2026–27 Season Guide

How Much Do Christmas Lights Cost to Run?

Compare LED vs. incandescent electricity usage, estimate your seasonal bill, and see how much you can save this holiday season.

$/kWh

No sign-up required • Updated for 2026 • Built for fast holiday planning

1 Add Your Lights

High Cost
strands (25ft)
strands (100ct)
Saver
strands (25ft)
strands (100ct)

2 Usage Time

hrs
1h 12h 24h

Estimated Cost

For the whole season (31 days)

$ 0.00

Daily Cost

$0.00

Power Load

0 W

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Upgrade & Save: Best Rated LED Lights

💡

C9 Roofline LEDs

Best for rooflines & gutters. Uses 90% less energy.

Check Price →
🎄

Mini String LEDs

Perfect for wrapping trees & bushes.

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Smart App Lights

Control colors from your phone. Built-in timers.

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Why Calculate Your Christmas Light Cost?

It’s a holiday tradition to deck the halls, but for many families, the January electric bill is a nasty surprise. Older incandescent bulbs (especially the large C9 ones) are notoriously inefficient.

🚫 Incandescent C9

Uses ~7 watts per bulb. A typical roofline can cost over $100 to run per season.

✅ LED C9

Uses ~0.06 watts per bulb. The same roofline costs less than $2 to run.

By using our Christmas Light Cost Calculator, you can make informed decisions before you hang your lights. If you have old strings, check their wattage. Often, buying new LED lights pays for itself in just one season of electricity savings.

Typical wattage by light type

Estimates assume 5 hours per day for 31 days at the U.S. average residential rate of about $0.18/kWh.

Light type Typical watts Season cost estimate
Incandescent mini (100 bulbs)~41 W~$1.14 per strand
Incandescent C9 (25 bulbs)~175 W~$4.88 per strand
LED mini (100 bulbs)~5 W~$0.13 per strand
LED C9 (25 bulbs)~2.4 W~$0.07 per strand

Christmas light electricity FAQ

Are LED Christmas lights cheaper to run?

Yes. LED strands typically draw 90%+ less power than comparable incandescent strands, so the same display costs a small fraction of the electricity to operate.

How much does it cost to run Christmas lights for a month?

A handful of LED strands run for well under a dollar a month. A large incandescent C9 roofline can cost $30–$100+ depending on how many strands, how many hours a day, and your local electricity rate.

How do I lower my holiday light electricity bill?

Switch to LED, use a timer to cap hours at 4–6 per day, and turn lights off overnight. LED replacements often pay for themselves within a single season.

Planning a full display?

Electricity is only part of the picture. Compare DIY vs. professional installation, or explore permanent lighting costs.

Install cost calculator Permanent lights cost