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How to Hang Christmas Lights Outside Without Nails

Updated November 1, 2026 · General information, not electrical or safety advice

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The short answer: Use clips made for your surface instead of nails or staples. Gutter clips, shingle clips and adhesive clips all hold lights without piercing the cord or the house. Clean the surface first, check the temperature on the adhesive's package, and test on a small spot. Hot glue is a last resort.

Safety first. Use only lights and cords rated for outdoor use, plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet, keep ladders and light strands at least 10 feet from overhead power lines, and have a helper. Hire a licensed electrician for any wiring or new outlet. See our safety guide. This reminder is ours; the sourced details are on that page.

Why skip nails and staples?

South Carolina's fire safety program says nails and staples can damage the cord. Public Storage, a self-storage company, says to avoid staples, nails and screws that pierce cords, and to skip Scotch and duct tape, which it says can trap moisture and fail.

Options by surface

Surface	No-nail option	Caution
Gutters	Plastic gutter clips (This Old House). See gutters.	Use closer clips on vinyl to prevent sagging.
Shingle edge	Shingle clips under the bottom row, about a foot apart (This Old House).	Check your roof maker's terms.
Smooth trim or siding	Clips attached with outdoor adhesive. Apply along the line and follow the product's cure time (Go-Forth Home Services).	Clean the surface first. Ware Landscaping says adhesives fail on dusty or dirty surfaces, and need surface temperatures above roughly 50°F to bond.
Brick, stone, stucco	Clips with adhesive avoid drilling (Go-Forth). Brick clips grip the top of a brick (Loctite).	Loctite: avoid sealed, crumbling or chipped bricks. See stucco.
Railings and handrails	All-purpose clips on metal handrails and balusters (Hunker).	Check that the clip fits the rail.
Any surface, short term	Hot glue each bulb socket to the overhang or wall (Go-Forth).	Go-Forth says glue is permanent and hard to remove. Family Handyman says hot-melt glue removes easily from stucco for light items. The sources disagree, so test a small spot.

Go-Forth, Loctite and Ware are companies that sell related products or services. Family Handyman and Hunker are home-advice sites.

Steps

Measure the perimeter and plan the pattern. Buy enough clips for the distance (Go-Forth).
Clean and dry the surface. Check the weather and the adhesive's temperature range.
Attach the clips and let any adhesive cure (Go-Forth).
Test the strings for dead or missing bulbs (Go-Forth).
Snap the cords into the clips and plug in with an outdoor-rated extension cord (Go-Forth).

Go-Forth says clips can be reused and make the lights easier to remove. When you take them down, see taking down and storing lights.

Need clips or a hanging pole?

Clips made for the job are gentler on your gutters and cords than nails or staples. Match the clip to your gutter, shingle or trim.

Browse light clips and hanging poles Count your clips

Common questions

What can I use instead of nails to hang outdoor lights?

Gutter clips, shingle clips, adhesive clips, brick clips and, for short-term use, hot glue. Each suits a different surface, as the table shows.

Does tape work on outdoor Christmas lights?

Public Storage says Scotch and duct tape can trap moisture and fail. Family Handyman says standard double-sided tape and duct tape do not stick well to stucco and may fail in sun or wet weather.

Are adhesive clips safe in cold weather?

Ware Landscaping says adhesives need surface temperatures above roughly 50°F to bond properly and suggests putting clips up in October or early November in the Chicago area. Follow the temperature range on your product's package.

Related guides

Sources