Give your garden a magical festive glow with our pick of the best outdoor Christmas lighting ideas, from simple candle clusters to festoons of twinkling fairy lights. Christmas is the party season, so what better way to decorate your (hopefully) snowy garden, patio or courtyard with a spattering of glittery lights.
Whether you want to set the scene for an inimate atmosphere, light the way for your guests, or simply to create a starry silhouette to twinkle in the nights skies, we have all your lighting needs sorted.
Hanging outdoor lanterns
Create a magical winter seating area by hanging a cluster of lantern lights and white Christmas decorations over a patio.
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Bay tree strung with outdoor lights
Decorate a bay tree by your front door with simple fairy lights for a pretty front garden and a warm welcome.
Similar indoor and outdoor LED fairy lights
ChristmasTimeUK
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Outdoor candle bundles
Tie three or four white dinner candles together to create an evocative light on an outdoor table. Surround with a circlet of winter greenery, such as gypsophila, for a pretty touch. Never leave burning candles unattended.
Similar candles
Habitat
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Pre-lit garden branches and trees
If your garden is less than green, think about tying in some prelit decorative twigs for a little outdoor twinkle - or even a pre-lit tree...
Similar pre-lit branches
Bents
Similar pre-lit Christmas tree
John Lewis
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Front door wreath with lights
Add an extra dimension to your festive wreath with warm white fairy lights. Choose simple foliage for a stylish effect.
Similar pre-lit wreath
WeRChristmas
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Garden bushes decorated with fairy lights
Go all out by festooning bushes and walls alike with fairy lights for a beautiful outdoor display. Stick to a single colour to avoid overload.
Similar solar-powered fairy lights
The Solar Centre
Similar garden lanterns
Garden Trading at Not on the High Street
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Fairy lights displayed in plant pots
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best? Gather a string of small LED lights into plant pots for glittering lights. Try a different colour in each pot for a fun look.
Similar outdoor battery fairy lights
Lights4fun
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Front door steps with lighted candles
Create a magical pathway to your home with candles. Choose a mixture of pillar candles and large hurricane lamps for a glittering display.
Similar pillar candles and hurricane candleholders
Marks & Spencer
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Hanging garden stars
Hang lit stars from bare branches for a gorgeous festive mood in the garden. Dotting a few around creates an enchanting scene.
Similar star wreaths
The Lovely Light Company at Not on the High Street
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Front garden trees with fairy lights
Drape overhanging boughs with solar-powered fairy lights to frame your house. If possible, hang them in tall trees for a starry look.
Similar solar fairy lights
The Solar Centre
Liked this? Take a look at our Christmas channel for more festive ideas
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Illuminate a garden with paper lanterns
Light the way to your Christmas party with bright paper lanterns. These work best on snow-laden boughs so keep your fingers crossed for a white Christmas.
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Wrap fairy lights around branches for woodland style
Get rustic woodland style this Christmas by wrapping tiny fairy lights around wooden branches and adding decorations in natural materials.
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Line a footpath with lanterns
Why not go all out and create a twinkling footpath by lining the
approach to your home with chunky church candles and glass lanterns.
Team with tiny fairy lights to ensure Father Christmas doesn't miss your house.
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Create an outdoor feature
Create a magical outdoor feature by stringing fairy lights along a metal frame to create a sculptural outdoor Christmas tree. No other decorations required.
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Use a white palette to maximise light
Get Scandi
style by hanging up pretty white votive holders outside your home. Team
with branches of winter greens and whitewashed furniture to keep the
look fresh and bright.
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Add sparkle to a festive wreath
Welcome guests with a traditional wreath on your front door and scatter pin lights through it for extra sparkle.
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Use candles for Dickensian charm
Lining a footpath with lanterns is a classic styling trick, but add some slim white candles and you'll be transported back to a different era.
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Create a dramatic feature with pin lights
Do you have a flair for the dramatic and lots of spare time? If so try this design idea - string hundreds of tiny outdoor lights in the branches of the trees leading up to your house to create a twinkling wonderland.
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String up classic lanterns for Nordic style
Create a cosy outdoor seating spot by stringing up traditional metal
lanterns on a verandah or decking area and filling them with twinkling
candles. Warm blankets essential!
