‘Tis the season for driving around and admiring the houses decked out in festive Christmas lights. Maybe with some hot chocolate and holiday tunes playing in the car? If you're dreaming of creating a dazzling animated Christmas light display around your house, you might be wondering about the cost. In this article, we'll break down the expenses involved in building a basic to intermediate-sized show, considering factors like pixels, controllers, and other essential components.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the costs, let's clarify some key terms:

• Pixels: Individual lights that can be controlled to create patterns and animations.
• Controllers: Devices that manage the timing and sequencing of lights.
• Props: Physical structures like trees, arches, and snowflakes that hold the pixels.
• xLights: A free, open-source software program that allows you to design, create, and play amazing lighting displays and set them to music

Building a Sample Show

To estimate costs, let's consider a hypothetical show with:

• 1 Boscoyo MegaTree BIG kit plus a pole and mounting strip (for 16x100 pixel mega tree)
• 10 Boscoyo ChromaFlakes 36” snowflake props
• 3 Boscoyo Icicle 100 coro sets
• 6 Gilbert HD Pixel Trim Starter Kits for window frames
• 1 Kulp K16 pixel controller from Wired Watts
• 4 Falcon smart receivers with power supplies and cords from Wired Watts
• Pixel lights and extensions from Above AVL

Laying out the display in xLights

Before shopping, you'll need to do a rough layout in xLights to figure out what you need. For this hypothetical display, I started with a 16x100 pixel mega tree, then added some more props – there are many models available for xLights from a variety of manufacturers. I chose 10 Boscoyo snowflakes, three sets of icicles, and six Gilbert window frames (I kept the standard dimensions).

Find icicles and window frame options in the top menu bar:

My main show controller currently is a Kulp K16, so we’ll add that and some smart receivers and then load it up with our props. Obviously location and distance of all your props in the yard matters, but technically we can fit all this onto one K16 with smart receivers, which is pretty cool.

If this is all new to you, check out Learn Christmas Lighting Academy, where we teach how to do all of this step by step and update it every year!

Breaking Down the Costs

Now that we know what we want in the display, it's time to shop. At this point, create a spreadsheet to organize your list and add up the totals. 

1. Pixels:
   • Evo Pixels: A budget-friendly option, costing around $0.63 per pixel.
   • Higher-end Pixels: More expensive but offer better brightness and color accuracy.
   • How many to buy? In xLights, go to Tools > Export Models. When you open the CSV file, it should look something like the screenshot below, and adding up the Light Count column will give you a pixel count. Estimate the number of strings by rounding up. For example, if the light count is 96 for a prop, you’ll need a 100-count pixel string. Let’s go with 39 strands of 100-count EVO pixels for this hypothetical setup.
2. Controllers:
   • Consider the number of pixels and the complexity of your show to determine the specific controller and receiver needs.
   • I recommend buying the Kulp K16 and Falcon smart receivers at Wiredwatts.com, they have a great controller builder that makes it easy to get a price with all the parts you need. 
3. Props and Accessories:
   • The cost of props varies widely depending on the materials and complexity.
   • DIY props can be more cost-effective, while pre-built options offer convenience.
   • On the Boscoyo and Gilbert sites, add up all the props and kits listed earlier.
   • I also added rows for extension cords and miscellaneous supplies like plastic storage bins, an FM transmitter to play music, and the megatree pole. 
4. Power Supplies, Wiring, and Miscellaneous:
   • Ensure you have adequate power supplies to handle the load of your lights.
   • Proper wiring is crucial for safety and performance.
5. Additional Considerations
   
   • Shipping Costs: Factor in shipping costs, especially for larger orders.
   • Labor Costs: If you're hiring professionals to install or program your show, consider additional labor costs.
   • Future-Proofing: Plan for potential expansions and upgrades to your display.

Conclusion

Using EVO pixels, the total cost breaks down to about $.80/pixel. If you prefer bullet pixels, the cost comes out to about $.82 per “finished” pixel.

So this is pretty close to the old standard of a “dollar per pixel” – if you DIY things yourself and bought options on the lower end, you can probably get closer to $.80/pixel. There’s always ways to spend more money, of course! Moving heads, more/bigger props, lasers, fog machines – the sky’s the limit these days when it comes to Christmas light shows, and we’ve got a lot of it at Above AVL.

While the cost of building an animated Christmas light display can vary, it's still possible to create a stunning show within a reasonable budget. By carefully planning your design, choosing the right components, and considering DIY options, you can bring your holiday vision to life.

Remember: The beauty of a Christmas light display lies not only in its visual impact but also in the joy it brings to you and your community. We would love to help you at Learn Christmas Lighting!