A decorative lighting string including blinking or twinkling lights spaced apart by at least three feet and preferably approximately six feet on a light string will create the effect of twinkling starlight or flickering firelight when used as part of a decorative scheme, such as Christmas decorations. This decorative lighting display is especially suited for outdoor use and can be effectively used in deciduous trees after they have lost their leaves. Twinkling lights that emit an illuminate of at least 40 lumens are especially suited for outdoor use. A random, irregular lighting pattern in which the lights do not appear to be connected by a light string provides the illusion of twinkling lights suspended in mid-air in a dark or darkening sky.