[SML] Searching for Festoon lights, with RGB ability - but not addressable

[Jon Ares]

A quick Amazon search shows several RGBW string lights - festoon-ish....
"cafe lights" "patio lights"....  some work with an app, and/or a remote
control.... doesn't appear to be DMX, but...

** I would definitely stay away from anything GOVEE.... for setup, and
operation (including turning them on and off) requires an app, and requires
you log in to the app every damn time. And if you unplug the lights, they
have to re-connect to the app, and it's a hassle.... just stay away from
GOVEE, and any that require an app for "programming."

I just searched "rgbw string lights" on Amazon. At least gives you some
vocabulary for deeper searching.

 - Jon

On Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM Joe via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> I am doing a lighting plan for an 1908 movie house to be used for some
> basic theatrical shows. Nothing is there, except for the footlights, and
> some dim house lighting. (details below message if you want to know more).
>
> I would like to install some festoon lights going from the dome in the
> middle of the cove vaulted ceiling, to the perimeter of the criling.  These
> would add to the fairly dim existing house lighting, plus add the
> possibility of using them for some fun color lighting. Though, don't want
> to go to the trouble of using an addressable pixel type of system (so they
> don't have to learn to use the specialized software used to control so many
> lights). Rather, I would want each string to have RGB (and perhaps a warm
> white), control of each strand. I can easily find DMX controllers for RGBW
> LED tape. But, I can't find the Festoon type lights to use with them. Note
> that if I found them, we would use perhaps 8 strands (3 or 4 DMX channels
> each) and they would each be between 40' and 50' Long.
>
> If I have to, I could settle on 24v white festoon lights, and use those
> same type of DMX LED strip controllers. In that case, there would be one
> strip per channel.
>
> Is there such a thing as the festoon equivalent of a RGBW LED tape?
> ---
> The details I promised in the first paragraph; it is the old 68th Street
> Theater in Upper Darby, PA.  Actor's Bible [ http://www.actors.bible ]
> has had the place for 10 years now, and named it Theatre 7000. (Address is
> 7000 Terminal Square). They had used it with a geodesic dome for
> projection, and all their lights were inside. But, that is now going out on
> tour, and so they want to add a light system for the open theater space
> itself.  There is essentially zero wing space, though the stage itself is
> fairly wide with a very high proscenium. There is fly space, a dressing
> room (up some short stairs), and even a trap room below the stage. Though,
> perhaps that was more related to the shallow orchestra pit. And while the
> space will host some shows in the future, created by Actors.Bible, they
> also want to use the space for conferences, and perhaps some home school
> groups, when they want to do their own dramas.
>
> -Joe
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Jon Ares
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