Best outdoor festoon lights to brighten up your garden

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).

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:

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.