Thumbtack Reveals the 2025 Most Festive Cities in the U.S.

Austin Homeowners Lead the Nation in Holiday Decorating for the Fourth Consecutive Year

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thumbtack, the technology company helping millions of people confidently care for and improve their homes, released its annual ranking of the 2025 Most Festive Cities, identifying where homeowners are booking the most holiday light installations this year.

The findings, drawn from Thumbtack’s extensive database of home projects, highlight the cities where holiday spirit shines brightest and where people are investing most in creating dazzling, light-filled displays.

Austin Leads the Nation in Holiday Spirit

For the fourth consecutive year, Austin, Texas ranks #1 on Thumbtack’s Most Festive Cities list, proving that the Lone Star State’s homeowners continue to lead the way in holiday lighting and outdoor decorating projects.

Cities Bringing the Most Holiday Cheer in 2025

1. Austin, TX
2. Dallas, TX
3. Seattle, WA
4. Las Vegas, NV
5. Sacramento, CA
6. Houston, TX
7. San Francisco, CA
8. Charlotte, NC
9. San Antonio, TX
10. Atlanta, GA
11. Orlando, FL
12. Washington, D.C.
13. Tampa, FL
14. Kansas City, MO
15. Raleigh, NC
16. West Palm Beach, FL
17. Phoenix, AZ
18. Portland, OR
19. Denver, CO
20. Chicago, IL

Holiday Decorating Advice for Homeowners

According to Thumbtack’s Fall & Winter Trends Report, holiday decorating is evolving from quick weekend setups to intentional, phased transformations. Homeowners are layering seasonal décor over time, swapping pumpkins for pine boughs and adding sparkle as the season unfolds. To embrace this more intentional approach to decorating, try these expert-approved tips:

• Start at the entryway: A wreath, garland, or ribbon on the door instantly says “the holidays are here” and sets a warm welcome.
• Layer your lighting: Add soft, warm lighting, whether it’s string lights on a bookshelf, candles on a table, or window candles for an indoor-outdoor glow.
• Add greenery where it feels natural: A sprig on the nightstand or garland on the mantle brings life and warmth to any space.
• Call in a pro: For rooflines, tall trees, or big displays, hire a lighting pro to keep it safe and picture-perfect. Most installs run $208-$500 on average, depending on the design.

Skip the tangled lights and ladder stress this season. Download the Thumbtack app to find a local lighting professional who can help you create your perfect holiday display, safely, beautifully, and on budget.

Methodology: Data is from customer requests on the Thumbtack platform from October 2024 to October 2025 for holiday light installations. Rankings were based on the relative frequency of such requests adjusted for the population of state and metropolitan areas.

About Thumbtack

We’re Thumbtack, a technology company helping millions of people confidently care for and improve their homes. Our homeowners get personalized guidance on what to do and when to do it, as well as who to hire from our growing community of 300,000 local service businesses. Every day in every county of the U.S., people turn to Thumbtack to complete small fixes, routine maintenance, and major improvements. With over 12 million 5-star projects and counting, we help homeowners and home professionals accomplish more.