Outdoor Area Lighting: A Guide to Renting Lights for Events

Find the right area lighting setup to keep your event safe, secure and visible from setup to teardown.

January 26, 2026

How to Choose

Article Updated on: September 29, 2026

Proper lighting is critical to safety, security and visibility at festivals, fairs, concerts, sporting events and other large outdoor events. Choosing the right type of lights for each event area is key. This guide is designed to help you identify suitable event lighting rentals for your outdoor event lighting needs, as well as the power sources and types of bulbs that make the most sense.

What is area lighting?

Area lighting is portable lighting equipment used to illuminate large outdoor spaces at events, providing broad or focused coverage for safety, security and visibility. Outdoor events typically use area lighting like light towers, balloon lights and light stands. Each option supports a different zone, from parking lots and entrances to tents and stages, that help event teams maintain visibility and safety after dark.

What are the main types of area lighting for outdoor events?

The size, type and layout of the event will influence the portable light rentals you need to help ensure your event goes off without a hitch. When renting lights for events, you have three main options: portable light towers, balloon lights and light stands. Most events require more than one type of light.

Light Type	Best Used For	Coverage Area	Height	Power Options
Portable light towers	Parking lots, entrances and staging areas	Up to 53,000 square feet	10 to 32 feet tall	Diesel, electric, battery or solar
Balloon lights	Tents, walkways, registration tables and first aid stations	60 to 145 square feet	10 to 13 feet tall	Electric or attach to a light tower
Light stands	Security checkpoints, stages and backstage areas	Localized, focused coverage	4 to 12 feet tall	Electric or battery

Portable light towers for broad and bright illumination

Large, open spaces may need bright, far-reaching light for event security and safety. Portable light towers are often a good option for areas such as:

Parking lots
Event entrances
Staging areas

Light towers have a vertical mast that holds multiple powerful lights. Masts are typically extendable and range from 10 feet tall to 32 feet tall. Towable models are towed into place, pusharound towers can be moved by hand, and skid-mounted light towers can be moved around the event site with a forklift.

The largest portable light stands can light up an area as large as 53,000 square feet.

Balloon lights for diffuse, low-glare light

Most events have areas that call for diffuse light that’s easy on the eyes. These areas may include:

Event tents
Walkways
Registration tables
First aid stations

Balloon lights are often a good choice for these spaces because they emit light in all directions. Weather-resistant inflatable fabric globes over the bulbs reduce shadows and glare.

You can rent a balloon light that comes with a stand or with a cart. Mast heights are typically around 10 feet tall to 13 feet tall. Coverage areas range from around 60 square feet to 145 square feet. The most powerful balloon lights attach to a light tower.

Light stands for focused, bright light

Light stands provide bright, focused light for spotlighting or floodlighting. Quick to set up, they are often good choices for:

Security checkpoints
Stages
Backstage areas
Event setup and teardown areas

Some come with tripod bases that are easily adjusted for uneven surfaces. Heavier, taller light stands have weighted bases designed to keep them steady in windy conditions. Light stands with wheeled bases work well on smooth surfaces. Light stands range from 4 feet tall to 12 feet tall.

How do you choose a power source for event lighting?

In many cases, you’ll have a choice of power source for your outdoor event lighting equipment: diesel, electric, battery or solar. Ventilation, noise and energy efficiency all come into play when choosing a power source.

Diesel-powered lights

Some portable lights are powered by an onboard diesel generator. Diesel generators have their advantages: They can be used in off-grid areas, they can run overnight (and sometimes for multiple days) on a full tank, and they provide a lot of power. Large light towers run on diesel.

Because of the exhaust they emit, they must be placed in well-ventilated outdoor spaces. They can be noisy and smelly, so you’ll want to keep them away from areas where guests congregate.

Electric lights

Typically lighter in weight than diesel-powered lights, AC electric lights have a power cord and plug into a power outlet. They don’t produce exhaust and can be safely used in enclosed spaces. They are cost-effective to run and nearly silent.

If there’s no power outlet nearby, electric lights can be plugged into a generator and used in well-ventilated outdoor areas.

Battery-powered lights

Some portable lights, including smaller light towers, come in cordless, battery-powered models. If your site lacks electricity, battery-powered lights are perfect for lighting tents, walkways and other relatively small areas.

Solar lights

In locations with consistent sunlight, solar lights such as this solar light tower may be a viable option for low- or moderate-intensity lighting needs. Solar lights convert sunlight to electrical energy and store it in a battery. They are silent and sustainable. Best of all, sunlight is free. Solar lights are best used during months with plenty of daylight.

How do you choose the right bulb type for area lighting?

Rental lights for events often have different bulb options. The type of bulb affects brightness and energy consumption.

Bulb types include:

LED bulbs: LED bulbs are excellent choices in many cases. They are extremely energy efficient, have long lifespans and turn on instantly, with no warmup period. They do not get hot to the touch.
Metal halide bulbs: Metal halide lights provide high-intensity lighting over large areas. They are commonly used to light stadiums and streets. The downsides: They are not as energy efficient as LEDs and can take up to 15 minutes to warm up.
Quartz and halogen bulbs: The bulbs, used in some portable light stands, are very bright and turn on immediately. However, they are extremely hot to the touch and less energy efficient than other bulbs.

Professional help with outdoor event lighting

Choosing the best size, type and number of portable lights for an outdoor event can be complicated. A vendor with deep experience helping customers light different kinds of events can provide information to help you evaluate the options based on your event type, duration, size, layout and budget.

United Rentals offers a large inventory of portable lights as well as lighting expertise and 24/7 support. Event producers who choose United Rentals for area lighting rentals can streamline equipment procurement by also tapping United Rentals for temporary fencing, event generators, ground protection mats, two-way radios, portable restrooms, cooling fans, tent heaters and other event infrastructure needs.

Frequently asked questions

What is area lighting used for at outdoor events?

Area lighting illuminates outdoor event zones such as parking lots, entrances, tents and stages. It supports safety, security and visibility after dark for festivals, fairs, concerts and sporting events.

What is the difference between a light tower and a balloon light?

Light towers deliver broad, high-intensity area lighting for large open spaces like parking lots. Balloon lights emit softer, diffuse light with less glare, making them better suited to tents, walkways and registration areas.

How much area can a portable light tower cover?

The largest portable light towers can illuminate an area as large as 53,000 square feet, making them well suited to parking lots, staging areas and event entrances.

Are LED bulbs better than metal halide bulbs for event lighting?

LED bulbs are more energy efficient than metal halide bulbs and turn on instantly with no warmup period. Metal halide bulbs provide high-intensity light over large areas but can take up to 15 minutes to warm up.