Home Product Information Festoon String Lights: Buying Guide

Festoon String Lights: Buying Guide

Last updated on Mar 16, 2026

Festoon String Lights: Buying Guide

Festoon string lights add warmth and character to any space, from outdoor entertaining areas and backyards to restaurants, pergolas and indoor living spaces. This guide will help you choose the right string for your needs.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

The most important first question is where you plan to use your festoon lights.

| Use | What to Look For | |---|---| | Indoors only | Standard festoon string | | Covered outdoor area (undercover pergola, verandah) | IP44 rated or higher | | Fully exposed outdoor area (rain, direct weather) | IP65 rated or higher |

What is an IP rating? IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first number refers to dust protection and the second to water protection. IP44 means splash-proof from any direction; IP65 means protected against low-pressure water jets. For Australian outdoor conditions, we generally recommend IP65 for exposed areas.

Bulb Styles

LiquidLEDs festoon strings are available with different bulb shapes to suit different aesthetics:

  • G45 (golf ball): compact and understated, suits modern and Scandi-style spaces
  • ST64 (Edison / vintage teardrop): the classic festoon look, warm filament-style glow
  • A60 (standard globe): versatile everyday shape, clean and neutral

All LiquidLEDs festoon bulbs are LED, meaning they run cool to the touch and use a fraction of the energy of traditional festoon bulbs.

Colour Temperature

For festoon lighting we generally recommend:

  • 2200K-2400K: deep amber, warm candlelight glow, ideal for alfresco and entertaining
  • 2700K: warm white, the most popular all-round choice for indoor and outdoor use

Can I Dim My Festoon Lights?

Yes. LiquidLEDs festoon strings are compatible with standard LED-compatible dimmer switches. For the smoothest dimming experience, we recommend using an LED trailing-edge dimmer or the Pixie Dimmer.

Note that the bulbs must be dimmable (marked DIM on the product) and the dimmer must be rated for the total wattage of your string.

How Long a String Do I Need?

A quick guide to planning your run length:

  • Measure your space end to end, allowing for any draping or catenary sag
  • Add 10-15% extra length for natural sag between fixing points
  • Spacing between bulbs on LiquidLEDs strings is typically 50cm or 1m, which affects the density and warmth of light

Connecting Multiple Strings

LiquidLEDs festoon strings can be daisy-chained end to end. Always check the maximum connected load specified on the product; exceeding this can cause overheating or trip a circuit.

Hanging Tips

  • Fix strings using cable ties, screw-in hooks or festoon wire clips rated for outdoor use if installing externally
  • Maintain a gentle catenary (curve) rather than a straight run, as this looks better and reduces tension on the connectors
  • Keep connectors and plugs under cover where possible, even on IP-rated strings

Need Help Planning Your Installation?

Our team can help you work out the right string length, bulb style and mounting approach for your space. Contact us or call +61 2 8880 9033 (weekdays 8am-6pm AEDST).