Plus, multicolor LED lights also will not fade in the sun as quickly as incandescent lights.

What Is The Top Christmas Light Trend For 2023?

The 2023 holiday season is almost here, and if you want to be on-trend with your seasonal decor, it looks like white lights are going to be all the rage this year. You can decorate the outside of your home with the Brizled Christmas String Lights for a more delicate look, or the Minetom C9 Clear Christmas String Lights have larger bulbs for a more nostalgic appearance. Other light trends to keep an eye out for include pretty shades of pink (inspired by Barbie, of course) and metallic decorations.