Good lighting can make a world of difference.
It can turn a stark room into a cosy nook, a fresh student dorm into a homely space and bring magical vibes to your outside space with the flick of a switch.
Gardens, balconies, porches and decks of any description can all be elevated by strings of twinkling festoon lights. A bigger, shinier sister to fairy lights (invented in 1881 for London’s Savoy Theatre), these large oversized bulb string lights work in much the same way, powered by the mains, batteries or solar, the increasingly sustainable choice.
Festoon lights are so named because they’re often seen at parties and big celebrations such as wedding receptions, landmark birthdays and anniversaries.
The glow they emit is warm and welcoming, but not blinding - you’re unlikely to do much reading by these, but they’ll cast a gently diffused luminosity over your gathering (and provide flattering lighting for selfies, a crucial element in our purchasing considerations).
How to set up festoon lights
Installing them in an outside space will make it a more inviting place to be. You may need supports like adjustable poles or Shepherd’s Hooks if you’re hoping to string them above head height but if you want to dangle them in low swoops along the garden fence, you may not need more than a couple of strategically placed S-hooks.
Alternatively, you could DIY your own festoon pole, like this:
What to consider when buying festoon lights
For those planning to leave their festoon lights up year-round, it’s worth considering the weather when making your purchase. Weatherproof options abound, and they’re a prudent investment for anyone who’s dealt with the infamous British weather.
Also consider the power source: mains or battery may give a brighter glow, but solar is fuss-free and won’t blow house fuses — just plant the coordinating solar panel in a sunny spot and wipe it now and again so the rays can penetrate through and generate the electricity you need.
If you’re looking for festoon lights for the garden, we’ve rounded up the best options below.
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Lights4Fun 20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights
The quickest way to make any space feel more inviting, indoors or out, is with secondary lighting. In the garden, that means stringing up festoon-style lights for instant, twinkly cosiness.
You don't even have to remember to switch them on, thanks to the clever light sensor that turns them on as soon as it's dark enough.
You can forgo the utter chore of finding a close-enough plug too: these babies run on solar power, so simply work out where they're going, put the panel in an always-sunny spot, and let the 20 bulbs do their magical thing — Abha Shah
Buy now £39.99, Lights4Fun
Cox & Cox Outdoor Ellipse Festoon Lights
Cox & Cox brings a fluted twist to festoon lights with this design, upping your outdoor space's aesthetic. The 10 bulbs are made from plastic, adding to their durability, and they're IP44 rated too, so they can handle the odd rain shower, but should be brought under cover for extended wet stretches.
Buy now £45.00, Cox & Cox
Lights4Fun 10m 20 LED Twinkly Smart App Controlled Festoon Lights Amber & White
Turn your phone or home tablet into a remote for these lights which can be operated through a smartphone app over WiFi. Twenty LEDs roll through warm hues (amber, white and warm white) to create an enchanting glow and can be arranged to create a display. They’re also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can switch them on just by saying it out loud.
Buy now £116.99, Lights4Fun
Habitat 30 Warm White Festoon String Light
While most festoon lights have a clear bulb, Habitat’s design is semi-opaque, creating a much softer glow that’s more for creating atmosphere than real lighting. The 3V lights consist of 30 bulbs on 14.3m of cable with the initial length measuring 5m so you can plug it into the mains indoors.
Buy now £35.00, Argos
ZOTOYI Solar Powered Festoon Lights
Swapping round bulbs for slightly tapered ones, these festoon lights offer a welcome step change from the majority of designs on the market. Available in myriad sizes, the solar lights can last up to 12 hours if charged on a sunny day in direct sunlight. They are waterproof and the bulbs are made from plastic rather than glass, which means they're much harder to shatter.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Lights4Fun 20 Warm White Vintage Style Solar Festoon Lights
From warming up a brick wall to suspending them around a pergola, these warm solar-powered lights offer automatic illumination when the sun goes down. Each bulb houses a filament-style LED, which offers long-lasting results (and means you won’t have to worry about a replacement for years).
But that’s not all: choose from eight lighting choices to change the vibe of your space.
Buy now £64.99, Lights4Fun
Garden Trading Festoon Lights Classic 20 Bulbs
A classic string of festoon lights with 20 bulbs to bring light and life to your outdoor space. Each bulb comes with a little clip above it so you can hook it onto tree and hedge branches, keeping them secure through wind and rain. While they require a main socket connection to work, the glow is guaranteed rather than relying on the British weather to provide rays.
Buy now £52.50, Garden Trading
Smart Solar Superbright Globulb String Lights - Set Of 20
For small spaces crying out for a big impact, these 20-bulb festoon lights are up to the job. The design emits a warm white glow with evenly spaced out bulbs for a uniform look.
They'll work even on overcast days, but the glow might be softer than you'd expect.
Buy now £24.99, Robert Dyas
Sainsbury's Home Pack of 20 Solar Festoon Clear Lights
Throwing a party? Keep the good vibes going after dark with this budget string of festoon lights. The solar-powered design will work as long as the solar panel sits in direct sunlight, so set it up in your suntrap spot for best results. They won't flood your garden, patio or balcony with light, but they will help to create a welcoming ambience.
Buy now £15.00, Sainsbury's
