Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. Our local stores do not honor online pricing. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted.

9 Holiday Luminaries to Decorate with This Holiday Season

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Updated February 28, 2023

Brighten long winter nights with the twinkle and glow of luminaries. Perfect for parties or everyday enchantment, these simple luminaries warm a winter landscape — and your spirit.

Ornate, colorful luminaries.

What Is a Luminary, and What Is Its Purpose?

A luminary is a decorative light, often used during Christmas and the winter in general. It can be as simple as a candle in a paper bag or jar. Today, many people use electric lights for safety and ease. A luminary light produces a warm, cheerful glow. Luminaries are known by several other names, including farolito ("little lantern") and luminaria ("festival light"). The purpose of luminaries is to provide decoration and a small amount of light.

What Do Luminaries Symbolize?

Luminaries have traditionally symbolized vigil bonfires as part of celebrations in New Mexico and elsewhere in the Southwestern United States, though they have their roots in pre-Christian indigenous culture. When used as part of Christmas celebrations, luminaries — which were originally pinon branches — were believed to provide a beacon leading to the home. They still have symbolism related to guiding religious figures to one's home. Luminaries' meaning has also expanded to encompass the holiday spirit, belief, love, hospitality and peace.

Are Luminaries a Fire Hazard?

Traditional luminaries composed of a candle and a paper bag can be unsafe, but many fire-safe options are available today. Electric luminaries use bulbs and a shade like other types of functional and decorative lights and are completely safe when used according to manufacturers' directions. Any luminary that uses a candle should be used only under supervision and kept away from children.

Caution

Always be sure to use the correct bulb for any kind of lighting to prevent fires, and use the light correctly.

Types of Luminaries

A wide range of luminaries is available. Explore these decorative options to create the perfect holiday or winter environment.

1. Lighted Spire Ornaments

Three lighted spire luminaries in snow.

Pyramid-shaped luminaries made from corrugated plastic look ethereal set in snow. Poke holes in the plastic and insert LED string lights under the forms to create lighted outdoor Christmas trees.

2. Bucket Luminaries

Two bucket luminaries with pine boughs and wood.

Add rustic Christmas decorations to your landscape with bucket luminaries. Set birch or other logs into a shiny pail, add fresh greenery and drape with plug-in or battery-operated Christmas string lights.

3. Metal Mesh Luminaries

Four silver metal mesh luminaries on gravel.

Create silvery columns from aluminum sheet metal, which comes in different patterns. Use tin snips to cut the sheets, then form the tall columns by tying the ends together with 4-inch cable ties. Slip string lights inside.

4. Vinyl Luminaries

Cylindrical luminaries lining a driveway.

Create path lights to guide holiday guests to your door with these can-style luminaries. Drill holes into plastic flashing, form it into cylinders, set it on the ground and add LED lights or candles.

5. Jar Lanterns

A jar lantern hanging from a tree branch.

Wrap wire around canning jars to form handles. Drop in an LED candle and hang the lantern from a Christmas garland or an outdoor tree. These canning jar lanterns are easy and inexpensive to make.

6. Ice Luminaries

A luminary made with a candle and ice.

A flicker of light through ice is magical indeed. To make this ice luminary, insert a smaller container into a larger one, pour water into the in-between space, add greenery and let it freeze. Then remove the bowl-shaped frozen luminary and insert votives or waterproof LED candles. Another great idea: Add red berries or orange slices with the greenery before freezing.

7. Jelly Jar Lanterns

Four jar luminaries on a window sill.

Give landscapes a touch of rustic style with these simple glass-and-metal lanterns. Use clear caulk to attach storm collars (metal collars used to help waterproof chimneys) to jelly jar glass globes. Scatter the lanterns across a snowy yard or line them up neatly along a railing or walkway.

8. Screen-Wrapped Luminaries

A jar luminary wrapped with aluminum screening.

Wrap a glass jar in a square of aluminum screening and cinch it in place with wire. Add lights and set several of these screen stars outside where they can shine.

9. Lighted Columns Decoration

Three cylindrical luminaries in a silver pan surrounded by greenery.

Ceiling light panels rolled into tubes with LED candles placed inside give off a frosty glow. These oversized column luminaries are set in a water heater drip pan adorned with greenery and shatterproof ornaments for a big, festive display indoors or out.

Related Tags: