6 Unconventional Holiday Light Displays for a Merry and Bright Christmas

After decking the halls for Christmas, you’ll want to take your festive decor outside with a holiday light display to remember. Although classic string lighting is always beautiful to look at, why not take things up a notch with some unconventional holiday lights instead?

The Joy of Christmas Lights

There’s no greater Christmas tradition than driving around looking at light displays. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or scoping out the competition, holiday lights will make you feel Christmas cheer all season long.

According to psychologist and author Dr. Deborah Serani, Christmas decorations boost dopamine levels — the happy hormones. She attributes some of this to chromotherapy, in which the twinkling lights and colors increase energy and joy. Additionally, Christmas stirs up nostalgia for magical times when you were younger. 

Knowing you’ve brought a smile to someone’s face with your own light display is another reason seasonal decorations make you feel good. Watching cars slow down to admire your work or receiving compliments from your neighbors is satisfying. Overall, holiday lights indicate friendliness and approachability, helping foster connections with others.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas With These 6 Unique Light Displays

Rather than recreating the same holiday lighting year after year, illuminate your property with an unforgettable display. Here are six unconventional holiday light arrangements to get yourself in the festive spirit. 

1. Projector Lights

Projectors have become popular for unique holiday light displays without the added trouble of unraveling and hanging string lights. Buy a projection mapping kit and select Christmas-themed animations to project against the facade — for instance, falling snowflakes. Aim the projector at your house, and it’ll create a stunning light display with little effort on your part. 

2. Musical Light Show

If you really want to blow people away, sync your holiday lights with Christmas music. Your lights will change colors and patterns with sound effects. 

You’ll first need to purchase programmable light-emitting diode (LED) Christmas lights with a controller, allowing you to connect them to the music. The more lights you have, the more intricate your display will be. Of course, you should attach gutter clips a foot apart to ensure the lights hang correctly and don’t tangle. 

Finally, remember to set up speakers outside and choose upbeat holiday tunes for your lights to dance to.

3. Fairy Light Canopy

Capture the magic of Christmas twinkling fairy lights. Hang them high on trees or across a pergola for a canopy, and add sheer fabric for a softer effect. You don’t have to stick to white lights, either. Multicolored fairy lights are just as merry.

4. Lighted Christmas Tree Forest

Who says the living room is the only place to put a decorated Christmas tree? Arrange several small artificial trees outside to create a tree forest and make them dazzle by wrapping lights in different directions. For instance, instead of the traditional horizontal way, string them vertically so they cascade toward the ground or at an angle for a spiral design. 

For even greater variation, choose icicle lights instead of traditional ones, novelty holiday lights like stars and snowmen, or rope lights with bulbs in a transparent tube.

5. Candlelight Arrangement

LED candlelight is a timeless holiday display people often place in windows. However, you can also use them outside in unconventional arrangements.

Create a warm glow with candles clustered in different sizes by the front door. You might even place them in glass jars with holly or ribbon wrapped around the openings. Other options include hanging them from branches or putting them in lanterns for a cozy aesthetic.

6. Christmas Walkway Lights

Don’t forget to illuminate your walkway with Christmas-themed lights — these may come in white, red and green. Likewise, you can look for unique decorative lights in the shape of giant bulbs, candy canes or lanterns.

If possible, opt for LED walkway lights, as they are 80%–90% more energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs and highly durable in cold, snowy conditions.

Spread Christmas Joy With an Unexpected Light Display

An unconventional holiday light display will make others smile and stand in awe of your home this Christmas season. Share the merriness and holiday fun by decorating the outdoors in unexpected ways.

Bring your holiday light display ideas to life with the DecorMatters app! Design your dream outdoor wonderland, explore creative lighting layouts, and visualize every twinkling detail before setting up. Download the app today to bring your festive vision to life and make this Christmas truly merry and bright!

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This article was written exclusively for DecorMatters by Evelyn Long. Evelyn is a writer passionate about simplifying interior design for homeowners and renters alike. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine where she shares her expertise on interiors.