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 - 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 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 £35.99, Lights4Fun
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 £89.99, 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 £40.00, Argos
Govee Outdoor LED String Lights
For hosts who love to throw a party, these LED string lights will get things started. The multicoloured bulbs sit on 15m of cable and are IP65-rated, meaning they are waterproof. Make them light up to the music or set on a timer to shimmer in the sky as you dance below through an app or by voice command with compatible products.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Svater Solar 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 £40.29, Amazon
PBGMRT Outdoor Festoon Lights Mains Powered
Avoid disturbing your neighbours and tweak the brightness of these main-powered festoon lights with the included remote control. The dimmable bulbs can withstand wet weather with an IP65 rating. They are incredibly efficient too with a Class A Energy rating, meaning they won't rack up household bills.
This version stretches to 30m but there are longer and shorter options available at Amazon.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
John Lewis Festoon Outdoor Line Lights, Clear
Whether it’s your turn to host the family BBQ, you’re planning an intimate meal or having friends around for drinks and rounds of cards, these beautiful festoon lights from John Lewis promise to set the scene perfectly. The cables run to 9.5m and it will need mains power, but be sure to keep the power adaptor indoors at all times.
Despite the IP44 rating, these lights aren’t suitable for year-round use. Bring them in when it rains, or hang them in a sheltered area like a porch or conservatory.
Buy now £32.00, John Lewis
Eureka Lighting Vintage Festoon LV String Lights, Warm White - Set of 10
For small spaces crying out for a big impact, Eureka’s 10-bulb festoon lights are up to the job. The design emits a warm white glow with 50cm spacing between each bulb for a uniform look. They can be used both inside and out and you can even expand the set by hooking it up with five other lights within the range. Replacement bulbs are also included in case of accidental breakages.
Buy now £19.99, Robert Dyas
M&S COLLECTION 15 Solar Festoon Lights
Make your garden even more magical with M&S’s outdoor solar lights. The festoon style is ideal for draping over tables or along the edges of a trellis or a pergola. This set contains 15 bulbs with 24cm between each one and 5m of cable between the solar panel and the first bulb, giving you the freedom to position it in a prime spot.
Buy now £14.00, M&S
Oliver Bonas Solar Outdoor 20 LED Festoon Lights
Accent lighting isn’t just for indoors - you can continue the look outside too with the right festoon lights. Designed to bring enchantment to your personal paradise, you’ll find 20 LED baubles at regular intervals along a black cable which should disappear at nightfall, making the lights look like they’re floating.
Buy now £69.50, Oliver Bonas
