A decorative light system includes a base and a portable light device capable of communicating with each other to generate a light show. The system includes a base defining a receptacle and including a microcontroller, a transceiver operably coupled to the microcontroller and adapted to generate a control signal, a first power source operably coupled to the microcontroller, and a user interface operably coupled to the microcontroller and including at least one switch for activating the microcontroller. The portable light device has a lower end sized for removable insertion into the base receptacle and includes a housing having at least a portion formed of a translucent material, a first receiver disposed within the housing and responsive to the control signal transmitted by the base transceiver, a first light source disposed within the housing, operably coupled to the receiver, and adapted to direct light toward the translucent portion of the housing, and a second power source disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the light source.