Warm white LED Christmas tree lights
The classic look: warm white LEDs on green cable that disappears into the branches. Look for a multi-function controller with…
Christmas lights
Light up Christmas
Warm white or multi-colour, plug-in or battery, app-controlled or old-school: find the right Christmas lights for your tree, your windows and the front of your house – and use them safely.
Shop Christmas lights
How many lights does my tree need?
A popular rule of thumb is around 100 bulbs per foot of tree for a well-lit look. Go up to 150–200 per foot if you love a really bright tree, or use cluster lights for a dense glow.
| Tree height | Subtle | Classic (100/ft) | Bright |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3ft | 150 | 300 | 450+ |
| 5ft | 250 | 500 | 750+ |
| 6ft | 300 | 600 | 900+ |
| 7ft | 350 | 700 | 1,000+ |
| 8ft | 400 | 800 | 1,200+ |
Warm white, cool white or colour?
Warm white has a cosy, candle-like glow that suits traditional and natural decorations. Cool or bright white looks crisp and icy, lovely with silver and blue or on flocked trees. Multi-colour is nostalgic and family-friendly. Can’t decide? Many sets (and all smart lights) switch between modes.
Cable colour
Green cable disappears into a green tree; clear or white cable suits white or flocked trees, windows and white walls. Copper or silver wire “fairy lights” are almost invisible.
Indoor and outdoor Christmas lights safety
Christmas lights are generally very safe when you buy good-quality sets and use them as the maker intends. These are the things that matter most.
IP ratings explained
An IP (Ingress Protection) rating has two digits: the first is protection against solids (dust, fingers), the second against water. Only use lights clearly marked as suitable for outdoor use outside, and never use indoor lights outdoors.
IP20Indoor only. No protection against water.
IP44Protected against splashing water. The usual minimum for outdoor Christmas lights.
IP65Dust-tight and protected against water jets. Better for exposed spots and projectors.
IP67 / IP68Dust-tight and protected against temporary (67) or continuous (68) immersion.
Remember that every part outdoors needs to be suitable: the lights, the connectors, the controller, the transformer or plug, and any extension lead. If a plug or transformer is indoor-only, keep it indoors and run only the outdoor-rated low-voltage cable outside, or use a proper weatherproof outdoor socket box.
Low-voltage transformers
Most good outdoor Christmas lights use a safety transformer that converts mains electricity (230V) to a low voltage, commonly 24V or 31V, before it reaches the lights. That means the cable and bulbs out in the rain carry only a low voltage, which is much safer if a cable is damaged. For outdoor use, we strongly prefer low-voltage sets over mains-voltage lights.
- Plug outdoor lights into a socket protected by an RCD (residual current device). Many modern consumer units include one; plug-in RCD adaptors are also available.
- Use only outdoor-rated extension leads, fully unwound, with connections kept off the ground and out of puddles.
- Don’t connect more sets together than the maker allows, and never mix different brands’ connectors.
- Don’t trap cables in windows or doors, and fix them with proper clips, not nails or staples.
Timers save energy and worry
A timer means your lights come on when you want them and, crucially, go off when you are asleep or out. Many sets have a built-in timer (often 6 or 8 hours on, then off until the same time next day). For mains-powered lights you can use a plug-in timer, or an outdoor-rated timer inside a weatherproof box for outdoor displays. Smart plugs and smart lights let you schedule from your phone.
Indoor safety checklist
- Check old lights every year before use: replace any with cracked bulbs, frayed or damaged cables, or loose connections. Don’t try to repair them.
- Buy from reputable retailers and brands, and look for UKCA or CE marking.
- Choose LED lights: they run much cooler and use far less electricity than old filament bulbs.
- Switch lights off when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Keep lights away from curtains, paper decorations, candles and heaters, and don’t overload sockets or daisy-chain adaptors.
- For a real tree, keep it watered: a dry tree is far more flammable.
Button batteries: some battery lights and light-up decorations use coin or button cells, which can cause serious internal injuries if swallowed. Choose products with screw-secured battery compartments, keep spares locked away, and seek urgent medical help if you think a child has swallowed one.
All Christmas light collections
Outdoor icicle lights
Dangling LED drops along gutters, eaves and fences. Some sets have a "snowing" or chasing effect. Measure your roofline first.
Smart app-controlled Christmas tree lights
Program colours, patterns and animations from your phone, set schedules and use voice control with Alexa or Google.
Multi-colour Christmas tree lights
Retro multi-colour lights for a cheerful, family-style tree. Many sets switch between colour and warm white.
Cluster Christmas tree lights
Hundreds or thousands of tightly packed LEDs on a short, dense cable: the high-end "glow" look for trees and garlands.
Outdoor Christmas string lights
Weather-resistant string lights for garden trees, fences and pergolas. Check for an IP44 rating or above and a low-voltage…
Christmas net lights for hedges
A grid of LEDs you throw over a hedge or bush for instant, even coverage. Much quicker than wrapping string lights.
Battery fairy lights with timer
Fine-wire battery lights for wreaths, jars, garlands, windows and tabletop trees. A 6-hour timer saves batteries.
Christmas light projectors
Cover the front of your house in moving snowflakes or stars from one compact projector. Look for outdoor rating, remote and timer.
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