How to Score Cheap Christmas Lights After New Year's
Check early-January leftovers for half-price LED strings, verify safety labels, and test each strand before storing.
To score cheap Christmas lights after New Year's, shop twice: December 26-28 for more choice, then early January for deeper cuts. Start December 26, when lighting often starts at half price, and revisit stores for further markdowns on remaining stock. Clearance means leftover seasonal stock marked down to clear shelves.
Your trade-off is simple: go early for specific colors and lengths, wait if any working string will do.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
When to go and what cuts to expect
ConsumerAffairs describes two waves: December 26-28 for wider choice, then early January for deeper cuts ConsumerAffairs after-Christmas playbook. It notes Home Depot, Lowe's, Target and Walmart often start at 50% off December 26. For lights, trees and storage bins, 50%-75% off is typical.
If you need a set length or color, go in the first wave. If you can use any white or multicolor string, waiting can lower the price, but the bin may hold only odd lengths.
Which clearance strings lower next year's bill
Hydro-Québec reports single-color ENERGY STAR LED strings can use about 90% less energy than incandescents, while multicolor strings use about 75% less Hydro-Québec Christmas-lights guide. It also notes certified bulbs carry at least a three-year warranty. That makes LED strings the practical clearance pick when you pay the power bill.
Compare strand length and bulb count before you choose. A longer low-draw LED strand can cost less to run than a short incandescent set.
How to spot a safety-tested box
UL Solutions states indoor-only strings carry a green holographic label, while indoor-outdoor strings carry a red label UL Solutions decorative-lighting bulletin. Both are tested to UL/ANSI 588. Check the label before you buy, even on a sealed discount box.
Match the label to your plan. Buy red-label strings for porches, eaves and yards.
Why test every string before you store it
The CPSC guidance notes the deepest January discounts apply only to leftover in-store stock, so colors, lengths and smart or timer features sell out early CPSC holiday-light safety release. Assume the shelf holds returns, floor models and open boxes. Plug in each strand in the store aisle when outlets allow, or at home before packing: Keep only strands that light fully and hold steady.
Plug in every clearance string before you pack it away.
- plug in the full strand and check every bulb
- flex plugs and joints gently and watch for flicker
- keep receipts and spare fuses with the strand