Festoon Globes for Outdoor String Lights, Every Form and Base

Festoon globes are the element that defines the warmth and visual character of an outdoor string light installation. Dulora's festoon globe range covers LED festoon replacement globes for the full Dulora festoon string system as well as compatible third-party outdoor festoon strings. Available forms include round festoon globes, fancy round festoon globes, S14 festoon globes, GLS festoon globes, and vintage Edison festoon globes across E27 and B22 bases, each in Extra Warm 2200K and Warm White 2700K with 1W and higher wattage options and waterproof base construction rated for permanent outdoor installation. For a guide to IP ratings and what they mean for outdoor globe selection, see IP Ratings Explained: IP44 vs IP65 Festoon Lights. For a complete guide to outdoor festoon lighting, see Best Outdoor Festoon Lights Australia. Browse the full Festoon Lighting range for string kits and poles. SAA certified.

Festoon Globes: Choosing the Right Form, Wattage, and Colour Temperature for Your Outdoor String Lights

The globe inside a festoon string is responsible for the quality of light and the visual character of the entire installation. A warm, well-chosen festoon globe creates an atmosphere that feels richly golden and inviting; the wrong choice produces a flat or inconsistent result that undermines even a well-installed string. Choosing the right festoon globe means understanding form, wattage, colour temperature, and outdoor rating.

Which festoon globe form is right for your installation?

Festoon globes are available in several distinct forms and the shape you choose contributes to the visual character of the entire installation. Round festoon globes and fancy round festoon globes produce a full, spherical silhouette that is the most recognisable festoon aesthetic, suited to garden entertaining areas and outdoor dining spaces where a classic warm-weather outdoor lighting look is the goal. Vintage Edison festoon globes feature a visible LED filament inside a clear glass envelope, producing the classic amber glow that suits industrial, coastal, and warm-timber aesthetics. S14 festoon globes offer a compact, straight-sided profile suited to contemporary and minimal string installations. GLS festoon globes offer a familiar pear-shaped profile suited to direct replacement of existing GLS-type festoon globes in E27 and B22 string sockets.

All forms are available in E27 and B22 bases. Most Australian festoon string systems use E27 sockets; check your existing string's socket type before ordering.

Choosing the right wattage

The right wattage for a festoon globe depends on the installation context. A 1W festoon globe produces a gentle, low-level glow suited to feature garden lighting, decorative courtyard strings, and installations where atmosphere is the priority over functional brightness. Higher wattage globes produce more output and suit backyard entertaining areas and commercial venue installations where the festoon string needs to provide genuine ambient lighting at table level as well as overhead atmosphere.

Colour temperature and outdoor festoon light

Extra Warm 2200K is the natural colour temperature for outdoor festoon installations. The deep amber warmth of 2200K at the low output of a festoon globe creates an atmosphere close to real candlelight, and in an outdoor space surrounded by natural material textures, the amber tone looks exactly right. Warm White 2700K is slightly brighter and cleaner, and suits installations where the festoon needs to provide slightly more functional ambient light alongside its atmospheric role.

Understanding IP ratings for outdoor festoon globes

IP ratings define the level of protection a globe provides against moisture and dust ingress. For outdoor festoon installations in Australia where the string will be exposed to rain, the festoon globe base must carry a minimum IP44 rating, which protects against water splashing from any direction. For more exposed installations where the globe may be subject to more direct water contact, IP65 provides a higher level of protection. For a full explanation of IP ratings and how to choose the right rating for your installation, see IP Ratings Explained: IP44 vs IP65 Festoon Lights.

Atmosphere, Illuminated.

Frequently Asked Questions: Festoon Globes

• What festoon globe forms are available and which base do I need?
• Dulora festoon globes are available in round, fancy round, S14, GLS, and vintage Edison forms across E27 and B22 bases. Most Australian festoon string systems use E27 sockets; check your existing string's socket base type before ordering to confirm compatibility.
• What is the difference between 1W and higher wattage festoon globes?
• A 1W festoon globe produces a gentle, low-level glow suited to decorative and feature installations where atmosphere is the priority. Higher wattage globes produce more output, suited to entertaining areas where the festoon string is the primary ambient light source at table level. Choose based on how much ambient light you need from the festoon string relative to other light sources in the space.
• What IP rating do I need for outdoor festoon globes?
• For outdoor festoon installations exposed to rain, a minimum IP44 rating is required for the globe base. This protects against water splashing from any direction. For more exposed installations, IP65 provides a higher level of protection against direct water contact.
• What colour temperature suits outdoor festoon lighting?
• Extra Warm 2200K is the most popular choice for outdoor festoon installations, producing a deep amber glow close to candlelight. Warm White 2700K is slightly brighter and cleaner, suited to installations where the festoon also needs to provide functional ambient lighting.
• Are Dulora festoon globes SAA certified?
• Yes. All Dulora festoon globes are SAA certified for Australian outdoor electrical installations and rated for permanent outdoor use.