At Feria del Mole, we understand the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for your outdoor gatherings. Whether you're hosting a family barbecue or an intimate dinner party, the right lighting can transform your backyard into a magical space.
Our festival showcases innovative ideas for backyard lighting that enhance your outdoor experience. From string lights that add a warm glow to lanterns that create a cozy ambiance, there are endless options to suit your style.
Explore our vendor booths to discover unique lighting solutions that complement your outdoor decor. Our vendors are dedicated to providing quality products that not only illuminate but also enhance the beauty of your backyard.
Don't forget to grab our tasting map to explore the diverse flavors of mole while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. Join us at Feria del Mole and find inspiration for your next outdoor gathering!
Lighting a Backyard Mole Dinner the Mexican Way
Mole is a dish that rewards lingering. A pot of mole poblano or mole negro is often the centrepiece of long celebrations in Mexico, from birthdays and weddings to family gatherings, and those meals tend to stretch well past sunset. That makes lighting more than decoration: it shapes how long guests stay at the table and how good the food looks on the plate.
Light the food, not just the yard
Dark sauces like mole negro can look flat under dim or bluish light. Warm-toned bulbs, around the colour of candlelight, bring out the glossy reddish-brown of a well-made mole and the bright contrast of sesame seeds, rice and pickled onions. Hang string lights a little above head height over the serving table so the dishes are lit evenly, and avoid harsh spotlights that throw deep shadows across the food.
Borrow from Mexican celebration traditions
Many Mexican fiestas pair lights with colour. Papel picado, the cut-paper banners strung across streets and patios, looks especially lovely with lights threaded behind or between the strands. Clay or punched-tin lanterns cast patterned light on walls, and simple jar candles grouped on a side table add warmth without crowding the serving area. For safety, keep open flames well away from paper decorations and use battery candles where banners hang low.
Practical tips for an evening gathering
- Zone your space: brighter light by the cooking and serving areas, softer light where people sit and talk.
- Mark paths and steps with low solar or plug-in lights so guests carrying plates can move safely.
- Plan power early: use outdoor-rated extension cords and connections, and keep them clear of walkways and anything wet.
- Test before guests arrive while there is still some daylight, so you can adjust angles and replace dead bulbs.
If you want to bring festival flavours home for your own backyard evening, browse our mole recipes for dishes that hold well on a buffet, and look through the vendor listings for ideas on sauces, ingredients and table pieces that suit a long, candlelit meal.