how to Hang Fairy Lights on Curtain — 3 Ways That Actually Stay Up

Want to know how to hang fairy lights on curtain without ruining the fabric? I tested 3 methods for 8 months. Here is what actually stays up.

Last Thanksgiving, I dropped $60 on curtain fairy lights. I wanted a cozy glow for my living room window. Guests would walk in and say “wow.” That did not happen.

I used clear tape. By morning, three strands peeled off. They hung like sad noodles. My mom looked at them and said: “Why do your lights look so sad?”

That stung. So I got stubborn. I tried 4 different hanging methods. I messed up 3 times. Finally, I found the ones that work. This post shares my fails and fixes. You can skip the $60 lesson I paid for.

Not sure which curtain fairy lights fit your window? Check our size guide first.

Soft tip: If you just want it done, skip straight to Method 1. Ten minutes. Done.

How to Hang Fairy Lights on Curtain with Clips

This is my go-to now. Ten minutes. No wall damage. Easy to remove when you move out.

Here is how to hang fairy lights on curtain with clips:

1. Grab a pack of curtain clips — about $5 for 12.
2. Clip the main horizontal wire onto the top pleats. Space them 12–15 inches apart.
3. Let the string hang naturally. Do not pull tight. Leave a slight droop for a curtain of light.
4. Run the battery box or USB cable along the frame to the outlet. Use Command strips to secure the wire.

Why it works: Fastest, most secure, zero curtain damage.
The catch: Adds a little weight. Not great for super lightweight sheer.

My friend Jenna used this method 8 months ago. Still up.

How to Hang Curtain Fairy Lights by Weaving Through Pleats

This one I kept messing up. Then Megan came over. She took one look and finished in three minutes.

Best for: Cotton curtains, pleated drapes, blackout curtains.

How to do it:

1. Close the curtain all the way.
2. Start from the top. Thread the string through the vertical pleats. Over, under, over, under — like lacing a shoe.
3. At each pleat, use a small clip to hold it. Do not use pins. They leave holes.
4. Once you reach the height you want, wrap the excess wire back up.

Why it looks cleanest: The string hides inside the folds. Light seeps through the fabric. You barely see the wire.

My screw-up: First time I pulled too tight. The curtain would not close. Leave about two inches of slack per section.

Worried about pulling your curtains out of shape? See damage-free indoor fairy lights for bedroom tips.

How to Hang Fairy Lights on Curtain with Command Hooks

After trying the first two, I realized the best solution for sheer curtains is not even on the fabric. It is on the window frame.

Best for: Sheer curtains, thin drapes, curtains without pleats.

How to hang fairy lights on curtain using a hook grid:

1. Stick 3–4 Command Hooks across the top of the frame.
2. Stick 2–3 on each side for an arc or straight lines.
3. Run the string from the top hook down to the side hooks in a zigzag grid.
4. The lights hang in front of the curtain. They never touch the fabric.

Why it is most secure: The lights are independent from the curtain. Opening and closing does not tug the string. Command Hooks have plenty of holding power. Sheer curtains do not get weighed down or stretched.

My neighbor Dave did this on his sheer curtains last Thanksgiving. Still going strong.

Soft tip: Command Hooks hold up to 5 lbs. This light set weighs less than 1 lb. You are fine.

Who These Are NOT For

Honestly, not everyone needs this specific light set. Think twice if any of these sound like you:

• Very thin sheer curtains and you care about drape — added weight will change the fall. Use Method 3 (lights in front).
• You open and close curtains aggressively multiple times a day — the string may get caught. Choose battery-operated lights hanging in front.
• You only need lights for one night (like a photo shoot) — just get a cheap battery set and toss it on the bed.
• Your window frame is a skinny metal one where nothing sticks — use a tension rod and hang lights from the rod.

If you are in any of these, save your money.

Soft tip: But if you have a normal window and 10 minutes, these lights will make your place look more expensive than it is.

Safety Check — UL588 Matters

People overlook safety. According to CPSC data, decorative holiday lights caused 202 deaths and 762 injuries in the U.S. between 1980 and 1996. Main issues: undersized wire, poor strain relief, no overcurrent protection.

UL588 standards were updated in 1994 (strain relief) and 1997 (wire gauge and overcurrent protection). Between 2000 and 2013, deaths dropped to 43. Annual average went from 11.9 to 3.07.

We only carry UL588-certified string lights. This is the baseline. Not a nice-to-have. For more on safety standards, visit CPSC.gov.

FAQ

Need a battery-operated option? This battery fairy lights copper wire set is flexible and easy to wrap.

Written by Jake Miller, the guy who stripped a screw on his first try. He now hangs fairy lights without dropping them on radiators.