There is something about pulling into the driveway on a dark December evening and seeing the house lit up. There is also something about standing on an icy ladder in November, untangling a string of lights that worked last year. Professional holiday light installation gives you the first without the second.
Here is how it works, when to book, and what to look for.
Why timing matters
Holiday lighting in Minnesota runs on a tight calendar. Installers want to get lights up before the ground freezes, the roof ices over, and the snow arrives. That pushes most installs into October and November, and the good dates go first.
A typical year looks like this:
- Late summer or early fall. Book your install and settle on a design.
- October and November. Lights go up while the weather is still workable.
- Around Thanksgiving. Lights go on, often with a timer so you never have to think about them.
- After the holidays. Lights come down once the season is over.
- The rest of the year. Lights are stored and ready for next season.
If you wait until the first snow to call, you may find the calendar full.
What professional installation includes
A full service holiday lighting setup usually covers four things.
- Design. Rooflines, peaks, windows, trees, shrubs, and walkways. A good design highlights the shape of your home without overdoing it.
- Installation. Lights are fit to your home and attached with clips made for gutters and shingles, not nails or staples.
- Takedown. Once the season is over, everything comes down carefully.
- Storage. Lights are labeled and stored until next year, so they go back up in the same places.
Safety is a big reason to hire it out
Every year, people get hurt hanging lights. Ladders on frozen ground, wet roofs, and reaching too far are a bad mix. If you do it yourself, a few rules help.
- Use lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use
- Plug into outdoor outlets with GFCI protection
- Don’t overload a single outlet or circuit
- Never staple through a cord
- Have someone hold the ladder, and stay off icy roofs
LED lights are the way to go
LED holiday lights use far less electricity than older incandescent strings, run cooler, and last longer. Warm white LEDs give the classic glow many people want, and colored LEDs are bright and crisp.
Permanent lights
Permanent trim lights are mounted along the roofline and stay up all year. They are nearly invisible in daylight, and you control them from your phone. Set them for the holidays, game days, birthdays, or soft white every night of the year.
They cost more up front than seasonal lights, but there is no ladder work every fall. If you plan to stay in your home for a while and love lights, they are worth a look.
For businesses
Storefronts, office buildings, and HOA entrances benefit from a polished holiday display. Customers notice, and it signals that the property is cared for. Commercial displays follow the same calendar, so book early.
How we handle holiday lighting
Eminence Services offers custom lighting design, professional installation, takedown after the season, and storage until next year, all handled by our own crew. We also offer permanent, programmable trim lights installed by a licensed partner that we manage and guarantee, plus holiday displays for businesses.
We are booking now for the 2027 holiday season, with installs starting in October 2027. Permanent lighting starts in August 2027. Every member saves 5% to 15% on holiday lighting, and commercial Elite plans include a holiday lighting display.
See our holiday lighting service, or request a free quote.
Holiday lighting questions
When should I book holiday light installation?
Early. Fall install dates fill up fast, so book in late summer or early fall.
When do the lights come down?
After the holidays. We take them down and store them until next year.
Do you offer permanent lights?
Yes. Permanent trim lights are installed by a licensed partner and can be programmed for holidays, game days, and every day.
Will clips damage my gutters or shingles?
Clips made for gutters and shingles are designed to hold lights without nails, staples, or holes.
