floating lights

Floating lights are small illuminated objects that drift on water or appear to hover in air, used for decoration or ambiance.

Paper lanterns released into the sky, candles on water, or string lights suspended overhead all qualify: The pond was covered with floating lights for the wedding.

The term also describes luminous phenomena that seem to move through darkness—will-o'-the-wisps, orbs in photographs, or unexplained lights in the night sky.