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As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, the magic of winter events begins to shine…literally. From Christmas markets and outdoor concerts to festive parties, great lighting can transform any outdoor event into an unforgettable experience. But when you’re working with shorter days, colder weather, and outdoor elements, it takes smart planning to make sure your lighting is not only beautiful but also safe and reliable.
Here are some bright ideas to help you light up your outdoor events this winter.
1. Start with a Lighting Plan
Before hanging a single bulb, map out your space. Think about how guests will move around the venue and where the key visual and functional areas are – entrances, walkways, seating areas, bars, and stages. Identify the areas that need practical illumination for safety, and where you want to create atmosphere or highlight features.
At Beagle Create, we often start with a site recce to understand the layout, power access, and potential lighting challenges. It’s all about balancing ambience with functionality, ensuring guests can see where they’re going, but still feel immersed in the event environment.
2. Choose the Right Fixtures for the Job
Outdoor winter lighting needs to be robust, weatherproof, and reliable. Look for IP-rated fixtures designed for outdoor use to protect against rain, frost, and moisture. LED lighting is the go-to choice. It’s energy-efficient, low heat output, and available in a wide range of colours and styles. Festoon lights and uplighters add warmth and atmosphere, while floodlights or spotlights can accentuate key structures or areas.
3. Power and Cabling – Keep It Safe
Safety always comes first, especially outdoors. Power cables should be properly rated for external use, raised off the ground where possible, or covered using outdoor-grade matting or cable ramps to avoid trip hazards and water ingress.
Generator power can be a great solution if the site doesn’t have sufficient mains supply.
When using generators, make sure they are positioned in a well-ventilated area, away from guests, and noise-controlled if near public spaces.
Create a complete power plan for outdoor sites to ensure that lighting and AV can all run seamlessly without overloading circuits or compromising safety.
4. Design for Impact
Lighting isn’t just practical, it’s emotional. The right lighting design sets the tone for your event and can completely transform a space. Coloured washes can create warmth in an otherwise cold outdoor setting. Dynamic lighting sequences – fading, chasing, or synchronised with music – can elevate your event atmosphere.
For festive events, consider adding texture and depth with projection mapping or moving lights that play across trees, buildings, or festive backdrops.
5. Test, Test, and Test Again
Outdoor conditions can be unpredictable, so test your setup thoroughly. Allow enough time before your event to check every fixture, cable, and power connection. Run everything as it will be used on the day, in the dark and in the cold, to make sure your design delivers exactly what you want.
Outdoor winter events come with their challenges, but the rewards are huge. With the right planning, design, and technical expertise, lighting can completely transform a space and create unforgettable experiences for your guests.
