Festoon Light Buying Guide

December 05, 2024

Nothing transforms an outdoor space quite like the warm glow of festoon lighting. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy patio, liven up an event, or add charm to your garden, festoon lights are the ultimate choice for atmosphere. 

Festoon lights are more than just functional—they’re an experience. With the right bulbs and setup, you can create an outdoor space that’s warm, inviting, and beautifully lit for every occasion.

Why Choose Our Festoon Lights? 

When it comes to lighting, quality matters. We’ve been using the same trusted supplier for 11 years, and our Festoons have stood the test of time in all weather conditions across New Zealand, even when left outside permanently, they remain in great condition. Customer feedback is that the quality and longevity is unmatched – the only maintenance is the occasional bulb replacement.

Why we love them:

  • They are plug in - no need for an electrician to install
  • They’re 16m long - 14.2m of sockets for lights and 2m of cable to the plug
  • Multiple sets can be strung together (more on that below!)
  • Compatible with dimmer switches, giving you control over the mood. (dimmer must be universal and able to dim to zero)
  • They can be used indoor or outdoor 
  • low maintenance - the only maintenance required is the occasional replacement bulb.

Choosing Your Festoon Bulbs  

Festoon bulbs are all about setting the mood, and each bulb option brings something unique. Read about each style below, and get in touch with our team if you need a hand deciding which style is right for you!

Vintage Festoons - Why we love them: 

Classic, nostalgic, and cozy, vintage festoon bulbs give off a warm amber glow. These bulbs create a soft, inviting atmosphere and bring that timeless, Edison-style charm. 

  • Light Quality: Softer, warmer glow than LED. 

  • Energy Use: Higher than LED but worth it for the authentic feel. 

  • Connection Limit: You can string up to 6 sets together.

  • Note: They do get warm to the touch and don’t match LEDs in energy efficiency or lifespan—but for vintage vibes, they’re unbeatable. 

LED Festoons - Why we love them: 

Combining modern technology with classic style, LED festoon bulbs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and give off less heat. They’re also brighter than vintage bulbs, making them perfect for lighting larger spaces. 
  • Light Quality: Brighter than vintage, still warm toned, 
  • Energy Use: Lower wattage = greater efficiency, and longer lasting.
  • Connection Limit: You can connect up to 14 sets together. 

 

 

Hanging your Festoons:  

When it comes to hanging your festoon lights, the possibilities are endless. Each bulb fitting has a small loop to make installation easy. For spans over 4 meters, we recommend using wire for extra stability or our festoon poles. 

  • Hooks: Attach hooks to a fence, pergola, or house for easy hanging.
  • Festoon Poles: These are ideal to be used as support for your festoon strings over a distance- we recommend the ends of the strings, and any changes in the direction of the strings be secured to a fixture and the poles be used in-between to create the beautiful draping effect (pictured!)

Our festoon poles are easy to install, they push directly into the soil. They stand 270cm tall and are made from black powder-coated metal. 

Festoons look beautiful framing a pergola - strung back and forth in straight lines or a zig zag pattern, or draped dramatically for events. See below for inspo!

 Shop Festoons here