String Outdoor Lighting

What is the difference between string lights and festoon lights?

String lights and festoon style lights are closely related but differ in scale, bulb size and aesthetic effect. Garden string lights typically feature smaller, more delicate bulbs on a fine cable, creating a subtle, twinkling effect that works particularly well in trees, hedgerows and across intimate outdoor spaces. Outdoor festoon lights use larger, more industrial style bulbs on a heavier cable, producing a bolder, more graphic look that suits larger commercial spaces such as restaurant terraces, beer gardens and event venues. Both are forms of decorative outdoor lighting, and the choice between them often comes down to the scale of the space and the aesthetic being targeted.

Where can outdoor string lights be used?

Outdoor string lighting is one of the most versatile decorative exterior products available, suited to an enormous range of residential and commercial settings. In hospitality, patio string lighting is widely used across restaurant terraces, hotel gardens, rooftop bars and courtyard dining areas to create a warm, inviting atmosphere after dark. Wedding venues and events spaces use bulk string lights to dress both permanent and temporary outdoor setups, from pergolas and marquee exteriors to woodland ceremony spaces and festival sites. Holiday parks, glamping sites and boutique campsites use garden string lights across communal areas and individual pitches to add warmth and character. For property developers and interior designers working on residential schemes, fairy lights outdoor create an immediately appealing finish to garden rooms and terraces that photographs exceptionally well for marketing purposes.

Can outdoor string lights be left out all year?

Mains powered garden string lights with a suitable IP rating are designed for permanent outdoor installation and can be left in situ year round in typical UK weather conditions. Most of our wholesale outdoor lighting in this category carries a minimum IP44 rating, providing reliable protection against rain and wind. Battery operated outdoor string lights are better suited to seasonal or temporary use, as battery performance can be affected by prolonged cold temperatures. For trade buyers who want to automate switching and reduce energy consumption across a permanent installation, outdoor smart lights with scheduling functionality are worth considering alongside a mains-powered string light setup. For other outdoor lighting options, check out our full solar garden lights range.

How do you hang outdoor string lights?

The most common approach is to string garden string lights between fixed anchor points such as fence posts, pergola beams, tree branches or purpose-built poles, creating a canopy of light above a terrace or garden area. For a more structured look, running string lights along a catenary wire between anchor points gives a cleaner, more commercial finish that is better suited to restaurant and hospitality settings. Wrapping fairy lights around trees, planters and architectural features adds accent lighting at a lower level and creates visual interest throughout a garden scheme. For trade buyers installing patio string lighting across large commercial spaces, planning anchor points and cable runs carefully before installation saves significant time and ensures an even, balanced result.

What other outdoor lighting works well alongside string lights?

Outdoor string lighting works best as the overhead decorative layer within a broader exterior scheme. Outdoor wall lights at building perimeters and entrances provide the functional ambient base that string lights sit within rather than replace, and at ground level decking lights add definition to pathways and garden edges. For al fresco dining settings, pairing string lights above with outdoor rechargeable lights on the tables themselves creates a fully layered scheme that feels warm and considered at every level.