How to Hang Festoon Lights? – 3 Steps

Step 1: Plan Your Festoon Lighting Layout and Fixing Points

Before starting, lay out your Festoon lights on the ground where you plan to install them. This helps visualise the final setup and ensures you have enough lights.

Tip: Avoid placing the lights over furniture or obstacles, as this can skew your measurements.

Next, choose a pattern for your festoon lights. Popular designs include X, V, zig-zag, parallel or pinwheel, depending on the area’s shape. Remember to consider the power source location when selecting a pattern.

Simultaneously, identify suitable fixing points in your backyard. Trees, tall fence posts, and house walls make excellent supports for your lighting.
For fixing points far from the house, installing posts or poles is a practical solution. With minimal effort, you can set up sturdy poles, giving you more flexibility in your lighting design.

Ensure fixing points are less than 8 metres apart if you’re not using support wires.

Lastly, test all LED globes to ensure they work before hanging them. This prevents the hassle of discovering issues post-installation.

Pro tip: Utilise your backyard’s natural features like trees, fences, pergolas, and patios as sturdy fixing points.

Step 2: Install Fixing Points (and Support Wire if Necessary)

Once you’ve settled on a pattern, it’s time to install the fixing points. Depending on your design, simple metal hooks or eyes usually suffice. Ensure you close these fixing points to prevent the wind from dislodging the cables. Drill holes for the hooks first, then screw in the fixing points. Adhesives can provide extra security but are often unnecessary for most outdoor surfaces.

If your festoon lights span more than 16 metres, consider installing support wires. Rustproof, stainless steel wire is ideal for this purpose.

Step 3: Attach Lights to Fixing Points or Support Wire

With the support wire in place, secure the lights using cable ties. This process is straightforward but ensure someone holds the ladder while you work. If attaching lights to steel wire, place zip ties on either side of the LED globes for a tidy finish.

For festoon lights with hooks, loop the zip tie through the hook and around the support wire. If fixing points are less than 10 metres apart, you can attach the lights directly without a support wire. After stringing the lights, ensure the power cord is secure against walls, the ground and any posts to prevent accidents.

Connect to Power and Turn on the System

Finally, with all the LED bulbs securely in place, switch on the power to test the system. The warm white glow from the festoon lights will beautifully illuminate your space, perfect for memorable evenings.

240V IP65 Outdoor LED Festoon Lights

Our 14.6-meter IP65 Festoon Lights, featuring 15 individual LED bulbs, are the perfect addition to transform your outdoor spaces. These robust S14 festoon lights are both waterproof and shatterproof, ensuring durability and resilience against the elements.
Key Features:
– Ultra Energy-Saving and Shockproof LED Bulbs: Designed for efficiency and durability.
– IP65 Water Resistant: Withstands bad weather conditions.
– End-to-End Connectivity: Connect up to 20 sets for expansive coverage.
– Heavy Duty Materials: Built to last with a long lifetime of 25,000 hours.
– Warranty: Comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.

FAQ

What are Festoon Lights?

Festoon lights are a type of decorative lighting often used for outdoor events, parties, weddings, and festivals. They typically consist of a string or cable with multiple bulbs spaced evenly along its length. These bulbs are often larger and more decorative than standard light bulbs, and they can come in various shapes, colours, and designs. Festoon lights are commonly hung overhead between poles, trees, or buildings, creating a charming and festive atmosphere. They can add warmth and ambience to any outdoor space, whether it’s a backyard, patio, or garden.

How to hang Festoon Lights on a fence

To decorate your fence with festoon lights, start by attaching 3-metre wooden posts with cup hooks to the fence. Secure the posts with side nails for a firm hold, though using screws will provide an even sturdier setup. Most fences have concrete-reinforced posts, which serve as a solid base to support your light-bearing posts.

For designs requiring posts taller than 3 metres, install these posts independently rather than attaching them to the fence to ensure stability. Space the posts about 2.5 metres apart to create a graceful zig-zag pattern, or adjust the spacing to achieve your desired design, such as X or V shapes.

How to hang Festoon lights under Pergolas or Covered Patios

Hanging festoon lights under a pergola or covered patio is an easy and effective way to enhance your outdoor space. Start by installing cup hooks at one-metre intervals beneath the structure to support the lights. You can choose to align the lights with the existing architectural lines for a cohesive look or try different patterns to create a distinctive ambience. This method ensures a secure and visually appealing installation, transforming the beauty and functionality of your outdoor living area.

How to Hang Festoon Lights on Patios, Decks or Hard Surfaces

Installing festoon lights on hard surfaces like patios or decks requires careful planning. Use buckets filled with concrete to anchor your light posts, spacing them according to your design layout. To handle the pull from the festoon lights, especially over large spans, make sure each post is heavily weighted at the base to resist wind and prevent tipping.

Consider using metal tubing secured with tube clamps instead of simple hooks for a sturdier installation. This approach gives you the flexibility to position your posts anywhere, allowing for more intricate and creative light arrangements.

Key to Hanging Festoon Lights Successfully

The secret to a flawless festoon light setup is in the planning. Despite the lights’ lightweight nature and the durability of most hooks, it’s crucial to balance the tension among components to prevent undue stress. With careful preparation, you can effortlessly hang festoon lights almost anywhere, elevating the ambience of your outdoor spaces with a warm, welcoming glow.