If your decorations involve trees, rooftops, street lighting columns, shopfronts or large indoor atriums, you need to consider how to safely reach those heights. Using platforms such as scissor lifts or cherry pickers makes the job safer, faster and fully compliant with working at height regulations.

And it’s not just about putting decorations up; you’ll need just as much support in January when it’s time to take everything back down. In this blog, we talk you through why powered access is required for these Christmas operations.

Why use powered access for Christmas decorations?

Climbing ladders to hang lights on a tall tree or leaning out of windows to fix garlands used to be the norm - but today, safety needs to come first. Powered access gives you:

• A safer working platform - Machines like cherry pickers and scissor lifts provide stable platforms with guardrails and harness points.
• Faster installation and removal - Access equipment helps teams move between jobs more efficiently, helping you finish on time (or catch up if you're running late!).
• Greater precision - Need to position lights perfectly along a roofline? Or adjust a wreath just a little higher? Platform controls allow for accurate, controlled movement.
• Access to hard-to-reach places - From trees and lamp posts to atriums and ceiling beams, powered access helps you get there easily.

Who Can Benefit from Powered Access Hire

• Town councils and local authorities, for decorating high streets and public spaces.
• Shopping centres and retail parks, when installing hanging displays and exterior lighting.
• Event venues, hotels and stately homes are preparing for Christmas markets, parties or seasonal stays.
• Facilities or maintenance teams in schools, business parks or visitor attractions.

So, if your decorations are heading above head height this year, powered access is absolutely worth considering.

What should you think about before hiring access equipment?

Before you book anything, ask yourself:

How high do you need to reach?
A 5m indoor tree needs very different equipment from 12m outdoor lamp posts.

Indoor or outdoor?
Indoor spaces often have narrow doorways and smooth floors - so compact scissor lifts or mast booms are ideal. Outdoors, rough terrain or uneven ground may require trailer-mounted booms or self-propelled cherry pickers.

How much space is available?
Do you have room for outrigger legs? Will the machine need to fit through double doors or narrow gaps?

Power source?
Electric machines are quiet and emission-free, making them ideal for indoor use or in busy pedestrian areas. Diesel or bi-energy options are better for outdoor or longer-duration work.

Popular powered access options for festive decorating

Not sure where to start? Depending on where you're decorating, indoors, outdoors, on streets or rooftops, different types of powered access will make the job easier and safer. These are some of the most commonly used machines for Christmas installations:

Scissor Lifts - Perfect for indoor displays and shopfronts

Scissor lifts are ideal when you need a stable platform at height, especially for shopping centres, retail units or warehouse-style venues.

Popular choices include:

• 7.8m Electric Scissor Lift - Compact, fits through standard doors, great for indoor trees and light installations.
• 9.8m Electric Scissor Lift - Extra height and larger platform space for two people plus decorations.
• 12m Compact Scissor Lift - Ideal for larger indoor displays or outdoor façades where extra reach and manoeuvrability are needed.

These machines offer non-marking tyres, quiet battery power and are perfect for working around the public with minimal disruption.

Cherry Pickers - For rooftops, street lighting and outdoor displays

If decorations need to be placed above roof level or along lampposts and signage, cherry pickers offer precision and extended outreach.

Popular choices include:

• 12.2m Electric Cherry Picker (Trailer Mounted) – Easy to tow to different locations and ideal for town centres or venues with limited parking.

These machines are especially useful for installing lights on large trees, wrapping columns or accessing building edges safely.

Boom Lifts - When height and outreach both matter

For decorating town squares, high façades or stadiums where horizontal and vertical reach is needed:

• 10m Mast Boom Lift Haulotte Star 10 - Compact, battery-powered and highly manoeuvrable. Ideal for indoor venues, shopping centres and tight outdoor spaces where precision is essential.

To explore our full range of powered access machines available for hire, take a look at our complete selection here.

Safety first - especially at Christmas

Festive deadlines can tempt teams to rush, but safety should never take a holiday. Make sure you:

• Carry out a site survey before installation. Check for obstructions, ground conditions and overhead hazards.
• Use trained and certified operators - anyone using access equipment must hold an IPAF licence or equivalent.
• Wear proper PPE, including harnesses for boom lifts, hi-vis, helmets and non-slip footwear.
• Secure decorations safely to avoid movement in the wind or bad weather.
• Plan for poor weather if working outdoors - rain, frost or wind can quickly make conditions unsafe.

Don’t forget the Christmas decoration takedown

Once the festive season ends, decorations usually need to be removed quickly, especially in public spaces.  Powered access helps make removal safe, efficient and damage-free.

Top tip: Book your access hire for both installation and takedown to avoid availability issues in January when everyone else starts removing their lights too.

How does this make your life easier?

Choosing the right powered access equipment can:

• Keep your team safe and compliant.
• Reduce time spent on each installation.
• Cut the disruption to the public or customers.
• Help create a professional, polished finish to your display.
• Prevent damage to buildings, trees or decorations.

Ready to get festive, safely?

From compact indoor lifts to trailer-mounted booms for outdoor displays, we’ll help you choose the safest and most efficient powered access option for your project. Want to chat through your festive plans or hire a machine in advance? Get in touch - we’re here to make Christmas setup simpler, safer and stress-free.