How to Secure Christmas Lights on Brick

Choose the right method for your brick wall and light strand

The best way to secure Christmas lights on brick depends on two things: the shape of the wall and how easily you want the lights to come down later.

For a simple, temporary display, hot glue is often the quickest choice. It works on brick, concrete, and other solid surfaces, and it doesn't need drilling or special clips. Many people use it for a full season, then peel the glue away afterward.

You have a few other options, though:

Brick clips are useful when you don't want adhesive touching the wall. They grip the shape of the brick, so they need a suitable brick size and exposed edge. DécoBrick-style hangers are another no-drill option made for attaching decorations to brick without tools.

Wire can help when clips don't sit well, especially around an arch. It also lets you adjust the strand without repeatedly sticking and removing glue.

Before you install anything, check the brick and the light cable. Dusty, crumbly, painted, or uneven brick may make any attachment less reliable. Test your chosen method in a small, hidden spot first.

How to attach Christmas lights to brick with hot glue

Hot glue is the method most often used when someone wants to know how to hang lights on a brick wall without drilling. It is simple, inexpensive, and doesn't leave you putting holes in the wall.

You’ll need:

• A hot-glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Your light strand
• A dry cloth or soft brush
• An extension cord, if needed

A low-temperature glue gun may be easier to handle, especially if children are nearby. Keep the glue gun and hot glue away from small children, and unplug it when you’re finished.

Step 1: Plan the route

Lay out the light strand before you glue anything. Decide where the plug will sit and how the cable will travel along the wall.

Keep the spacing fairly even. A small loop or dip between attachment points can look better than pulling the strand tight. It also gives the cable a little room to move.

Don't start at the middle of the wall unless that makes sense for your plug location. Starting near the power end usually makes it easier to keep the cable under control.

Step 2: Clean a few attachment spots

Brush loose dust from the brick where the glue will go. You don't need to scrub the whole wall. Focus on the spots where you plan to attach the strand.

Let the area dry fully. Glue may not hold well on damp or heavily dusty brick.

Step 3: Add a small amount of glue

Apply a small dab of hot glue to the back or side of the light wire, close to—but not over—the bulb or socket.

Avoid covering the bulb itself. You want the light to shine freely, and you don't want glue trapping heat around the bulb or fitting.

Step 4: Press the cable to the brick

Push the glued section gently against the brick for a few seconds. Hold it still while the glue sets.

Work along the planned route, adding glue at regular points rather than covering the entire cable. The goal is to hold the strand in place, not seal it to the wall.

Step 5: Check the finished line

Step back and look at the lights from a distance. Fix uneven sections while the installation is still easy to adjust.

Hot glue is described as a way to hold Christmas lights on brick for the season and peel away afterward. Still, brick and finishes vary. Test first, and don't assume the result will be damage-free on every wall.

How to use brick clips or DécoBrick hangers without drilling

Brick clips for Christmas lights are a good choice when you want to avoid glue completely. They grip onto the brick and provide a small hook or support for the light strand.

Measure the exposed brick before buying clips. The clip needs to fit the brick properly. If it is too loose, the lights may sag. If it is too tight, forcing it into place could mark the brick or damage the clip.

To use them:

1. Place a clip over the edge of a brick.
2. Check that it is sitting firmly.
3. Rest the light cable or socket on the hook.
4. Add more clips along the route until the strand is supported.
5. Look for loose sections and adjust the spacing.

Brick clips generally suit straight walls and clear brick edges. They may be awkward on rounded corners, deep mortar joints, or bricks with unusual shapes.

DécoBrick-style hangers offer a similar no-drill approach. They are designed to hold decorations on brick without tools, which can make them useful when you want a tidy installation and easy removal. Follow the fit and placement instructions that come with the hangers, and test one before hanging the entire strand.

Choose clips or hangers over hot glue when:

• You rent and want to avoid putting adhesive on the wall.
• You expect to move or reuse the lights often.
• The brick has a finish you don't want to test with glue.
• You want to make small adjustments during installation.

How to secure string lights with wire

A wire-based method can work well for fairy lights and other light strands that need to follow a less regular path. Plant wire is one option mentioned for securing string lights to brick.

This method is useful when you need to wrap lights around a corner, guide them around a feature, or support a strand without gluing every section directly to the wall.

Use the wire to hold the light cable in place. Keep the ties snug enough to stop the strand from slipping, but don't crush or pinch the cable. Leave the bulbs visible and avoid pulling the strand tight.

You might use wire at:

• Corners
• The sides of an arch
• Gaps between attachment points
• Areas where brick clips don't fit
• Sections where you want the light strand to remain adjustable

Be careful with loose wire ends. Twist them neatly and turn sharp ends away from walkways, hands, and children. Check the display after fitting it. If a section is sagging, add another support rather than pulling hard on the cable.

Wire works best as a flexible support method. It may take longer than hot glue, but it can be easier to remove and reposition.

How to install lights on a brick archway

Arches are harder than flat walls because the lights need to follow a curve. A rigid clip may sit well on one section and poorly on the next.

Start by deciding whether you want lights around the inside edge, outside edge, or both sides of the arch. Lay the strand out first so you know where the bends will fall.

For a brick arch:

1. Start near the power end.
2. Add a support at one side of the arch.
3. Follow the curve in short sections.
4. Use small hot-glue dabs, suitable brick clips, or plant wire.
5. Check the curve from several steps back.
6. Adjust dips and gaps before continuing.

Hot glue can be convenient for a smooth, simple curve. Wire may be better if the arch has uneven brickwork or if you want to remove and reuse the lights with less cleanup.

Don't pull the strand tight around the curve. A little flexibility helps the lights follow the arch without putting extra strain on the cable.

What to know about Command strips and adhesive tape

People often ask if Command strips will stick to brick. The available information here doesn't establish them as a reliable choice for this job.

That doesn't mean every adhesive strip will fail on every brick wall. Brick surfaces differ, and some are dusty, rough, painted, or sealed. It does mean you shouldn't treat Command strips as a proven solution for securing outdoor Christmas lights to brick.

Adhesive tape has the same problem. A strip may stick at first and then loosen as the surface, weather, or cable weight changes. Removing it could also affect a painted or finished surface.

If you want a temporary, no-drill method, the better-supported choices are:

• Hot glue, after testing a small area
• Brick clips
• DécoBrick-style hangers
• A careful wire-based setup

Keep any adhesive away from the bulbs and electrical connections. Test a small, hidden area before committing to a full Christmas lights on brick house display.

How to remove the lights after the holidays

Take the lights down slowly. Rushing the removal is more likely to pull at the cable or the wall surface.

For hot glue, gently lift or peel the glue from the brick. Start at one edge of the glue spot instead of pulling the light strand away with force. If a spot resists, work at it gradually rather than yanking.

For brick clips and DécoBrick hangers, lift the light strand out first. Then remove each clip or hanger according to how it was fitted. Don't twist a stuck clip hard against the brick.

For wire, untwist the wire carefully and keep sharp ends pointed away from your hands. Store the wire separately so it doesn't tangle with the lights.

After removal, look over the wall for leftover glue, loose pieces, or marks. If the surface looks damaged, stop before trying a stronger cleaner or tool. The safest removal method depends on the brick and its finish.

A quick checklist for a secure, clean-looking installation

Before you switch on the lights, check that:

• You tested the chosen method in a small area.
• The route starts close to the power source.
• The cable isn't pulled tight.
• Bulbs and sockets aren't covered with glue.
• Brick clips or hangers fit firmly.
• Wire ends are twisted safely out of the way.
• The strand has support at corners and along curved sections.
• There are no loose loops where someone could catch a hand or foot.
• You know how each attachment will come off after the holidays.

For most flat brick walls, hot glue is the quick temporary option. Clips and DécoBrick-style hangers suit people who want a glue-free setup, while wire gives you more control around arches and awkward shapes. Compare those no-drill choices, test the one that fits your wall, and use the method that matches both your light strand and your removal plans.