Short answer: for a party, think path, perimeter and one focal point. Low-voltage fixtures on a timer give you light without cords across the lawn, and string or event lighting adds fun for the night. Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture, and holiday and event lighting is $10–$15/ft installed.
Why cords are the problem
Every summer party yard has the same trouble: extension cords. They run from the kitchen window, across the grass, over a step and under a table. Someone trips. A cord gets wet in the sprinkler spray or the afternoon thunderstorm. Plugs pop apart. By the end of the night the lights are the least comfortable part of the event.
The cure is to put the permanent light in the ground once and treat decorations as add-ons. A permanent low-voltage system handles paths, steps and trees. You only need power for whatever you hang.
What guests need to see
| Area | What matters | Good light |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival and driveway | Finding the door | Path lights, a lit entry |
| Walkways and steps | Safe footing | Low, shielded path and step lights |
| Seating and tables | Faces and food | Soft overhead or wall wash |
| Bar and grill | Task light | A focused, warm source |
| Edges of the yard | Sense of space | Uplit trees or fence wash |
| Restrooms route | Easy to find | Marked path |
How to light a party, step by step
- Walk the route a guest would take from car to yard and back.
- Light every step and change in level first. Falls are what ruin parties.
- Add soft light where people stand and sit.
- Pick one or two features, such as a large tree or the back of the house, and uplight them.
- Put the permanent lights on a timer, so they come on at dusk without you.
- Add temporary decor last, keeping cords short and plugged into a covered outlet.
- Test it at full dark the day before, not an hour before guests arrive.
Temporary versus permanent
For an event that happens once, hanging string lights is reasonable. For a house that hosts every summer, permanent lights pay off, because they work every night, not just party night. Holiday and event lighting is $10–$15/ft installed, which suits a one-off need such as a wedding tent or a graduation party. For returning clients, we reinstall your stored lighting each season. See our holiday lighting page.
Safe power for a party
Plug temporary lights into outdoor outlets that are protected by a GFCI, and keep plugs off the ground and away from sprinkler spray. If you have an irrigation system on a timer, check it so a zone does not run in the middle of the event. That is a small step that prevents big embarrassment, and it is part of the reason our irrigation and lighting crews work together.
What if the lights you have are dim
A run of dim lights usually means corroded connections or too many fixtures on one wire. If lights are out before a big weekend, our minimum service call is $95, and we offer same-day service. We also design new layouts at dusk on your property, with a live demo, so you see it before you commit.
After the party
A good party setup should be easy to put away. Unplug temporary lights before you touch them, keep cords and connectors off wet ground overnight, and bring in anything not rated for outdoors if a storm is coming. Permanent landscape lights, on a timer, keep running as normal. If the party left fixtures knocked over, a path light bent or a head broken by a table leg, a service call fixes it in one visit. Our crew can also take down event lighting we install.
When to call us
Call when you want a yard ready for guests, when the lights have stopped working before a party or when you want temporary event lighting installed clean and taken down after. We answer day and night, and we are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our landscape lighting design page.
FAQ
How do I light a backyard party without extension cords? Install permanent low-voltage lighting for paths and features, then limit temporary lights to a few short, protected runs.
What lighting makes a party feel welcoming? Warm, low-level light on steps, seating and trees.
How much does event lighting cost? Holiday and event lighting is $10–$15/ft installed. Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture.
Can you take the lights down after the event? Yes. Our holiday and event lighting is installed clean, with takedown.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.