What Is a Luminary?
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 or something more high-tech such as a color-changing LED display. Today, many people use battery-powered electric lights for safety and ease. A luminary light produces a warm, cheerful glow. Luminaries are also known by several other names, including farolito ("little lantern") and luminaria ("festival light").
Always be sure to use the correct bulb for any kind of lighting and use the light correctly to reduce the risk of fires.
Types of Luminaries
A wide range of luminaries is available. Explore these decorative options to create the perfect holiday or winter environment.
Tea Light Luminaries
One of the most traditional types of luminaries involves filling the bottom of a paper bag with sand for stability and placing a small tea light inside. Today, LED tea lights are most often used for safety. This simple, low-cost style of luminary is perfect for lighting walkways during the winter months. For a cleaner, re-useable option that doesn’t require sand, you can purchase plastic luminaria candle bases that use water to add weight to the bags.
Color-Changing LED Luminaries
A fun twist on the classic paper-bag-style luminary is the color-changing LED variety. Instead of using a separate tea-light, this battery-operated, freestanding luminaria base keeps the bag from toppling over while illuminating in multiple hues.
Screen-Wrapped Luminaries
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.
Silhouette Candle Holders
Create a warm and inviting holiday ambiance with glass silhouette candle holders. Whether you place them on a mantel or tabletop, or include as part of a festive centerpiece, these will enhance your seasonal decor with a soft, heartwarming glow.
Vinyl Luminaries
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.
Bucket Luminaries
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.
Jar Lanterns
Simply fill an ordinary canning jar with an LED candle or fairy lights and you’ll love the results. You can also wrap wire around the lid to form a handle so you can hang it from an outdoor tree or scatter the lanterns across a snowy yard or line them up neatly along a railing or walkway.
Ice Luminaries
A flicker of light through ice is magical indeed. To make this ice luminary, insert a smaller plastic 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.
Recap: Holiday Luminaries at a Glance
What They Are: Decorative holiday lights — from simple bags with candles to safe, modern LED versions and more.
Popular Types:
- Tea Light Bags: Classic, simple walkway lighting
- Color-Changing LEDs: Fun, vibrant, multi-color glow
- Screen-Wrapped Jars: Industrial-style sparkle
- Silhouette Holders: Cozy tabletop or mantel accents
- Vinyl Cylinders: DIY drilled patterns with string lights
- Bucket Luminaries: Rustic look with greenery and logs
- Jar Lanterns: Mason jars with LED candles or fairy lights
- Ice Luminaries: Frozen plastic containers with greenery/berries inside
Safety Tip: Choose LED and battery powered lights for worry-free lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions Lowe’s customers have on luminaries.
What Do Luminaries Symbolize?
Luminaries have traditionally symbolized vigil bonfires as part of celebrations in New Mexico and elsewhere in the Southwestern United States. 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.