Solar Icicle Fairy Lights

Icicle lights are one of the most recognizable looks in holiday decorating, and for good reason. Instead of a single line along the roof, they hang in short drops of different lengths, so the eave looks as if it is dripping with light. The uneven edge is what makes them feel natural, like frost caught in the glow of a winter evening.

The Solar Icicle Fairy Lights bring that look to an eave, a railing or a window with no outlet needed. A solar panel charges through the day, and the lights come on by themselves at dusk and run through eight modes. They come in warm white, white or colorful, with 96 or 162 LEDs, and the strand is weatherproof for year round outdoor use.

What makes the solar icicle lights stand out

The drops are carefully varied. On the 96 LED version, 16 drop strings hang along a 137.7 inch run, at lengths of 19.7, 23.6 and 27.6 inches, spaced 8.26 inches apart. That mix of lengths is what gives the edge its icicle shape rather than a flat fringe.

Solar power removes the usual hassle. Holiday lights on a roofline typically mean an extension cord, an outdoor socket and a timer to remember. Here there is no plug and no timer: the panel charges by day, and the lights switch on at dusk by themselves. A 39.3 inch lead cable connects the panel, so it can sit a little way from the lights in a sunnier spot.

Eight modes let you set the mood. A steady glow suits a quiet evening, while the moving modes add sparkle for a party or a festive window.

Because they switch on by themselves, the lights also keep a regular rhythm with nothing to remember. There is no plug to push in at dusk and no timer to reset when the clocks change, so the display simply appears each evening.

The three light colors cover the classic looks. Warm white is soft and golden, white is crisp like real ice, and colorful brings the playful, cheerful look many people remember from childhood holidays.

Because the strand is weatherproof for year round outdoor use, the lights do not need to come down in January. A warm white set left on a porch or a pergola makes a gentle evening glow through every season.

Where it looks best, around the house

• Eaves and gutters. The classic icicle edge along the roofline.
• Porch roofs. Framing the front door with a fringe of light.
• Railings. Hanging from a deck or balcony rail.
• Windows. Across the top of a window, seen from inside and out.
• Pergolas. Along the beams above a seating area.

White suits a crisp winter scheme, warm white suits a cozy porch, and colorful suits a family home that loves a cheerful holiday display.

Choosing the size and placement

The 96 LED version measures 137.7 inches in total across 16 drop strings, with drops of 19.7, 23.6 and 27.6 inches spaced 8.26 inches apart, on a 39.3 inch lead cable. Measure the run before choosing a length, and check the Dimensions section above for the details of your chosen option.

A few guidelines help:

• Measure the eave, rail or window you want to cover and compare it with the run length.
• Site the panel where it gets several hours of direct daylight.
• Use the lead cable to move the panel out of the shade of the roof or a tree.
• Hang the drops so they fall freely, clear of gutters and branches.
• Keep the panel clear of snow, dust and leaves so it charges fully.

On a north facing roofline, the panel may need to sit on a sunnier corner, within reach of the lead cable, so it still gets enough daylight to charge.

If you are hanging the lights on a window, fix them to the outside of the frame rather than the inside, so the panel can reach daylight and the drops fall freely against the glass. From inside the room, the icicles still frame the view with a soft glow.

Layering it with other lighting

Icicle lights are a decorative layer that defines the edges of a house. They look best with a warm porch light by the door and a few path lights leading up to it, so the house feels welcoming as well as festive.

Browse the fairy and string lights collection for more strands to wind through shrubs and railings, or the path lights collection to light the way to the door.

Keep the color consistent across the house. A roofline in warm white with a porch in white can look mismatched, while a single tone throughout looks planned.

For a larger display, several sets in the same light color can run along the whole roofline, with each panel placed in its own sunny spot.

Are the solar icicle lights right for your space?

These lights are a strong fit if you:

• Want a classic icicle edge on an eave, rail or window.
• Have no outdoor outlet where the lights need to go.
• Want lights that switch on by themselves at dusk.
• Would like a weatherproof strand that can stay up all year.

They are not the right choice if the only place for the panel is in full shade, or if you need bright light to see by. For those, a plug in string or a wall light will suit better.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about lengths and colors are answered at info@norafurnish.com.