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Modern outdoor light fixtures are waterproof and weather resistant, and, provided they’re installed correctly and by a professional, the fixture and wiring can last for 20 to 30 years or more. The lifespan will depend largely on the quality of the fixture. The lifespan of the bulb will depend on the type of light you install:

• CFL bulb (for sustained use): 15,000 hours

• Halogen bulb (mostly for security): 2,000 hours

• HID bulbs (for security): 12,000 hours

• Incandescent bulb: 1,000 hours

• LED bulb: 50,000 hours

You can take a few steps to prolong the life of your holiday lights. Make sure to replace burnt-out bulbs as quickly as possible to avoid overloading the rest of the circuit and knocking out more lights. Before packing them up each year, plug each strand into the wall to confirm everything is still working. Wrap the lights carefully back into their original packaging or something similar—winding a strand tightly together or leaving it to hang loose in a storage bin can lead to frayed or damaged wiring. 

The easiest and best way to power your outdoor lights is with the use of outdoor outlets. Most building codes now require exterior outlets in homes, so you likely already have outdoor outlets available to plug into. However, you can have these outlets installed if your space doesn’t currently include them.

There are tons of different types of landscape lighting available, including the choice between solar and wired, incandescent and LED, and a variety of colors. Specific types of lighting include:

• Pathway lights: $50–$150 per fixture

• String lights: $50–$150

• Low-voltage lights: $90–$150 per fixture

• Porch lights: $65–$250 per fixture

• Floodlights: $75–$250 per fixture

• Downlights: $100–$400 per fixture

• Uplights: $100–$400 per fixture

• Security lights: $ 350–$500 per fixture

• Lamp posts: $400–$1,100 per lamp post