Light Trail Experience
33,000
LED lights
45,000
Weekly visitors
15
Holograms
12
Fairies
1
Disco elf
The project
For the third year running, LCI teamed up with IMG Events to transform Windsor Great Park Illuminated into a magical 2.2km winter light trail. This year’s edition pushed the boundaries with new IPs, immersive storytelling, and cutting-edge AV tech delivering fresh experiences that kept visitors coming back for more festive wonder.
The challenge
Riding the wave of success from 2023, IMG Events wanted to spotlight new original content and innovative installations to keep the event fresh. All this had to happen within a public park with strict noise and light curfews, a tight one-month build schedule, and the logistical headache of after-dark testing.
The solution
Windsor Stags
The adventure begins at the Obelisk Torch, where powerful LED floods and moving lights guide guests into the illuminated show. Nearby, the Windsor Stags, two eight metre steel sculptures with LED fairy lights and neon antlers, stand as striking landmarks welcoming visitors.
We delivered the full audio, video and lighting production, including technical design, concept creation, original media, audio scores, installation, show programming and on site support throughout the live run.
Under the Rainbow: A Celestial Canopy of Light
Suspended above the forest path, 90 glowing LED spheres create a dreamlike ceiling of colour, shifting in synchrony with a bespoke festive audio score. Guests step into a luminous world where the fusion of light, music, and atmosphere transports them into a fairytale dreamscape.
SIGN by Light Art Collective
This year’s trail welcomes large-scale sculptural lighting pieces from Light Art Collective, seamlessly integrated into the park’s natural surroundings. A floating modular platform, anchors one of the most striking installations – SIGN, a glowing artistic centrepiece reflected beautifully on the water’s surface.
A Winter Walk: A Narnia Inspired Escape
Stepping into a Victorian winter wonderland, guests are enveloped by glowing lampposts, flickering bulbs, and softly falling faux snow. Accompanied by spatial audio of Christmas poetry and carols, this tranquil space immerses visitors in the essence of the season.
Sleigh Bells
An 8m x 6m Holonet suspended in the canopy created a magical floating projection of Father Christmas, accompanied by jingling sleigh bells and a surprise narration. Christie 20K projectors and Vizbox enclosures provided seamless projection mapping, enhanced by a surround soundscape of six Adastra speakers and JBL subwoofers.
Elf Party
This interactive segment revitalised the beloved “Fairy Disco” with the introduction of “Daft Elf Punk.” A 2m x 2m Outdoor LED screen displayed bespoke DJ visuals while immersive bubble haze and smoke machines enhanced the festive atmosphere.
The Hart
A pair of 3.9mm Outdoor LED screens showcased dynamic holographic-style wildlife content, featuring a stag and owl that captivated visitors with lifelike motion.
Immersion
A dazzling array of 1,200 RGBW LED spheres formed a suspended light installation, creating an ethereal, immersive walkthrough. MiniMad controllers, fiber optic light engines, and spatial audio delivered an ambient, dreamlike experience.
Laser Symphony
A high-energy laser show synchronised to an original audioscape featured 2 Tarm 18W lasers and 10 Laser World FX700 units. Haze and smoke machines accentuated the vivid beams for a mesmerising light symphony.
Middle Woods
Stretching 70m across the forest floor, this sequence of strobe lighting and dynamic colour shifts illuminated the woodland, transforming the space into a visually stunning passage.
The Singing Tree
A 17m tree was adorned with neon LED light tubes programmed to synchronise with a festive audio score of “12 Days of Christmas,” delivering a captivating musical light display.
Cathedral of Light
A 43m-long tunnel adorned with 72 LED light chains provided the ultimate Instagram-worthy moment, highlighted by a central glowing red star.
Great Park Glow
7,000 LED orb balls illuminated both sides of the pathway, orchestrated into a 6-mode synchronised sequence set to Christmas music, encouraging guests to move through the experience.
The Windsor Water Ballet
A choreographed fusion of fountains, lighting, and music featured 24 fountains reaching 18m in height, set to a custom score blending The Nutcracker with rock ballads. Motion controlled sequences enhanced guest engagement.
Dreaming Tree
The final magical moment featured the return of Douglas the Dreaming Tree, an original character IP created by LCI. Projection mapping and motion-triggered audio provided an emotional farewell, tying together the trail’s immersive storyline
Our team also handled all technical design, concept creation, original media, audio scores, installation, show programming, and on site maintenance throughout the event.
The impact
The 2024 trail brought fresh life and festive magic to Windsor Great Park, drawing visitors of all ages into an immersive story experience. It reinforced Windsor Illuminated’s reputation as a must-see seasonal event while showcasing our ability to innovate under tight timelines and strict environmental conditions. For IMG and The Crown Estate, the event’s success cemented their five year partnership and delivered exceptional ROI through repeat attendance and press buzz.
What they said
“Working with LCI again was seamless. They truly elevated Windsor Illuminated with fresh ideas and flawless execution, helping us create a winter event that guests adore year after year.”
~ Kathryn Stafford, IMG Events
