Best outdoor festoon lights to brighten up your garden

Shopping | ES Best Home | Home & GardenBest outdoor festoon lights to brighten up your gardenThe secret to creating a magical outdoor oasis The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.UnsplashAbha Shah @brimfulofashah40 seconds agoSign up for our free weekly newsletter for hot deals, best buys and expert reviewsSign upI would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.Good lighting can make a world of difference.It can turn a stark room into a cosy nook, a fresh student dorm into a homely space and bring magical vibes to your outside space with the flick of a switch. Gardens, balconies, porches and decks of any description can all be elevated by strings of twinkling festoon lights. A bigger, shinier sister to fairy lights (invented in 1881 for London’s Savoy Theatre), these large oversized bulb string lights work in much the same way, powered by the mains, batteries or solar, the increasingly sustainable choice. Festoon lights are so named because they’re often seen at parties and big celebrations such as wedding receptions, landmark birthdays and anniversaries. The glow they emit is warm and welcoming, but not blinding - you’re unlikely to do much reading by these, but they’ll cast a gently diffused luminosity over your gathering (and provide flattering lighting for selfies, a crucial element in our purchasing considerations).Read MoreFrom sculptural sofas to 'outdoor living rooms': Five garden furniture trends to invest in for 2026Heatwave ready? Best cooling fans with fast Amazon deliveryThe spring edit: 23 must-have homeware pieces for an instant interiors refresh (from £6)How to set up festoon lightsInstalling them in an outside space will make it a more inviting place to be. You may need supports like adjustable poles or Shepherd’s Hooks if you’re hoping to string them above head height but if you...