Outcome
Implement repeatable holiday color themes with calendar/date triggers and easy override controls.
Audience and Scope
Audience: Home automation builder with intermediate Home Assistant and Docker experience
Estimated Time: 1-4 hours
Difficulty: intermediate
Before You Start
- Target lights grouped by area.
- Holiday date source confirmed.
- Color map for each holiday prepared.
Hardware and Software
Hardware
- RGB/RGBW-capable lights.
- Holiday/calendar integrations.
- Automation and scene support.
Software
- RGB/RGBW-capable lights.
- Holiday/calendar integrations.
- Automation and scene support.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Define holiday color table
Objective: Create a mapping of date -> color values and labels.
Actions:
- Implement define holiday color table according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Step 2: Build reusable script/scene
Objective: Create one script that applies a passed-in color preset to light groups.
Actions:
- Implement build reusable script/scene according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Step 3: Add daily selector automation
Objective: At a fixed time, select color preset based on current holiday/date.
Actions:
- Implement add daily selector automation according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Step 4: Add sunset activation
Objective: Turn on holiday colors at sunset (or desired time) and off later at night.
Actions:
- Implement add sunset activation according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Step 5: Add override toggle
Objective: Create input boolean to disable holiday colors when needed.
Actions:
- Implement add override toggle according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Step 6: Validate across sample dates
Objective: Simulate multiple dates and verify expected presets apply.
Actions:
- Implement validate across sample dates according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
Validation Checklist
- Date maps to expected color preset.
- Lights activate and deactivate on schedule.
- Override disables automation immediately.
Operations and Maintenance
- Document update cadence for packages and containers.
- Schedule backup verification.
- Record service health baselines and alert thresholds.
Troubleshooting and Rollback
- If wrong color: verify RGB/RGBW value format.
- If trigger missed: verify timezone and trigger time.
- If override ignored: ensure condition checks boolean before actions.