There is something magical about stepping into a garden lit by warm, glowing festoon lights. Suddenly, an ordinary outdoor space feels like somewhere you never want to leave.
At TOLS, we believe every garden deserves that kind of ambience — and festoon lights are one of the easiest ways to create it. In this guide, we walk you through five of the most popular ways to use festoon lights outdoors, from decks and pergolas to poolside setups, so you can find the perfect look for your space.
Why Choose Festoon Lights for Your Outdoor Space?
Before we dive into the how, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the why. Unlike harsh security floodlights or flat-tone solar stake lights, festoon lights create ambience. The large, exposed filament bulbs produce a warm, diffused glow that flatters every garden and every face, which is why they are so popular at weddings, garden parties, and restaurant terraces.
They are also incredibly practical. Good-quality outdoor festoon lights are IP44 or IP65 weatherproof rated, meaning they are technology, giving you that classic warm look without the running costs of older incandescent can handle everything the British climate throws at them. Wide modern varieties use energy-efficient LED filament bulbs.
✦ Pro tip: Always look for CE or UKCA-certified festoon lights and an IP44 (or higher) weatherproof rating before buying for outdoor UK use.
Festoon Lights on a Deck: Turn Your Terrace Into a Retreat
A deck is the natural heart of any outdoor entertaining space, and festoon lights are its perfect companion. The combination of warm timber and soft golden bulbs creates a welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests lingering well past midnight.
The most popular approach is to create an overhead canopy — string the lights between posts at each corner of the deck so they form a softly glowing ceiling above the seating area. For a more relaxed, boho feel, let the cables hang in gentle swags rather than pulling them tight.
A few more ideas for decking:
- Railing glow: Wind a shorter festoon string along the deck railing to frame the space with a warm amber border.
- Layered lighting: Combine overhead festoon lights with low-level lanterns or step lights for a multi-dimensional effect.
- Cafe style: Run parallel strings the length of the deck, spaced 40–50 cm apart, for a Continental bistro atmosphere.
✦ Deck tip: Screw small outdoor cable hooks into your deck posts or fascia boards — they hold the cable securely and are barely visible during the day.
Festoon Lights Over a Pool: Resort Vibes in Your Own Back Garden
Few things are more visually dramatic than a string of warm festoon lights reflected across the surface of a swimming pool. The light doubles in the water, creating a shimmering, resort-like effect that looks spectacular from inside the house as well as the garden.
Safety is the number one priority when hanging festoon lights near water. Here is how to do it properly:
- Use IP65-rated lights: These are fully dust-tight and protected against water jets — essential for poolside installations.
- Never attach cables to the pool structure: Always anchor from posts, fences, or a catenary wire stretched between two points set back from the pool edge.
- Use a catenary wire: A tensioned steel support cable carries the weight of the lights and keeps them taut and level at a safe height above the water.
- Consult an electrician: For permanent poolside installations, always get a qualified electrician to check your setup.
The visual reward is absolutely worth the extra care. A pool lit by festoon lights at night is one of the most striking outdoor scenes you can create.
Festoon Lights on a Fence: Define and Illuminate Your Garden Boundary
Garden fences are one of the most underused surfaces for outdoor lighting. Run a string of festoon lights along the top of your fence panels or between the posts, and you instantly add warmth, definition, and character to the perimeter of your garden.
Fence-mounted festoon lights work especially well for garden parties and summer barbecues. They create a glowing boundary that draws the whole space together and makes even a modest garden feel beautifully curated.
Creative fence lighting approaches:
- Linear top run: Fix the cable along the fence cap rail for a clean, architectural look.
- Swag between posts: Loop the cable from post to post in a gentle curve for a more festive, relaxed vibe.
- Intertwined with planting: Weave the lights through climbing roses, jasmine, or ivy for a romantic, overgrown cottage-garden effect.
✦ Fence tip: Use UV-stabilised outdoor cable clips to attach the lights — they grip firmly, do not damage the fence, and can be removed without a trace at the end of the season.
Festoon Lights on a Pergola: The Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Canopy
A pergola and festoon lights are one of the great pairings of outdoor design. The pergola's overhead framework gives you built-in anchor points, and the result — a canopy of warm, glowing bulbs above your alfresco dining table — looks like something straight from a Mediterranean terrace.
How to hang festoon lights on a pergola:
- Parallel runs: String cables side by side along the length of the pergola beams, about 30–40 cm apart, for even, full coverage across the whole canopy.
- Cross-hatch grid: Run strings in both directions to create a dense lattice of light that looks stunning from below.
- Starburst from the centre: Fix a single hook at the apex and radiate strings outward to each corner post for a dramatic, focal-point effect.
Explore creative ways to hang festoon lights that add charm and character — the pergola is your blank canvas, and even a simple single-run installation transforms the whole feel of the space beneath it.
✦ Pergola tip: Feed the cable through a small screw-in eye hook at each beam crossing to keep the installation neat and prevent the cable from shifting in the wind.
Festoon Lights on Poles: Create Structure in an Open Garden
No pergola or fence? No problem. Freestanding light poles are one of the most flexible ways to hang festoon lights in an open garden or lawn space. By installing two or more timber or metal posts at key points, you create your own bespoke structure from which to drape and string the lights.
Poles can be secured using a ground spike for easy repositioning, or set into a concrete footing for a permanent installation. For the most polished look, use matching posts at equal heights and let the cables hang in soft, natural curves between them — the gentle drape looks far more elegant than a perfectly taut line.
Great locations for pole-mounted festoon lights:
- Framing an outdoor dining table or kitchen area
- Encircling a fire pit or chiminea seating zone
- Marking out a garden bar or drinks station
- Creating a dedicated illuminated area for children's play on summer evenings
✦ Poles tip: For a seamless look, choose poles and cable in matching finishes — black powder-coated metal poles with a black cable, or natural timber posts with a dark brown cable.
Light Up Your Outdoor World
Festoon lights deliver a huge visual impact for a modest investment. Whether you are draping them over a pool, framing a pergola, or building a canopy above your deck, the result is always the same — a warm, inviting space you will never want to leave.
Just make sure you choose lights built for the outdoors: weatherproof, energy-efficient, and tough enough for a British winter. Get that right, and the rest is pure creativity.
Ready to find your perfect festoon lighting setup? Browse the full TOLS collection at tols.co.uk, weatherproof, UK-certified, and ready to transform your outdoor space.
FAQs
Q1: What are the best festoon lights for outdoor use in the UK? Look for festoon lights with an IP44 or IP65 weatherproof rating and UKCA/CE certification. LED filament bulbs are the best choice — they deliver the classic warm glow of traditional incandescent bulbs while using a fraction of the energy, and they are built to withstand year-round British weather.
Q2: How do I hang festoon lights without a pergola or fence? Use freestanding light poles set into ground spikes or concrete footings. Position two or more poles at equal heights around your seating area and string the lights between them in gentle, swooping curves. This works brilliantly in open lawns or patios where there are no existing structures to attach lights to.
Q3: Can I put festoon lights over a swimming pool? Yes, but safety comes first. Always use IP65-rated festoon lights near water, anchor cables from posts or a catenary wire set back from the pool edge, and never attach cables directly to the pool structure. For permanent installations, have a qualified electrician sign off on the setup.
Q4: How far apart should festoon light bulbs be? The most common spacing is 30–50 cm between bulbs. Closer spacing (30 cm) gives a denser, more dramatic canopy effect, while wider spacing (50 cm) creates a relaxed, understated look. For pergolas and decks, 40 cm spacing tends to strike the perfect balance.
Q5: Are festoon lights energy efficient? Modern LED festoon lights are very energy efficient. LED filament bulbs typically use 1–2 watts per bulb compared to 11–15 watts for traditional incandescent equivalents — so a full string of 20 LED festoon lights uses roughly the same power as a single old-style bulb. Using a timer or smart plug reduces consumption further.
Q6: Can festoon lights be left outside all year round? IP44-rated festoon lights can handle rain and splashes, making them suitable for most UK gardens year-round. For exposed gardens, coastal locations, or poolside use, opt for IP65-rated lights, which offer full protection against dust and water jets. Always check the manufacturer's guidance for storage recommendations during prolonged harsh weather.
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