Residential · Summit
Christmas light installation in Summit, NJ
Victorian charm, lit up right.
Summit has some of the most varied homes in northern New Jersey, from porch-wrapped Victorians to Tudor Revivals and stately Colonials. Our Christmas light installation in Summit follows the lines of each house, so the lights look like they belong there.
Yes, we light homes in Summit. We are about 15 minutes away, installs start in September, and our last install date before Christmas is December 10.
A town of many styles
Summit's historic neighborhoods read like a tour of American house styles. Streets such as Hobart Avenue and Beekman Terrace are known for Queen Anne, Shingle, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival homes built between the 1890s and the early 1900s.
A Queen Anne with a turret and a Colonial Revival with a symmetrical front need very different lighting. We start by learning what makes your house special, then use light to show it off: eaves, porches, and gables for the Victorians, clean and balanced lines for the Colonials.
Summit home styles we light
Queen Anne & Victorian homes
Gables, turrets, and porch rails traced in warm white light that highlights the detail.
Tudor Revival homes
Steep rooflines and half-timbered fronts outlined so the character shows after dark.
Colonial Revival homes
Balanced rooflines, symmetrical windows, and a wreath-ready front door, kept classic and clean.
Porches, railings & stoops
Soft light along porch edges and steps for a welcome that is bright and safe.
Every design is made for your home.
Lighting that respects old houses
Older homes deserve gentle handling. We clip lights to your roof and trim instead of nailing or stapling, so there is nothing to patch when the season ends.
Downtown Summit is full of businesses that feel the pull of the season. If you run a shop, restaurant, or office, our storefront and retail lighting can bring the same glow to your front door.
A closer look at Summit's streets
Summit is a town that people walk. The downtown, the train station, and the neighborhoods around them are close enough that on a December evening you will find families strolling to dinner and neighbors admiring each other's porches. Lights here are seen at walking speed, up close, and that raises the bar for tidiness and detail.
The hills matter, too. Summit rises from its downtown toward quiet streets of larger homes, and a house on a slope is seen from below as well as from the front. We think about those angles when we plan the lights, so the display looks balanced to someone walking up the street, not only to someone standing in the yard.
Because Summit has so many historic homes, we pay special attention to trim and detail. Porch brackets, fish-scale shingles, and turned railings are part of what makes a Victorian special. We choose lighting that leaves those details visible, and we place it so the house looks like itself with a festive glow.
Holiday lighting designs for Summit
Most displays combine a few of these design types. Here is how each one works on Summit homes.
Roofline lighting
Roofline lighting on a Summit Victorian follows the gables, dormers, and eaves, bringing out the layered shapes that make these houses special.
Wreaths
Wreaths in each front window and on the door suit Summit's Colonial Revivals, where symmetry makes a matched set look polished.
Garlands
Garland wrapped around porch posts and draped along railings is a natural fit for Summit's many wraparound porches.
Tree and shrub wraps
Wrapped street trees and foundation shrubs add warmth at walking height, which matters on streets where neighbors stroll.
Windows and doors
Window and door framing highlights the bays, turrets, and carved entries common to Summit's historic neighborhoods.
Porches and pathways
Porch edges, steps, and front walks glow gently, making evening visits easy and welcoming.
Lighting ideas for Summit homes
Outline the porch
On a Victorian, run light along the porch roof and railings. It makes the porch glow like a stage and brings the details forward.
Highlight the turret
A turret or bay window is a natural focal point. A simple line around its roof or base gives the house a signature look.
Keep Colonials crisp
On a Colonial Revival, even lines along the roof and a framed front door are all it needs. The balance of the house does the work.
Light the steps and walk
Steps and front walks are used constantly in December. Soft light along their edges adds welcome and safety.
How it works in Summit
- 1
Get your design
Tell us about your home and see a lighting design made for it.
- 2
Meet us for your quote
We visit, walk the property, and give you a clear quote.
- 3
We install
Our licensed and insured crew hangs your lights with roof-safe clips.
- 4
Takedown and storage
We take the lights down in January and store them until next season.
Why Summit homeowners choose Jolly Watts
Matched to your architecture
A Victorian and a Colonial get different designs, because they are different houses.
Gentle on historic details
Roof-safe clips and careful handling around trim, shingles, and porches.
Full warranty
A full warranty on our installation, so you are covered if something is not right. Storm and flood damage excluded.
Getting ready for your install
If your Summit home is in a historic neighborhood, check with the city about any rules for exterior changes before we begin. Our lights clip on without nails or staples and come off without a trace, which suits most situations, but it is worth confirming.
At the design visit we will look at your porch, roof, and trees, and talk through the style you want. We will then send a clear quote, schedule the install, and take care of everything through takedown in January.
Serving Summit and nearby
Summit is in Union County. We are about 15 minutes away at our base in Maplewood. We also light homes in nearby towns across New Jersey.
- Short Hills and Millburn
- Chatham
- Berkeley Heights
- Westfield
Plan early for the best results
Booking is open now, and installs start as early as September. This season, our last install date before Christmas is December 10. Homes fill up in the order people book, so the earlier we talk, the more choice you have.
Ready to see your home aglow?
Get my designQuestions, answered
Yes. Detailed rooflines are some of our favorite projects. We plan the design around the features that make your home stand out.
Yes. Our lights clip on and come off without nails or staples. If you are in a historic district, check with the town on any exterior rules before we begin.
Yes. We offer commercial Christmas lighting for storefronts and other properties, with an in-person walkthrough and quote.
About 15 minutes from our Maplewood base.
Booking is open now. Installs start as early as September, and our last install date before Christmas is December 10.
Victorians, Tudors, Colonial Revivals, Colonials, and newer homes. Each gets a design that suits its architecture.
Yes. We can outline rooflines and bays, and talk through what will look best on your house.
Yes. We plan access and placement carefully, and design the lights to look good from the street below.