String Outdoor Lights & Festoons

String outdoor lights are the quickest way to give a patio, stoep, garden or venue a warm, festive glow. The range runs from festoon and bistro strings with large bulbs to fine fairy lights, flexible rope lights and solar strings that need no plug. OutdoorLighting.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form and we pass it to independent local lighting suppliers, electricians and installers, who quote you directly. We do not sell, stock or install anything ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation to accept any quote.

Types of outdoor string lights

Each kind of outdoor lights on string suits a different job:

Festoon or bistro strings: large LED bulbs on a heavy cable, for patios, braai areas and restaurant terraces
Fairy lights: tiny LEDs on thin wire, wrapped around trees, railings and pergolas
Rope lights: LEDs inside a flexible tube, run along steps or edges; for a neater modern line see LED strip lights
Solar strings: a small panel charges a battery, ideal where there is no plug

Festoons with 2200 K amber-tinted bulbs give the classic warm look. Cool white fairy lights suit festive displays but can feel harsh over a dining table.

IP44 or IP65: choosing weatherproof strings

Check the IP rating before buying. IP44 strings resist splashes and suit covered stoeps and patios, but not exposed spots. IP65 or better is sealed against rain and hose spray, and is the safer choice for gardens that face Highveld summer storms or coastal wind. Look for rubber cable, sealed bulb holders and shatterproof plastic bulbs rather than glass. See waterproof outdoor lights for more on ratings.

Connectable mains strings and catenary wire

Commercial festoon systems are connectable: 10 m runs plug end to end up to a stated maximum, from one weatherproof outlet. Plug-in strings are a DIY job, but a new outdoor plug point is fixed wiring that needs a registered electrician and a CoC. For spans over a few metres, string the lights along a stainless catenary wire tensioned between posts or walls, so the cable carries no load and does not sag in the wind. Use stainless hooks and turnbuckles, because zinc-plated fittings rust quickly in coastal air. Check the maximum number of runs per outlet, as overloading a connectable string can melt the plugs.

Festive season and events

Demand peaks from November into the festive season, when outdoor lights for Christmas, weddings and year-end functions go up. Venues often hire festoons with installation rather than buy. If you want permanent strings over a stoep or patio, say so, because installers then quote fixed brackets and wire rather than temporary ties. Solar strings keep glowing during load-shedding; see solar lights.

What to include in your request

Give the total length of each run to be lit
Say whether the area is covered or exposed
State whether you want to buy, hire or have them installed
Mention if you need a new outdoor plug point
Give the date if it is for an event or festive season

String Lights for different properties

Homes: festoon strings over the patio and braai area, fairy lights in the garden trees
Estates and complexes: warm strings over the clubhouse terrace and communal braai area
Farms and smallholdings: festoons over the farm stoep, barn dances and outdoor wedding spaces
Shops and offices: festoon canopies over restaurant forecourts, markets and shopping centre courtyards
Industrial sites: temporary festoons for year-end functions in warehouse yards and canteens
Lodges, guesthouses and venues: connectable festoons over wedding lawns, lodge decks and restaurant terraces
Municipalities, schools and clubs: festive string lights across main streets, parks and public squares

Frequently asked questions

Does OutdoorLighting.co.za sell string lights?

No. We are a free quote service only. Your request goes to independent local suppliers, electricians and installers, who quote you directly for the lights, hire or installation. We do not sell, stock or install string lights, and there is no fee or obligation to accept a quote.

Are solar string lights bright enough?

Solar strings give a soft decorative glow rather than working light. They are fine for fairy-light effects in trees and along fences, and keep running through load-shedding. For a dining patio or event, mains festoons with brighter bulbs are usually better, as they give stronger, steadier light all evening.

Can string outdoor lights stay up all year?

Yes, if they are rated for it. Choose IP65 strings with rubber cable and plastic bulbs, hang them on a tensioned catenary wire, and plug them into a weatherproof outlet. Cheap indoor-grade festive strings fade and fail quickly in South African sun and rain.

How long a festoon do I need?

Measure each run you want to light, then add about 10 to 15 percent for droop and connections. A zigzag over a patio uses far more length than a straight edge, so sketch the layout. Suppliers can then quote the number of connectable runs and the fixings.

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String Outdoor Lights and Festoon Lighting

Types of outdoor string lights

IP44 or IP65: choosing weatherproof strings

Connectable mains strings and catenary wire

Festive season and events

What to include in your request

String Lights for different properties

Frequently asked questions

String Lights by province and city

More outdoor lighting

Walls & entrancesWall lights, bulkheads, lanterns and patio lighting

Garden & landscapeGarden lights, spotlights, bollards, poles, strings, strips and pools

Solar lightingOff-grid lights that keep working through load-shedding

Security & areaFlood lights, sensor lights, street lights and sports fields

Services & guidesInstallation, design, repairs, LED and waterproof lighting

Get outdoor lighting quotes

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