Christmas Lights

Indoor tree lights compared with outdoor Christmas lights

Check the rating before you buy: lights made for indoor use aren't built to handle rain or humidity, so they're lighter and more flexible for threading through tree branches and unable to withstand weather. If you're decorating the outside of your house for the street to see, choose an outdoor-rated string instead, because they use sealed connectors and thicker cabling to run safely along eaves, fence lines or garden beds without water getting into the wiring. Using an indoor-only string outside can trip a safety switch if moisture gets into a connector, cutting your display off.

Browse our fairy lights for tree and mantle displays, or outdoor Christmas lights for anything going outside.

Solar-powered Christmas lights for the garden and eaves

If running a cord across the lawn or along the fence line isn't practical, or you just don't want another appliance drawing power all December, solar Christmas lights are worth considering as they charge through a small panel during the day and switch on automatically once it's dark. Position the panel somewhere that gets direct sun for most of the day so that it gets enough charge to keep your string lights glowing for a full summer evening.

Most solar strings comfortably light up for hours through December evenings, without you needing to remember to switch anything on. They're a practical choice for garden beds, pathways and eaves - anywhere running a powered cord isn't easy or safe.

Add our solar Christmas lights for a cordless option anywhere in the garden.

Frequently asked questions

How many Christmas lights do I need for an average tree?

A 1.8 metre tree typically needs around 300 to 400 lights for full coverage. Add roughly 100 lights for every extra 30cm of tree height.

Can Christmas lights be left outside all December?

Outdoor-rated Christmas lights are designed to handle continuous exposure to rain and humidity for the full season. Check the packaging for an IP rating of at least IP44 before leaving any string outside long-term.

Do Christmas lights need to be turned off overnight?

Most modern Christmas lights run cool enough for extended use. It's still safer to turn them off overnight or when nobody is home, and a timer plug makes this easier to manage.

How do I store Christmas lights without them tangling?

Wrapping lights around a piece of cardboard or a dedicated light reel keeps strings separated and untangled for next year. Label each reel by length or location, such as tree or eaves, to save time when you're decorating again.

Does Temple & Webster sell battery-operated Christmas lights?

Yes, a number of our fairy light and outdoor ranges are available in battery-operated versions alongside mains and solar options. Battery-operated ranges are especially useful for wreaths, mantels and other spots without a nearby power point.