G'day! With the warm evenings of spring and summer upon us, it's the perfect time to get the backyard ready for a season of barbies, parties, and long, lazy nights on the deck. And the number one go-to for creating that magical, festive atmosphere is a string of beautiful festoon lights.

For most Aussies, the mission to get that perfect backyard glow starts with a classic weekend ritual: the Bunnings run. The lighting aisle at Bunnings is packed with options, so which festoon lights from Bunnings are the right choice for you?

What's on the Shelves? The Types of Festoon Lights at Bunnings

When you hit the aisle, you'll find a fair dinkum huge range, usually from popular brands like Lytworx. They generally fall into two main categories.

Plug-in (Low Voltage) Festoon Lights

This is the most common and reliable option. These kits come with a string of lights and a long lead that connects to a transformer (a small power brick), which then plugs into a standard outdoor power point.

• Pros: They provide a consistent, bright light that you can rely on all night long. They're the best choice for your main entertaining area where you need good, reliable illumination.
• Cons: You need to have a power point within reach.

Solar-Powered Festoon Lights

These are the easiest and most flexible option, and they've become incredibly popular. The string of lights is connected to a small, separate solar panel that you just stake into a sunny spot in your garden.

• Pros: No power point needed! You can hang them anywhere you like. They cost nothing to run and turn on automatically at dusk. Too easy!
• Cons: The brightness can be a bit lower than plug-in models and their performance depends on how much sun the panel got during the day. On an overcast day, you might get a shorter run time.

A Word on Bulb Styles and Colours

You'll also see a bunch of different styles to choose from. Look for the classic round 'G45' globes for a party vibe, or the vintage-style 'Edison' filament bulbs for a warmer, more rustic look. While multi-coloured options are available, a warm white is the most popular choice for creating a classy, inviting atmosphere.

A Ripper Tip for a Pro-Looking Installation

Here’s a hot tip to make your setup look schmick and last longer: use a support wire. Instead of hanging the lights by their own electrical cord (which can stretch and sag), run a thin, steel guide wire between your hanging points first. Then, attach your festoon lights to the wire with zip ties. This takes all the strain off the cord and gives you a perfectly straight, professional-looking line.

When You Need a More Permanent Solution

The festoon lights from Bunnings are fantastic for most DIY setups where you're plugging into an existing power point.

But what if you're doing a major landscape or patio renovation and want a fully integrated, permanent outdoor lighting system that's controlled by a proper switch on the wall? Or what if you need a new, weatherproof power point installed in the perfect spot for your lights? This is where you need to go beyond a simple plug-in kit.

Any hardwired electrical work in Australia must be carried out by a licensed electrician. A qualified professional can install weatherproof outdoor power points, run dedicated circuits, and connect permanent transformers for a seamless, safe, and fully compliant finish.

For these trade-quality, permanent installations, professional installers rely on specialised gear from trusted electrical suppliers. Schnap Electric Products is a leading Australian supplier of all the components needed for a robust and compliant outdoor electrical system. They stock a huge range of weatherproof GPOs (power points), outdoor-rated switches, durable wiring, and the high-quality transformers that a qualified professional needs to create a safe, stunning, and long-lasting outdoor entertaining area. When you're ready to go from a plug-in solution to a permanent feature, the pros start with gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.