For the third year running, LCI Productions has been the creative force behind the spectacular Windsor Great Park Illuminated event, working in partnership with IMG Events.
IMG Events and LCI Productions have embarked on a five-year partnership to transform Windsor Great Park into a magical winter wonderland. Each year, LCI Productions reimagines the 2.2km trail, infusing it with stunning new installations that complement the park’s natural beauty.
As the final year of the current agreement approaches, LCI Productions remains committed to delivering unforgettable experiences. By carefully analysing visitor feedback and leveraging cutting-edge technology, they continue to elevate the trail and create a truly magical atmosphere.
Photo by: IMG Events/ Joshua Atkins
Event Producer:
IMG Events
Trusted AV Supplier:
LCI Productions
Photo by: IMG Events/ Joshua Atkins
Overview:
To elevate IMG’s seasonal light trail, LCI Productions designed an immersive experience that blends festive elements with cutting-edge technology. By analysing visitor data and feedback, we identified opportunities to enhance the guest journey and create a truly magical atmosphere.
Our design incorporates a captivating blend of dazzling light installations and a meticulously curated soundtrack of classic Christmas tunes and original compositions. The carefully selected audio enhances the overall experience, creating a harmonious blend of sight and sound that transports guests to a winter wonderland.
LCI Productions has partnered with IMG to transform Windsor Great Park into a captivating winter wonderland. This immersive light trail experience combines storytelling, technology, and artistry to create a truly unforgettable experience.
Each year, the trail evolves, with new installations and cutting-edge technologies like holonet and LED neon tree structures. The carefully curated audio scores and dynamic visual effects enhance the overall experience, creating a multisensory journey that delights visitors of all ages.
The success of Windsor Great Park Illuminated is evident in its growing popularity and positive guest feedback. As visitors traverse the illuminated trail, they become part of a magical world, creating lasting memories and sharing in the joy of the season.
Photo by: IMG Events/ Joshua Atkins
A host of new tech additions and lighting installations were employed to illuminate the historic park, creating wonder and crafting Instagram-worthy scenes at every touchpoint. The trail is split into 16 zones:
Obelisk Torch
A yearly feature of the light trail and a shining beacon of light to illuminate guests toward an adventure unknown. The Obelisk Torch is made from 12 x 400 Watt LED Floods, 2 x 600 Watt Moving Lights and 2 x Showtec TR512 Pockets.
The Windsor Stags
A brand new addition to the light trail that begins the magical adventure through the historic park. Two bespoke 8 metre steel frame stag sculptures are covered and adorned with cold white LED fairy lights and LED neon antlers that greet visitors. The large 16 metre wide x 2.5 metre height Windsor sign is illuminated with warm white LED and neon LED lights.
Under the Rainbow
This new addition to the light trail boasts 90 x 30cm RGBW LED Spheres suspended on a steel catenary from the trees, creating a ceiling of colour along the forest path. This bright dreamlike section is controlled by 2 x Minimad systems configured to a 16-way Artnet to DMX Controller. Bespoke festive audioscores are powered through 8 x Adastra Speakers and Crown Amplifier, with x2 additional JBL Control 80m Subs for added sound boost.
SIGN by Light Art Collective
This year’s edition features large sculptural lighting pieces from Light Art Collective which required additional rigging and support, along with a floating custom-made LCI modular float platform for “SIGN” anchored into position.
A Winter Walk
An idyllic, Narnia-esque winter scene complete with flickering Victorian Lampposts and faux snowfall in the form of foam. To craft this winter wonderland scene we sourced 12 x Victorian Lampposts with flickering bulbs and installed these along the section. A gentle snowfall effect was created using 4 x state-of-the-art snow machines and the whole scene is complete with a bespoke audioscore powered through 1 x Mini Mad audio source that evokes festive cheer and builds anticipation of the adventure in front. Christmas poetry is played through 16 x Adastra Speakers delivering spatial audio to immerse guests into the disco tunes through a Crown Amplifier for the ultimate immersive experience.
Sleigh Bells
A sequence of jingling sleigh bells and surprise audio from a mysterious narrator above the canopy. The story unfolds to reveal a mesmerizing Christmas scene full of festive joy as Father Christmas appears as if by magic above your head in the tree canopy. We adopted 1 x 8 metre x 6 metre Holonet and securely fastened this to the tree canopy. Bespoke cheery Christmas content produced in-house is projected onto the Holonet surface through a Christie 20K Projector and configured through 1 x Vizbox Enclosure. Christmas audio completes the experience and is played through 6 x Adastra speakers and amplified through x1 Crown Amp and x2 JBL Control 80m Subwoofers.
Elf Party
A bright and interactive section of the trail, crafted with guests in mind. The Fairy Disco was a real fan-favourite from previous years so we wanted to elevate it with a new twist and add in a sprinkle of new character development. A complex system of AV was required to bring this stellar immersive party to life, including 1 x 2 metre x 2 metre 3.9mm pitch Outdoor LED screen powered by a Novastar Controller.
Custom IP creation and character development for “Daft Elf Punk” including an Outdoor LED Display showing Daft Elf Punk mixing on the selector along with immersive Bubble Haze machines and state-of-the-art smoke machines to create a modern disco vibe.
The Hart
This duo of Outdoor 3.9mm LED Screens display bespoke holographic style content of a stag and owl that greet passing guests at The Hart zone. This dynamic content captures the magic of encountering wildlife out in the woods and also offers a moment for visitors to pause and delight in the magical appearances.
Immersion
Immersion is a mesmerizing light installation consisting of 1200 x 5cm diameter RGBW LED Spheres in an array suspended from steel catenary fixed to the trees and supported by a scaffold frame. Immersion, aptly named, was designed to captivate guests as they walk through a curtain of gently flashing ambient LED spheres. The ethereal quality of the installation is powered by 2 x MiniMad controllers, linked up to 10 x Fibre Optic Light Engines and woven into 10 x Fibre Optic Mesh curtains. A curated audioscape is played through 6 x sets of Adastra Speakers, 2 x JBL Control 80m Subwoofers and 1x Crown Amplifier.
Laser Symphony
A dramatic and eye-catching laser symphony greets visitors with upbeat tempo and curated audioscapes synchronized to a sequence of lasers. The Laser Symphony is brought to life through a mixture of 2 x Tarm 18 Watt Lasers, 10 x Laser World FX700 and systems of 4 x 2kW Haze Machines and 4 x 1.5kW Smoke Machines. The immersive laser show has been enhanced through new state-of-the-art laser systems and show programming.
Middle Woods
A sequence of dramatic lighting effects and strobe styles illuminating the path through the middle of the woods. The captivating light sculpture runs through a sequence of different light modes and stretches for 70m across the forest floor.
The Singing Tree
A fantastic illuminated spectacle that greets guests at a natural opening of the park. The 17m singing tree is brought to life through an intricate system of neon LED light tubes synchronized to an original audioscore singing festive classic “12 Days of Christmas”. The singing tree sequence runs on a loop for 3 minutes to keep guests enthralled with dramatic illuminations programmed at each stage of the song adding another dimension to the production.
Cathedral of Light
LED Cathedral style tunnel featuring a 43m long structure wrapped with 72 LED light chains, each consisting of 300 fixtures. An added traditional red star was installed at the centre of the Cathedral’s point to create the perfect Instagram-worthy moment with friends and family.
Great Park Glow
A reimagined fan favourite with a new twist for 2024! Taking inspiration from previous years, we opted to use 7000 LED orb balls set out across both sides of the path and park opening. The Great Park Glow features original audioscores that are synchronized with x 6 moving light settings delivering a sensational light show. The lights dramatically illuminate the path and tree canopy adding a magical element to the opening. The sequences run for 3 minutes choreographed to upbeat Christmas music encouraging guests to wander on to the next zone.
The Windsor Water Ballet
A captivating choreography of sound, water, movement and light that mesmerizes guests and delivers enhanced wow-factor. The show consists of 24 x fountains that measure 18 height with a mixture of 16 x straight jets fixed to a system and x 8 moving jets. The dancing fountains are programmed to last for a duration of 3 minute sequences and blend festive Christmas ballet classics from The Nutcracker with dramatic rock Christmas ballad tracks mixed in. The original media score was carefully created in-house by LCI’s team with the aim to appeal to different audiences across the board.
Dreaming Tree
The “Dreaming Tree” signals the final magic stop on the travellers journey at Windsor Great Park Illuminated. It features the return of a fan favourite character from previous trails before. The original character development and IP of Douglas the “Dreaming Tree” is created in-house by LCI’s team. Original audio and projection mapped visuals triggered by motion sensors complete the scene as Douglas thanks guests for stopping by and wishes them a safe onward journey.
Photo by: IMG Events/ Joshua Atkins
Park World Magazine had the exceptional opportunity to attend the Windsor Illuminated light trail. They also had the pleasure of meeting Rob Paul, Design Director for LCI Productions. The experience was described as remarkable, with easy accessibility, a welcoming atmosphere, and stunning light displays.
