Few things change the feel of an outdoor space as quickly as a run of festoon lights. Strung across a patio, zig-zagged over a garden table or draped around a marquee, they give a warm, relaxed glow that floodlights and wall lights simply can't match. But not all festoon lighting is the same, and the cheap sets that fail after one damp autumn are a good reminder that a little planning goes a long way.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy: bulb types, weather ratings, lengths, spacing, power and safe installation.
What are festoon lights?
Festoon lights are a string of lampholders on a single cable, with a bulb fitted at regular intervals. The term covers everything from small decorative strings with tiny globes to heavy-duty "belt" festoons that take standard ES (E27) or BC (B22) lamps and are designed for semi-permanent outdoor use, weddings and commercial events.
The key difference from fairy lights is scale. Fairy lights use tiny integrated LEDs for a twinkling effect, while festoons use larger, visible bulbs that become a design feature in their own right. If you want a softer twinkle, take a look at our fairy lights instead.
Integrated sets vs connectable belt festoon
There are two main styles to choose between:
- Integrated (plug-and-play) sets come with the bulbs fitted and a fixed length, often 5 to 15 metres. They're ideal for gardens, balconies and occasional use, and they're easy to put up and take down.
- Connectable belt festoon is a modular system: a length of cable with lampholders that you link together and fit with your own bulbs. It's the choice for larger gardens, hospitality venues and event installers, because you can extend runs, swap bulbs and replace individual sections.
You can browse both styles in our festoon lighting and string lights range, including Girard Sudron connectable festoon.
Choosing the right bulbs
The bulb you choose has more effect on the look than anything else.
- LED filament bulbs give the classic vintage look with a visible glowing filament, but use a fraction of the power of the old incandescent versions.
- Golf ball and globe LEDs give a cleaner, rounder glow and are popular for weddings and restaurants. Coloured golf ball LEDs are great for parties and seasonal displays.
- Shatterproof bulbs made from plastic rather than glass are worth considering for low-hanging runs, busy venues and anywhere children are around.
Colour temperature
For a cosy, inviting atmosphere, choose a warm white of around 2200K to 2700K. Anything above 3000K starts to look cooler and more clinical outdoors. If you're unsure about colour temperature, our guide to warm white vs cool white vs daylight explains the numbers.
Wattage
Modern LED festoon bulbs typically use around 1W to 4W each. That means a 20-bulb run might draw well under 100W in total, so you can run long lengths from one socket and leave them on all evening without worrying about the bill.
IP ratings: how weatherproof does it need to be?
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating tells you how well a product resists dust and water. For festoon lighting in the UK climate, it matters.
| IP rating | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | No protection against water | Indoor use only |
| IP44 | Protected against splashing water | Covered patios, gazebos, occasional outdoor use |
| IP65 | Protected against water jets and dust | Permanent outdoor installations and exposed gardens |
Check the rating covers the whole system: the cable, lampholders, connectors and the plug or transformer. A festoon is only as weatherproof as its weakest joint, and the mains plug should always be kept somewhere dry or in a proper weatherproof enclosure.
Length and bulb spacing
Measure the route before you buy, and add some slack for droop and for reaching the power point. A few rules of thumb:
- 0.5m spacing gives a dense, bright, celebratory look, which works well over dining areas and dance floors.
- 1m spacing gives a relaxed, more spread-out effect for long garden runs and boundaries.
- For a canopy effect over a seating area, zig-zag several shorter runs between two fixing lines rather than one long straight run.
If you're using connectable festoon, check the manufacturer's maximum run length or maximum wattage per connection. Exceeding it can overload the first section of cable.
How to hang festoon lights safely
- Use a catenary or support wire for any span longer than a few metres. Clip the festoon to a tensioned steel wire rather than letting the lighting cable take the strain.
- Fix to solid points such as walls, posts or sturdy fence posts, not trees that move in the wind or gutters that can't take the load.
- Keep a safe height over walkways so people and gazebos don't catch the bulbs.
- Protect the power supply. Outdoor sockets should be RCD protected, and any extension leads used outdoors must be rated for outdoor use. For permanent installations, have a qualified electrician fit a dedicated outdoor supply.
- Consider low-voltage systems for gardens where children and pets play, as they reduce the risk from damaged cables.
Buying vs hiring for events
If you only need festoon lighting for a one-off occasion such as a wedding, birthday or corporate event, hiring can be the most cost-effective route and saves storing hundreds of metres of cable. Balcan Lighting offers a festoon lighting rental option, and if you're planning a permanent installation for a garden, pub or restaurant, buying a quality connectable system usually pays for itself quickly.
Quick buying checklist
- Integrated set or connectable belt system?
- Bulb style: filament, golf ball, globe or coloured?
- Warm white (2200K to 2700K) for atmosphere
- IP44 minimum outdoors, IP65 for permanent exposed runs
- Total length plus slack, and the right bulb spacing
- Support wire, solid fixings and an RCD-protected outdoor supply
Need help choosing?
Our team has been supplying lighting since 2009 and can help you plan runs, choose bulbs and work out what you need for your garden or venue. Browse our festoon and string lights or get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.
