Erie, PA Holiday Outdoor Lighting!

1. New Year’s Eve: A Brilliant Start to the Year

String Lights: Drape colorful string lights along the porch, patio or deck or along a balcony railing.
Lanterns & LED Candles: Create a soft glow with candles inside lanterns lining walkways or doorsteps.
LED Projectors: Some people project glittery New Year’s-themed graphics onto their homes.

New Year's Eve marks the beginning of the festive cycle, and in Erie, outdoor lighting is essential in creating a glamorous and celebratory atmosphere. While not traditionally as elaborate as other holidays, some people adorn their homes with twinkling lights, lanterns, and illuminated signs that read "Happy New Year." In cities across the globe, large-scale light displays—such as those at Times Square in New York—become the focal point of the celebration.

The Magic of Erie, PA Holiday Outdoor Lighting: Brightening Every Season!

Erie is a beautiful place all year round. And especially in Erie, holiday outdoor lighting is more than just a trend—it’s a tradition. Each year, as the calendar turns to a new season or holiday, homes and public spaces light up in celebration.

From the sparkle of winter holiday lights to the warm glow of summer festivals, outdoor lighting plays a key role in creating festive atmospheres. On this page, we’ll explore the different ways people decorate their homes, places of business and public spaces with lights for each major holiday, in chronological order throughout the year. Ready? Let's get illuminated!

2. Valentine’s Day: Soft & Romantic Glow. Show The World Some Love.

Heart-Shaped Lights: Hang heart-shaped fairy lights along windows or porch railings.
Candlelit Pathways: Line the walkway with battery-operated candles or lanterns for a warm, inviting look.
String Lights: Pink or red string lights can be used around window frames or in trees and bushes.

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, and outdoor lighting often takes a more intimate and romantic turn. Soft pinks, reds, and whites are the colors of choice, with people illuminating their homes and gardens with heart-shaped string lights, LED candles, and lanterns.

3. St. Patrick’s Day: The Green Glow and Some Irish Luck!

Green LED Lights: Use green bulbs to wash your front yard or tree in a festive glow.
Shamrock Lights: Small shamrock-shaped string lights can add a whimsical touch.
Fairy Lights: Drape green, white and/or yellow fairy lights across the porch or windows for a magical look.

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, brings a touch of green to everything—from clothing to decorations—and lighting is no exception. Homes often display green lighting or adorn their yards with shamrock-shaped lights. Is Spring in the air?

4. Easter: Bright & Springlike

Pastel String Lights: Light pink, lavender, or soft yellow lights can be strung across the porch or along flowerbeds.
Garden Path Lights: Use soft white or pastel-colored garden lights to guide guests to your home.
Bunny & Egg Lights: Decorate trees or bushes with bunny- and egg-shaped lights for a playful look.

Easter is a holiday that celebrates renewal and rebirth, coinciding with the arrival of spring. Outdoor lighting for Easter tends to be soft and pastel, highlighting flowers, eggs, and bunnies.

5. Memorial Day: Honoring with Light

Flag-Inspired Lighting: Use red, white, and blue string lights to illuminate your home’s entrance or garden.
Patriotic Lanterns: Create a vintage effect with lanterns designed in red, white, and blue.
Candlelit Tributes: Many choose to light candles in honor of fallen soldiers, adding a quiet and respectful glow to the yard.

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday of May, is a time to honor and remember those who have served in the U.S. military. Outdoor lighting for Memorial Day often involves red, white, and blue themes, with an emphasis on patriotism and solemnity.

6. Independence Day: Bold & Brilliant

Red, White, and Blue String Lights: Drape these lights around the porch, railings, or trees.
Flag Motifs: Incorporate LED light-up flags or patriotic symbols to add a festive vibe.
Fireworks Projectors: For homes in areas where fireworks may not be available, projectors that simulate fireworks can offer a fun, festive alternative.

Fourth of July is one of the most visually spectacular holidays in terms of outdoor lighting. People decorate with bright, bold lights to celebrate America’s independence, often in conjunction with fireworks displays.

7. Halloween: Spooky & Spectacular

Orange and Purple Lights: String orange and purple lights around windows and doors to set the spooky tone.
Pumpkin Lights: Use carved pumpkin lanterns or LED lights shaped like pumpkins to create a Halloween feel.
Ghostly Projections: Light projectors can cast ghost or bat images on your home’s exterior.

Halloween, which falls on October 31st, invites some of the most creative outdoor lighting displays. People use lighting to evoke a spooky atmosphere with an eerie glow, creating a haunted look with lights, shadows, and fog machines.

8. Thanksgiving: Warmth & Elegance

Warm White Lights: String warm white lights along the roofline or fence to create an inviting feel.
Fall Lanterns: Add charm with lanterns that cast a soft, golden glow along walkways or around the porch.
Autumnal Decorations: Complement your lighting with wreaths, pumpkins, or other autumn elements illuminated by soft spotlights.

While Thanksgiving doesn’t boast the dramatic lighting displays of Christmas or Halloween, it’s a time for warmth and gratitude. Outdoor lighting for Thanksgiving tends to be subtle, with amber or gold hues evoking the season’s colors.

9. Christmas: The Grand Finale of Holiday Lights

Icicle Lights: Hang icicle lights from eaves to simulate the appearance of frozen snow.
Animated Displays: Many people use animated lighting displays featuring Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowmen.
Colored String Lights: A classic for Christmas, these lights are perfect for trees, bushes, and rooftops.
Outdoor Trees: Decorate large trees in the front yard with colorful lights, bows, and ornaments for a dramatic effect.
Light-up Figures: Santa, his reindeer, and snowmen are common light-up decorations that can be placed on lawns.

Christmas is undoubtedly the holiday most synonymous with outdoor lighting. From November through December, homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods light up with festive displays. This is the time of year for grand, elaborate lighting displays, ranging from simple white lights to full-blown winter wonderlands.

10. New Year's Eve (Again): Reflecting and Restarting

Glow-in-the-Dark Lights: Add some glow-in-the-dark features to your yard to bring a magical, subtle shine.
Twinkling Lights: Keep the ambiance light with twinkling fairy lights scattered across bushes or trees.
Frosted Lights: Create a wintery, frosted effect to symbolize the transition to the new year.

The cycle of holiday outdoor lighting culminates with New Year’s Eve, and it’s a time to reflect on the year gone by and celebrate the new one. While the lights may come down after the first of the year, many still leave a few twinkling lights up for a touch of brightness to carry them into the next cycle of celebrations.

The Year-Round Beauty of Holiday Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor holiday lighting brings joy, warmth, and festivity to every season. From the romantic glow of Valentine’s Day to the exuberant sparkle of Christmas lights, holiday lighting enhances the atmosphere of our homes and communities. While certain holidays are known for extravagant displays, all holidays can be made brighter with just a little creativity and a few well-placed lights. Why Do We Love Holiday Lights?

Holiday outdoor lighting not only beautifies our homes, but it also connects us to traditions, memories, and a sense of community. Whether it's for celebrating a religious or cultural tradition or simply for the joy of adding some brightness to the dark months, holiday lights remind us that every season has its own unique charm.Sustainable Lighting Options

While holiday lighting is beautiful, it's also important to consider sustainability. LED lights use far less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and there are now solar-powered options that can illuminate your outdoor spaces without increasing your electric bill. Additionally, smart lighting systems allow you to control the brightness and timing of your lights, reducing energy usage.