How to Put Christmas Lights on a Timer (3 Easy Ways)
How to put Christmas lights on a timer three ways – mechanical timer, dusk-to-dawn photocell or outdoor smart plug – plus safe wattage limits.
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In this article
- Option 1: A mechanical timer (simplest)
- Option 2: A dusk-to-dawn photocell timer (set and forget)
- Option 3: An outdoor smart plug (most control)
- How many lights can one timer handle?
- FAQ
- What’s the best way to put outdoor Christmas lights on a timer?
- Why does my timer turn the lights on at the wrong time?
- What time should Christmas lights turn on and off?
- Can I use a smart plug and a timer together?
- Can I put indoor Christmas tree lights on a timer?
Putting your Christmas lights on a timer takes about five minutes and means no more late-night trips outside to unplug them. There are three ways to do it. Pick one based on how much control you want.
Quick answer: for fixed on/off times, use a cheap mechanical outdoor timer. To have lights switch on when it gets dark without any app, use a dusk-to-dawn photocell timer. For sunset schedules plus phone and voice control, use an outdoor smart plug such as the Kasa EP40M. Whichever you choose, stay under 80% of its rated load (about 1,440 W on a 15 A plug).
| Method | Best for | Control | Needs Wi-Fi? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical timer | Simple, fixed on/off times | Push pins on a 24-hour dial | No |
| Photocell (dusk-to-dawn) timer | Lights on when it gets dark | Light sensor + hours setting | No |
| Outdoor smart plug | Phone, voice and sunset schedules | App, Alexa, Google, Apple Home | Yes (2.4 GHz) |
Option 1: A mechanical timer (simplest)
- Plug the timer into your outdoor outlet.
- Push down the pins for the hours you want the lights on (for example, 5 pm to 11 pm).
- Turn the dial until the arrow points to the current time.
- Plug your lights into the timer and set its switch to “timer” or “auto”.
The downside: fixed times don’t follow the sunset, and a power cut can knock the clock out of sync.
BN-LINK Outdoor 24-Hour Mechanical Timer
An outdoor-rated dial timer with two grounded outlets. No batteries, no programming, nothing to connect.
Option 2: A dusk-to-dawn photocell timer (set and forget)
A photocell timer has a light sensor that switches the lights on when it gets dark. Most let you choose to switch off at dawn or after a set number of hours. That means it adapts automatically as the days get shorter through December.
- Place the timer so its sensor can see daylight and isn’t lit by a porch light or the decorations themselves.
- Choose a mode, such as “on at dusk, off after 6 hours”.
- Plug in the lights.
Woods 50013WD Outdoor Digital Photocell Timer
Turns on at dusk and off at dawn, or at dusk and off 1–9 hours later, with single-button programming. One grounded outlet in a weatherproof housing.
Option 3: An outdoor smart plug (most control)
A smart plug connects to your Wi-Fi so you can set sunset-based schedules, switch lights from your phone, and use voice commands like “Alexa, turn off the Christmas lights.” Models with two outlets can run separate schedules for, say, the roof and the yard.
- Plug the smart plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet and install the brand’s app.
- Add the plug to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
- Create a schedule, such as “on at sunset, off at 11 pm”, and optionally link it to Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home.
For the full setup, see how to make outdoor Christmas lights smart. Our comparison of the best outdoor smart plugs for Christmas lights covers weather ratings and compatibility. For most homes we suggest the Kasa EP40M.
See the Kasa EP40M on AmazonHow many lights can one timer handle?
Check the rating printed on the timer or plug. Many outdoor models are rated 15 amps, which is 1,800 watts at 120 volts. For lights left on for hours at a time, a common rule of thumb is to stay under 80% of the rating (about 1,440 W).
- LED strings use very little power. Check the wattage on the box or tag, which is often single digits for a short mini-light string.
- Incandescent strings use many times more, so they add up quickly.
- Add together the wattage of everything plugged in, including inflatables and projectors – or let our Christmas lights calculator do the math.
FAQ
What’s the best way to put outdoor Christmas lights on a timer?
For “set and forget”, use a dusk-to-dawn photocell timer. If you want phone or voice control and sunset schedules, use an outdoor smart plug.
Why does my timer turn the lights on at the wrong time?
Mechanical timers lose time after a power cut, so reset the dial. Photocell timers can be fooled by nearby lights; move the sensor away from porch lights and the decorations.
What time should Christmas lights turn on and off?
A popular schedule is on at dusk and off at 10 or 11 pm. A photocell timer or a smart plug’s sunset schedule handles the “on” time for you as the days get shorter; you only choose when they switch off.
Can I use a smart plug and a timer together?
There’s no need – a smart plug already includes schedules. If you have a photocell timer you like, keep it for one set of lights and use a smart plug for decorations you want to control from your phone.
Can I put indoor Christmas tree lights on a timer?
Yes. Use an indoor plug-in timer or an indoor smart plug – see the best smart plug for a Christmas tree. The same wattage rules apply.
More ideas for the season: our holiday gift guide and the latest smart home guides.
