A well-installed festoon lighting string does more for an outdoor entertaining space than almost any other single investment. Dulora's outdoor festoon light range is available in white festoon lights and black festoon lights across multiple lengths with waterproof construction rated for permanent outdoor installation. The warm filament glow of an S14 festoon globe at 2200K or 2700K creates an atmosphere in a backyard or entertaining area that overhead lights and downlights cannot replicate. Festoon light poles are available for freestanding installations where fixing points are limited, and the range is designed for both DIY backyard festoon setups and professional outdoor entertainment venue installations. For the complete buyer's guide to outdoor festoon lighting in Australia, see Best Outdoor Festoon Lights Australia. For a step-by-step guide to hanging festoon lights across a garden or entertaining area, see How to Hang String Lights. Browse Festoon Light Bulbs for replacement globes. SAA certified.
How to Plan and Install Festoon Lights in Your Outdoor Space
Festoon lighting is one of the most effective outdoor lighting investments available. A single string run across a backyard entertaining area, courtyard, or outdoor structure transforms the space in a way that overhead downlights and ground-level garden lights cannot. Getting the installation right means understanding cable colour, how to hang, pole placement, and how to choose the right string length for your space.
Choosing between white and black festoon cable
The cable colour of a festoon string is a visible design decision that should be made before purchase. White festoon lights suit timber, natural material, and coastal aesthetics where the cable is either intended to disappear against a light-coloured structure or to contribute a clean, contemporary quality to the installation. Black festoon lights suit industrial, contemporary, and dark-framed structures where the cable colour either disappears against the structure or deliberately contributes to the aesthetic.
Both white and black cable options in the Dulora range are waterproof rated for permanent outdoor installation and carry the same globe socket spacing, string lengths, and compatibility with the full S14 globe range.
How to hang festoon lights across an outdoor structure
The most common festoon installation in Australian homes is a horizontal run across an outdoor dining structure or entertaining area. For a straight single-row run, fix the cable ends to opposing posts or beams with outdoor-rated hooks or cable guides, and allow a natural drape of 200 to 300mm at the midpoint of each span. For longer spans above 5 metres, a supporting cable wire run between fixing points prevents excessive sag and keeps the string visually controlled.
For a complete step-by-step installation guide with instructions for zigzag, canopy, and pole-to-pole configurations, see How to Hang String Lights.
Using festoon light poles for freestanding installations
Festoon light poles provide anchor points where no fixed structure is available: in open lawn areas, courtyard spaces, or entertaining areas where the perimeter does not have posts or beams at the right height. Dulora's festoon pole range is designed for ground-spike installation with adjustable height for standard residential festoon string lengths.
For pole-to-pole runs, space the poles at a maximum span determined by the drape tolerance of the string and the visual result you want. A 6 to 8 metre pole-to-pole span is a practical maximum for a clean installation with moderate drape.
Waterproofing and outdoor ratings
All Dulora festoon light strings are rated for outdoor installation with waterproof cable, socket construction, and S14 globe bases. The IP rating of the festoon string covers the cable, sockets, and globe base; the globe itself also carries an outdoor rating for S14 festoon globes. For a detailed explanation of IP ratings and what they mean for outdoor festoon installations, see the IP ratings guide in Festoon Light Bulbs. For the complete buyer's guide to outdoor festoon lighting, see Best Outdoor Festoon Lights Australia.
Atmosphere, Illuminated.
Frequently Asked Questions: Festoon Lights
- What is the difference between white and black festoon cable?
- White festoon cable suits timber, coastal, and natural material aesthetics where a clean, light cable colour is appropriate. Black festoon cable suits industrial, contemporary, and dark-framed structures. Both carry the same waterproof rating, string lengths, and S14 globe socket compatibility.
- How do I hang festoon lights outdoors?
- Fix the cable ends to opposing posts or beams with outdoor-rated hooks or cable guides, and allow a natural drape of 200 to 300mm at the midpoint of each span. For spans above 5 metres, run a supporting wire between fixing points to prevent excessive sag. For full installation instructions including zigzag and canopy configurations, see our hanging guide
- Are Dulora festoon lights waterproof?
- Yes. Dulora festoon light strings are constructed with waterproof cable and socket housings rated for permanent outdoor installation. The S14 festoon globes available as replacement globes also carry an outdoor rating for use in the festoon string system.
- What length festoon string do I need?
- Measure the total run length of your intended installation, including any overhead spans and the distance to your power point. Standard Dulora festoon strings are available in multiple lengths; for longer installations, strings can be daisy-chained up to the rated maximum load of the connecting system.
- Are Dulora festoon lights SAA certified?
- Yes. All Dulora festoon light strings and components are SAA certified for Australian outdoor electrical installations.
