If you’re getting started with your Christmas display for the season, do you really want to consider doing a Halloween light display? Should you keep it simple or go all out? In this post, we’re going to cover the pros and cons of setting up a Halloween display.
As we’re making this video and post, we’re in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Life in general has looked very different and presented some challenges, could having a lighting display help make life feel a little more normal during the holidays?
Pros of a Halloween Display
Whether this is your first year or you’ve been doing displays for a few years, should you consider doing a lighting display for Halloween? Last year, I had already set up my permanent outline lights on the house. These stay up all year and when done right, no passersby will even notice them.
Since the lights were already up, I decided to make a quick color change and light them up for Halloween.

This was super easy since the lights were there and it made it fun for the kids during the holiday.
Setting up a Halloween display is a great reason to let you set up your lights for Christmas a little early. If you already have your lights, xLights, and controller ready to go, what does it hurt to bring them out a little earlier? Who doesn’t like the thought of setting up lights in warmer weather?
This will allow you to set up before it gets cold, test out your lights, controller, ad to make sure everything works as it should. If you have specific Christmas props, just leave those out until it’s closer to Christmas. Not to mention, if anything should go wrong, you won’t have as big of an audience as you would during Christmas.
The Cons of a Halloween Display
The only con to a Halloween display would be the time involved to programs the sequences for your lights. If you prefer, there are those that sell both Halloween and Christmas light sequences if you want to to take that route instead.
If you want to create a sequence you can add or leave out the music. For adding music, you may just want to consider setting out a small speaker during Trick or Treat to go with the theme and your lights.
This is completely optional but easier to manage and your neighbors will most likely not mind with everyone out and about.
Tips and Tricks
My suggestions are if you decide to do a Halloween display, just keep nit simple and have fun with it. There’s no pressure in going all out and keep it to be a quick and easy set up.
If you have the extra time and energy, then consider busting out a fog machine, Halloween props, and spooky lighting effects for the kids. It’s completely up to you.
Whether you want to keep it simple or go all out for, just remember that either way your neighbors and those trick or treating will absolutely love it.