By the Castle Christmas Lights team·
4 min read·
Every year the same thing happens. Thanksgiving dinner ends, everyone looks at their dark house, and our phone melts. By then, the best install dates are gone. Here's how to avoid being that phone call.
The short answer: book in September or October
Our installation season runs September through December. Install dates are locked in the order deposits come in — first deposit, first pick. If you want your lights up before Thanksgiving, or on a specific December weekend, the safest move is to book in September or October.
Booking early also gets you our early-booking discount, which we only offer before the calendar tightens up.
Why the calendar fills from the back
Most homeowners want their lights on for the same three-week window: the week of Thanksgiving through mid-December. That's the busiest stretch of our year, and it's the first to sell out. Each install takes a crew most of a day, so there are only so many homes we can light on any given date.
September and early October dates, on the other hand, are wide open. Your lights don't have to be switched on the day they're installed — many of our customers have their display hung in October and simply flip it on when they're ready.
You accept the quote, a 50% non-refundable deposit holds your install date, and the balance is due the day we install. If we ever can't install safely, the deposit is fully refunded.
What happens if you wait until Thanksgiving
We'll still try. Every year we squeeze late callers in wherever the calendar allows — but "wherever the calendar allows" in late November usually means a weekday in mid-December, if anything. You'll also have missed the early-booking discount. The lights will look just as good; you'll just have less say in when they go up.
When do the lights come down?
Takedown starts January 1st, and we aim to have every display down no later than January 21st. Want to keep yours up a little longer? Just tell us ahead of time. Weather can occasionally shift removal dates, and we'll always let you know.
After takedown, your lights go back to our facility in labeled, color-tagged bins. Next year's re-install is already mapped — so returning customers get the easiest booking of all.
A quick planning timeline
- September: get your quote, pick your date, lock it with the deposit. Best selection, best price.
- October: still a great time to book. Installs are happening; prime December dates start disappearing.
- November: book now if you haven't. Pre-Thanksgiving dates are usually gone by the middle of the month.
- December: call and we'll do our best, but expect limited dates.
- January 1–21: takedown and storage. You do nothing.
Wondering what it'll cost first? Read how much Christmas light installation costs in Volusia County.
Lock In Your Install Date
Sixty seconds, a few questions, and a same-day quote by text. The December calendar fills first.
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