We get this question all the time—and the short answer is: yes, you can... but should you?
Whether you're a homeowner wanting to save time, or an installer working with a client who’s asking this, here’s everything you need to know about leaving seasonal Christmas lights up all year.
💡 Yes, You Can—But It Comes With Risks
- ☀️ UV Damage: Over time, sunlight will fade your bulbs—especially white ones, which often develop a yellow tint within the first 1–2 seasons.
- 🔌 Socket & Wire Breakdown: Even the best socket wire and clips (especially SPT-1) are designed for temporary use only. Prolonged exposure makes them brittle and prone to breaking.
- ⚠️ Not a Fire Risk (With LED): Thankfully, most professional LED Christmas lights won’t cause fire issues. But visual wear and tear happens fast.
Most pro installers recommend removing seasonal lights after 90–120 days to preserve their look and function for 3–5 years of reuse.
🔧 Why Seasonal Wire Isn't Built for Long-Term Use
Most socket wire and zip cord used in Christmas light installations is rated as SPT-1 or SPT-2—designed for temporary seasonal use only.
- 🧵 SPT-1: More common, more affordable, and widely used by pros for standard installs.
- 🛡️ SPT-2: Thicker insulation and slightly more durable—but still not made to endure constant UV, wind, or ice for 12+ months straight.
Eventually, both wire types and the attached clips will become brittle, discolored, and more likely to crack or break.
✅ The Better Option: Permanent Holiday Lighting
If you love the idea of having year-round lighting for holidays, game days, or summer nights, you’re better off going permanent.
Permanent lighting systems like InvisiLights are designed to blend in during the day and shine bright at night—without the wear and tear of traditional seasonal installs.
- 🎯 Discreet and Low-Profile: Invisible during the day, fully customizable at night
- 🌈 Year-Round Customization: Any color, any pattern, any day
- 🔋 Low Voltage & App-Controlled: Safe, efficient, and easy to manage
🎯 Homeowners: Find a Dealer Near You
👉 Click here to find an InvisiLights installer in your area
📈 Installers: Become a Dealer
👉 Click here to learn how to offer InvisiLights in your business
🧠 Final Thoughts
Leaving up seasonal Christmas lights year-round might seem like a time-saver—but in most cases, it leads to fading bulbs, brittle wires, and disappointed customers by year two.
If you want a year-round solution that lasts—and looks good doing it—go permanent with InvisiLights.
Built for pros. Designed to last. Invisible until it’s time to shine.
