DIY Hanging Mason Jar Solar Lanterns

Our backyard needed a little mood lighting, not the giant floodlight that makes every bonfire feel like an interrogation! 😉

I had made a Dreamlight with a mason jar and loved the way that had turned out, so I thought that there must be a way to combine an outdoorsy type of lighting with the ever popular mason jar.

So I turned a few basic solar stake lights into hanging mason jar solar lanterns for our deck stairs. They charge in the sun during the day and give off a soft glow at night, with no outlet or electrical wiring required. More importantly, they look much cuter than a row of plain plastic solar lights.

This is an easy outdoor lighting project made with half-pint mason jars, inexpensive solar lights, wire, and hooks. The jars give the lights that slightly old-fashioned, summer-at-the-lake look I love, while the solar inserts keep the project practical.

You can hang these lanterns along:

• Deck or porch railings
• Fence posts
• Covered patios
• Garden paths
• Outdoor dining areas

The most important part of this project is choosing a solar light that fits the opening of your jar. I’ll show you how I adapted mine, plus an easier alternative if you would rather use ready-made solar mason jar lids.

How to Make a Hanging Mason Jar Solar Lantern

Supplies

• Half-pint wide-mouth mason jar
• Solar stake light with a removable top
• 18-gauge aluminum craft or galvanized wire
• Outdoor-rated hanging hook
• Rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth

Tools

• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Step 1: Remove the Stake From the Solar Light

Pull the ground stake and lower plastic housing away from the top of the solar light.

For this project, you only need the top section containing:

• The solar panel
• The battery compartment
• The light

Set the stake portion aside for another project or recycle it if appropriate.

Step 2: Adjust the Solar Light to Fit the Mason Jar

Place the solar-light top over the opening of your mason jar to check the fit.

The solar lights I used were just slightly wider than the jar opening. To make them fit, I carefully snapped away small sections of the unnecessary outer plastic ring using needle-nose pliers.

Work slowly and remove only a little plastic at a time. It does not need to look perfect because the rough edge will be hidden inside the jar.

Do not remove or damage the solar panel, battery compartment, switch, or internal wiring.

Easier option: Use a ready-made solar mason jar lid insert instead. These are designed to fit standard mason jars and do not require modifying a solar stake light.

Step 3: Test the Solar Light

Before placing the light inside the jar, move the switch to the “on” position.

Cover the solar panel with your hand or take it into a dark room to make sure the light turns on.

It is much easier to test it now than after the lantern is assembled and hanging outside.

Step 4: Place the Solar Light Inside the Jar

Set the solar light into the top of the mason jar with the solar panel facing upward.

Attach the jar ring to help hold the light in place. Tighten it until the light feels secure, but do not overtighten it.

The solar panel needs to remain uncovered so it can receive sunlight during the day.

Step 5: Wrap Wire Around the Neck of the Jar

Cut a piece of 18-gauge wire long enough to wrap around the neck of the jar with several extra inches for twisting.

Wrap the wire around the narrow section of the jar just below the lid.

Use needle-nose pliers to twist the two ends together until the wire ring fits snugly around the jar.

Make sure the wire sits underneath the jar’s raised glass lip. This helps prevent the wire from sliding upward.

Trim any sharp excess wire and bend the twisted end inward so it does not stick out.

Step 6: Create the Hanging Handle

Cut another piece of wire approximately 10 to 12 inches long.

Attach one end to the wire ring on one side of the jar. Wrap it around the ring several times and tighten it with the pliers.

Curve the wire over the top of the jar to form a handle.

Attach the other end to the opposite side of the wire ring and twist it securely into place.

Before hanging the lantern, lift it by the handle and gently test the wire connections over a soft surface.

Step 7: Choose a Safe Place to Hang the Lantern

Hang the mason jar lantern from a sturdy exterior hook in a location where the solar panel can receive sunlight.

Good places to use the lanterns include:

• Deck railings
• Porch posts
• Fence posts
• Covered patios
• Pergolas
• Garden hooks

Avoid hanging glass jars where they could be hit by a door, bumped by people, or knocked down during strong wind.

Step 8: Install the Outdoor Hook

Clean the mounting surface according to the hook manufacturer’s directions.

If you are using an outdoor-rated removable hook, allow the surface to dry completely before attaching the adhesive strip and hook.

Press the hook firmly into place and follow the recommended waiting time before adding the lantern.

For a more permanent installation, use an exterior screw hook rated to support more than the weight of the filled mason jar.

Step 9: Charge the Solar Lantern

Place the lantern where the solar panel will receive several hours of sunlight.

The light should turn on automatically as the area becomes dark.

Keep in mind that cloudy weather, shade, and the amount of daily sunlight can affect how brightly the lantern glows and how long it stays on.

These mason jar solar lanterns create soft decorative lighting. They are perfect for adding a cozy glow, but they should not be used as the only safety lighting on stairs or dark walkways.

I’ve got 9 extra mason jars, I’m thinking about making a bunch more of these to light the front walkway of our house. They look so much cuter than just a plain solar light, dontcha think?

I created this Mason Jar Hanging Solar Lantern tutorial with compensation from Collective Bias, Inc and its advertiser. All opinions are my alone. #ProjectAmazing #CollectiveBias This post may contain affiliate links.