Festoon lights are one of the easiest ways to make an outdoor space feel warm, stylish and inviting. Whether you want to brighten a patio, decorate a pergola or create a party atmosphere in the garden, festoon lights are a practical and decorative choice.
Also known as outdoor string lights, these lights are popular for homes, restaurants, cafés, beer gardens and event spaces. Their classic big bulb design gives outdoor areas a relaxed glow that works well for everyday use and special occasions.
In this guide, we explain what festoon lights are, where to use them and how to choose the right style for your space. We also look at low voltage, mains voltage, connectable and large harness options available in our Festoon Lights collection.
Table of contents
What are festoon lights?
Festoon lights are decorative lights fitted along a flexible cable. They usually feature a row of bulbs spaced evenly apart. This creates a soft and welcoming line of light across outdoor spaces.
Traditional festoon lights often use a big bulb outdoor string lights design. This style gives them a vintage look and makes them ideal for patios, pergolas, balconies and garden seating areas.
Modern outdoor string lights are available in many options, including LED warm white bulbs, multi colour bulbs, low voltage systems and mains voltage festoon harnesses. This makes them suitable for both home gardens and commercial outdoor areas.
Why choose festoon lights for your outdoor space?
Festoon lights are popular because they are both useful and decorative. They add enough light to make an area feel comfortable, but they are not too bright or harsh.
They are a great choice if you want to:
- Create a cosy garden seating area.
- Add soft light above a patio or decking area.
- Decorate a pergola or gazebo.
- Light up outdoor dining spaces.
- Create a party or event atmosphere.
- Improve the look of a café, restaurant or beer garden.
Unlike standard outdoor lights, festoon lighting helps create atmosphere. It is ideal when you want your garden, patio or outdoor venue to feel more relaxed in the evening.
Best places to use outdoor string lights
Outdoor string lights are very flexible. You can use them in small gardens, large patios and commercial outdoor areas.
Patios and decking areas
A patio is one of the best places to use festoon lights. You can hang them above a seating area to create a warm and comfortable glow.
They work especially well over garden furniture, outdoor dining tables and BBQ areas. If you enjoy sitting outside in the evening, outdoor string lights can make the space feel more complete.
Pergolas and gazebos
Festoon lights look beautiful when fixed across the beams of a pergola or gazebo. You can run the cable along the frame or hang the lights in soft lines across the roof area.
This creates a stylish feature during the day and a warm glow at night. For a softer look, choose warm white festoon lights.
Garden paths and boundaries
You can also use garden festoon lights along fences, walls or pathways. This helps define the shape of the garden and adds gentle light around the edges.
For safety and style, combine festoon lighting with other outdoor lights such as wall lights, spike lights or bollard lights.
Outdoor dining areas
Festoon lights are perfect for outdoor dining. They add a relaxed restaurant-style feel to patios, terraces and garden rooms.
The soft glow helps make the area feel cosy without being too bright. This is why festoon lights are often used in cafés, restaurants and hospitality spaces.
Parties and events
If you are looking for outdoor party lights, festoon lights are a strong choice. They are ideal for birthdays, family gatherings, summer parties, weddings and garden events.
Their decorative bulb style gives any space a more festive look. You can also use them with other party lights to create a stronger visual effect.
Choosing the right festoon lights
Before buying festoon lights, think about where you want to use them, how long the lighting run needs to be and whether you need a low voltage, mains voltage or connectable design.
Choose the right length
Start by measuring the area where you want to hang the lights. You may need a short set for a small patio or a longer run for a large garden, courtyard or event space.
Always allow a little extra cable. This gives you more flexibility when hanging the lights and helps create a natural curve.
Decide between low voltage and mains voltage
Low voltage festoon lights are a great choice for gardens, patios, pergolas and smaller outdoor seating areas. They are practical for home use and help create a warm decorative glow.
Mains voltage festoon lights are better suited to larger spaces, longer runs, commercial displays and event lighting. They are useful for hospitality areas, outdoor venues, Christmas displays and bigger garden projects.
Check if you need connectable festoon lights
Connectable festoon lights are useful when one set is not long enough. They allow compatible sets to be joined together, making them ideal for larger patios, courtyards, beer gardens and outdoor event spaces.
Always check the product details before buying, as connection limits can vary between designs.
Pick the right light colour
Warm white festoon lights are the most popular choice for gardens and patios. They create a soft, cosy glow that feels comfortable in the evening.
Multi colour festoon lights are better for parties, celebrations and decorative displays. They add a brighter and more playful look for events and seasonal lighting.
Check the outdoor rating
Outdoor festoon lights should be suitable for exterior use. Always check the IP rating before installing them outside.
For Irish weather, this is especially important. A suitable outdoor rating helps protect the lights from rain, moisture and changing weather conditions.
Think about replaceable bulbs
Some festoon lights come with replaceable bulbs. This can be useful if you want a longer-lasting setup, especially for patios, hospitality spaces or commercial displays.
Replaceable bulb festoon lights are also a good option when the lights will be used regularly or installed for longer periods.
Low voltage vs mains voltage festoon lights
Festoon lights are available in both low voltage and mains voltage options. The right choice depends on where you want to use them, how long the lighting run needs to be and whether the lights are for home, event or commercial use.
Low voltage festoon lights
Low voltage festoon lights are a popular choice for gardens, patios, pergolas and outdoor seating areas. They are ideal for creating a warm decorative glow in home outdoor spaces.
Low voltage festoon lights require a suitable transformer to run. At Fantasy Lights, we offer transformer options such as 20W and 40W transformers. The correct transformer depends on the number of sets you want to connect and the total wattage required.
For example, a smaller setup may only need a 20W transformer, while multiple connected sets may require a 40W transformer. Always check the product details or ask our team before connecting several sets together.
Low voltage festoon lights are also a practical choice for domestic gardens because they run at a reduced voltage. This can make them a safer option for outdoor home use when installed correctly with the right transformer and weatherproof connections.
Mains voltage festoon lights
Mains voltage festoon lights are better suited to larger spaces, longer runs, event lighting and commercial displays. They are often used in cafés, restaurants, beer gardens, courtyards, outdoor venues and Christmas lighting installations.
These lights connect directly to mains power, so they are useful when you need a stronger or more permanent setup. However, mains voltage products should always be installed and used according to the product instructions.
For larger outdoor projects, it is important to check the cable length, connection type, IP rating and installation requirements before buying.
Important: Low voltage festoon lights need a compatible transformer to operate. The transformer size, such as 20W or 40W, depends on the number of festoon light sets being used. Please check the product details or contact Fantasy Lights if you are unsure which transformer you need.
What are connectable festoon lights?
Connectable festoon lights are designed so compatible sets can be joined together. This makes them ideal when one set is not long enough.
They are useful for gardens, courtyards, terraces, beer gardens, outdoor dining areas and event spaces. Connectable designs give you more flexibility when lighting a wider area.
Most festoon lights in this category are connectable. However, always check the individual product details before buying, as connection limits can vary between products.
Shop festoon lights for gardens, parties and outdoor displays
At Fantasy Lights, you can choose from a wide range of outdoor string lights for gardens, patios, parties and commercial displays. Our collection includes low voltage sets, mains voltage harnesses, connectable designs and large festoon lighting options for longer outdoor runs.
This makes it easier to find the right option for your space. Smaller sets are ideal for patios, pergolas and garden parties, while larger harness designs are better suited to commercial displays, events, hospitality areas and long outdoor installations.
Garden and patio low voltage festoon lights
These options are ideal for home gardens, patios, balconies and casual outdoor dining areas.
Longer runs mains voltage festoon lights
For larger areas, mains voltage and connectable designs are often more suitable. These options work well for gardens, events, hospitality spaces, beer gardens, courtyards and commercial outdoor displays.
Large festoon harness designs
For bigger installations, festoon harness designs are a better choice. These are useful for long runs, commercial areas, outdoor venues, Christmas displays and event lighting.
Smart colour-changing festoon lights
For smart lighting projects, you can also choose Twinkly Plus S14 40 Bulb Festoon String Lights. This option is better suited to colour-changing displays, app-controlled lighting and decorative smart lighting projects.
Festoon lights product guide
| Product | Best for | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 15 LED Connectable Replaceable Bulb Festoon Lights | Premium patios, gardens and hospitality areas | Mains voltage & connectable |
| Festoon Lights With 20 Clear LED Bulbs | Simple patio and garden lighting | Low voltage & connectable |
| Warm White Opal Festoon Lights | Soft cosy garden lighting | Low voltage & connectable |
| 20 LED Multi Colour Festoon Lights | Parties and colourful displays | Low voltage & connectable |
| 20 LED Warm White Vintage Festoon Lights | Big bulb outdoor string lights look | Low voltage & connectable |
| 20 LED Shade Festoon Party Lights | Garden parties, weddings and marquees | Low voltage & connectable |
| Outdoor Festoon Lights Drop Harness 10 Metres | Outdoor displays and events | Mains voltage harness |
| Connectable 10 Metre Festoon Lights Harness | Larger outdoor runs | Mains voltage & connectable |
| Twinkly Plus S14 40 Bulb Festoon String Lights | Smart colour-changing displays | Smart festoon lights |
| Festoon Lights Harness With 72 Lamp Holders | Large commercial and event displays | Mains voltage harness |
| 50M Festoon Lights Harness With 100 B22 Lampholders | Long outdoor lighting runs | Mains voltage harness |
Note: Many low voltage festoon lights are connectable and require a suitable transformer. Larger harness products are designed for longer runs, but not all harness designs are connectable. Always check the product details before ordering.
Festoon lights vs outdoor string lights
The terms festoon lights and outdoor string lights are often used to describe similar products. Both usually refer to a cable with bulbs spaced along it.
Festoon lights normally have a more decorative look. They often use larger bulbs and are designed to create atmosphere.
Outdoor string lights can be a broader term. It may include small fairy-style lights, patio string lights and other decorative outdoor lighting.
If you want a bold, classic look with visible bulbs, festoon lights are usually the better choice.
Are festoon lights good for Irish gardens?
Yes, festoon lights are a great choice for Irish gardens when you choose the right outdoor-rated product.
They work well in patios, pergolas, covered seating areas and garden entertainment spaces. They also help make outdoor areas more usable during spring and summer evenings.
Because Irish weather can be wet and windy, it is important to install the lights securely. Use suitable hooks, fixing points or support wires where needed. Avoid leaving the cable loose or unsupported across long distances.
For permanent outdoor use, choose good-quality weatherproof festoon lights.
Garden lighting ideas with festoon lights
Festoon lights work best when they are used as part of a layered lighting plan. This means using different types of outdoor lights for different jobs.
For example, you could use festoon lights above a patio to create atmosphere, then add practical lighting around doors, entrances and seating areas with Outdoor Wall Lights.
For plants, borders and trees, Spike Lights are a good way to add extra depth. You can also browse our Outdoor Lighting range for more ways to complete your outdoor space.
This layered approach gives your garden more balance. It also makes the space safer and easier to use after dark.
How to hang festoon lights
You can hang festoon lights in several ways depending on your garden layout.
Popular options include:
- Across a patio from wall to fence.
- Along a pergola or gazebo frame.
- Between posts in a seating area.
- Along a garden fence
- Above an outdoor dining table.
- Around a balcony or terrace.
Try not to pull the cable too tight. A soft curve usually looks better and puts less pressure on the cable.
If the lights are going across a wide space, you may need a support wire. This helps carry the weight and keeps the lights secure.
Using festoon lights for garden parties and events
Festoon lights are a great choice for garden parties, BBQs, weddings, family gatherings and outdoor events. They create a warm, welcoming atmosphere without making the space feel too bright or harsh.
For home parties, low voltage festoon lights are a practical option for patios, pergolas and seating areas. For larger events, hospitality spaces or commercial displays, mains voltage and connectable festoon lights may be more suitable.
You can also combine festoon lights with lanterns, wall lights, spike lights or colour-changing lights to create a more decorative outdoor party setup.
Why buy festoon lights from Fantasy Lights?
At Fantasy Lights, you can find outdoor lighting options for homes, gardens and commercial spaces. Festoon lights are a stylish way to add warmth and character to patios, pergolas and outdoor seating areas.
Whether you want a simple garden lighting upgrade or a decorative setup for parties and events, festoon lights are a practical choice.
Browse our Festoon Lights collection to find low voltage, mains voltage, connectable and big bulb outdoor string lights for gardens, patios, parties, events and commercial displays.
You can also explore our wider Outdoor Lighting and Garden Lighting range to complete your outdoor space.
Final thoughts
Festoon lights are a simple but effective way to transform your outdoor area. They add warmth, style and atmosphere without making the space feel too bright.
For most homes, warm white LED festoon lights are the best choice for everyday garden use. If you need a longer run, connectable festoon lights or mains voltage harness options may be more suitable.
If you want lighting that works for patios, pergolas, outdoor dining, parties and commercial displays, festoon lights are a great option.
FAQs
Are festoon lights the same as outdoor string lights?
Festoon lights are a type of outdoor string light. They usually have larger decorative bulbs and are often used for patios, gardens, pergolas and outdoor dining areas.
Can festoon lights be left outside?
Outdoor-rated festoon lights can be used outside. Always check the IP rating and product details to make sure they are suitable for exterior use.
What are the best festoon lights for gardens?
Warm white LED festoon lights are a popular choice for gardens. They create a soft glow, use less energy and suit patios, pergolas and seating areas.
Are festoon lights good for parties?
Yes, festoon lights are ideal party lights. They create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for garden parties, BBQs, weddings and outdoor events.
What are connectable festoon lights?
Connectable festoon lights are compatible sets that can be joined together. They are useful for larger gardens, courtyards, patios, beer gardens and event spaces.
Are all festoon lights connectable?
No. Many festoon lights are connectable, but not all designs are. Always check the product details before buying. Large harness products may not be connectable.
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