You could use particle flow and use a position object operator, selecting the cable as the emitter object. Then add a shape instance operator and select the light bulbs as the object.

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[Link to www.3dprevis.com]

Particle flow is a good option but, just to be
different. I would suggest using the free script
advanced painter and paint scattered instances of
the bulbs onto the branches. You would
want to detach the branches as a seperate object.
Then you could use the "clone and align" tool to add
an omni light to each scattered bulb. You could
use a few different colours and so long as the duplicates are
instances you can animate each colour seperatly.

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I didn't even think of that. Advanced painter would be great for this kind of thing.
[Link to www.scriptspot.com]

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[Link to www.3dprevis.com]

you can use spline,
-wrap around it on the tree
-apply lattice modifier ( struts amount = 0, joints amount = base on the size of your lights
-then apply an advance lighting overide material ( if scanline render)
-or apply vraylightmatl ( vray render)
-if you need diffirent colored lights, convert the spline to poly, just detach some parts and create another light material with another color

if still confuse with these, let me know. i will post simple presentation.

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[Link to www.pixila.com]
[Link to www.sharecg.com]

You could use a scatter object and scatter lights along a spline.

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--Matt