A lighting system includes a rod rotatably mounted between a first support and a second support, and a light cord attached to the rod, the light cord including a plurality of light strings having a first end attached to the light cord and a second end free from the light cord. Each light string includes a plurality of lights. Each of the plurality of light strings have a use position in which the second end dangles from the rod and a stowed position in which each of the plurality of light strings are substantially wrapped around the rod. The lighting system further includes an activating mechanism for rotating the rod to transfer the plurality of light strings between the use position and the stowed position.