Choosing the best wash lights for festivals is not the same as picking lights for concerts or corporate events.
Festivals are outdoors, so the lights need to handle sun, rain, dust, and long hours of use. The stage size is usually bigger, which means you need more power and wider coverage. Good wash lights must be strong, reliable, and easy to set up.
In this guide, we recommend the best wash lights for festivals and explain how to pick the right ones for any stage.
What Are the Best Wash Lights for Festivals? (Top Picks)
Festival stages need lighting that can spread color across wide spaces and handle outdoor use. The best wash lights for festivals are built for large crowds, open-air stages, and long hours of use. Each option below fits a different festival need.
ADJ Stryker Wash
The ADJ Stryker Wash is a professional moving head wash light made for big festival stages. It uses strong RGBW LEDs that can mix bright colors and soft white light.
The zoom range lets the light spread wide or stay focused on one area. It is certified for safety and built for long shows without trouble.
It can cover large performance areas and shift colors during drops or transitions. Many festival crews use it to keep energy high without changing fixtures.
ShockCore Waterproof LED 44x10W RGBW Flood Light (Best Waterproof LED Flood Wash for Outdoor Festivals)
The ShockCore Waterproof LED 44x10W RGBW Flood Light is made for outdoor festivals and large stages. It uses 44 strong RGBW LEDs that can light up wide areas with bright color or clear white light.
The frost lens helps spread the light evenly, so stages, backdrops, and large setups look full and balanced. This floodlight is built for outdoor use. Its IP65 rating means it can handle rain, dust, and moisture without trouble.
Chauvet DJ Freedom Par Hex-4
The Chauvet DJ Freedom Par Hex-4 uses six-color LEDs to create richer colors than basic RGB lights. It is compact and easy to place around stages or walkways. This fixture is useful for fast setups and smaller festival zones where flexible lighting is needed.
CHAUVET Professional Ovation B-1965FC
The Ovation B-1965FC is designed for clear stage lighting. It gives natural-looking light that works well for singers, bands, and speakers. Many festivals use it on stages that are filmed or live-streamed because faces look clear and balanced.
SHEHDS IP65 Waterproof LED Bar (Best LED Wall Wash for Stage Backdrops & Structures)
The SHEHDS IP65 Waterproof LED Bar 18x12W RGBW Wall Wash Light is designed to light up stage backdrops, walls, and large structures. It uses 18 powerful RGBW LEDs that can create strong colors and clean white light. The wide 40-degree beam helps cover long surfaces evenly, which is useful for festival stages and outdoor setups.
This LED bar supports many control modes like DMX512, auto run, master and slave, and built-in programs. These options make it easy to use for both simple setups and professional lighting control. This wall wash light is a good choice for stage backgrounds, truss lighting, and outdoor event spaces where wide and even light coverage is needed.
What Are the Common Types of Wash Lights Used at Festivals?
Festivals use different wash lights to cover large stages, open areas, and background structures. Each type plays a different role and helps the stage look bright and alive, especially outdoors.
LED Wall Wash Lights (for Scenic Coverage)
LED wall wash lights are used to color stage backdrops, truss frames, and side walls. They help the stage look full and balanced from a distance.
These lights cover walls and stage backdrops with bright and even colors:
- Wide bar-shaped fixtures: These lights stretch across long backdrops and metal frames, helping the stage feel wider and more connected.
- RGB and RGBW color systems: Color mixing allows soft tones or strong colors that match the mood of each performance.
- Even light spread: Light stays balanced across surfaces, so walls and structures do not look patchy or dark.
LED Flood Wash Lights (High Power, For Outdoor)
LED flood wash lights are made for open spaces where light needs to travel far and stay visible.
Variation in LED flood wash lights for festivals includes:
- High-output LED arrays: Strong light reaches large outdoor stages and open crowd areas.
- Weather-ready housing: The body handles rain, dust, and long outdoor use.
- Wide coverage angles: Fewer fixtures are needed to light big areas.
Moving Head Wash Lights (Dynamic Effects)
Moving head wash lights add motion and excitement to festival stages, especially at night.
These lights move to create motion and excitement on stage:
- Motorized movement: The light sweeps across the stage and sky during live sets.
- Zoom range control: Beam size changes to match slow or fast music moments.
- DMX-based control: Lighting teams adjust looks live during performances.
What Makes a Wash Light Suitable for Festivals?
Choosing the best wash lights for stage lighting is not just about brightness. You need lights that can handle big stages, outdoor weather, and look great with the music.
Here are the important things that make a wash light perfect for festival use:
Brightness & Coverage
Wash lights need to be bright enough to cover the stage and audience. They should reach far without leaving dark spots.
The bigger the festival, the more power you need, so every part of the stage is lit evenly. Good coverage helps everyone see the performance clearly and enjoy the colors and effects.
Weather Resistance
Outdoor festivals can have sun, rain, or dust. Wash lights made for festivals should resist water and dust, usually with an IP65 rating.
This keeps them working safely even if it rains or if fog machines make the air heavy. Strong, weather-proof lights mean less risk of damage and fewer problems during the show.
Color Mixing & Visual Impact
Festival lights need to create a mood and excitement. Lights that mix colors well, like RGBWAUV LEDs, can make the stage look amazing.
They let you make soft shades for calm songs or bright, bold colors for high-energy moments. Good color mixing makes the performance feel alive.
Control & Integration
Festival lights must work with DMX systems or other controllers so they can change quickly with the music. This allows the lighting to match every beat, scene, or special effect. Lights that integrate well are easier for DJs and stage teams to manage.
Durability & Transport
Festival lights are often moved from one place to another. They should be strong enough to survive packing, transport, and heavy use. Lightweight but tough materials make setup faster and reduce the chance of breaking.
|
Feature |
Why It Matters |
How It Works |
|
Brightness & Coverage |
Lights need to reach the whole stage and audience |
Big stages need strong beams so that no part of the stage is dark and everyone can see the performance. |
|
Weather Resistance |
Lights must survive rain, dust, and wind |
IP65 or waterproof lights keep working even if it rains or gets dusty. |
|
Color Mixing & Visual Impact |
Makes the show exciting |
RGBWAUV or RGBW lights mix colors to match the music and mood. Calm colors for slow songs, bright colors for big drops. |
|
Control & Integration |
Easy to change lights with music |
DMX or smart systems let you change colors, patterns, and brightness fast, keeping the show lively. |
|
Durability & Transport |
Lasts longer and is easy to move |
Strong but light lights don’t break easily when packed or set up for different shows. |
How to Choose the Best Wash Lights for Your Festival?
Choosing the right wash lights can make your festival look amazing. Every festival is different, so you need to think about the size, stage type, and where the stage is. The lights should match your show and help create the right mood.
Festival Size & Stage Type
Different festival sizes need different lights. Small local festivals do not need too many lights. Wider beams cover the stage well without extra fixtures.
Medium outdoor stages work best with a mix of wall washes and flood lights to cover performers and scenery.
Large main stages need a combination of flood washes and moving head lights to give energy and dynamic effects.
- Small Local Festivals: Fewer lights with wide beam angles keep things simple but bright enough for the audience.
- Medium Outdoor Stages: Wall washes plus flood lights make sure both the stage and performers are fully visible.
- Large Main Stages: Flood washes for brightness and moving heads for movement and effects create excitement.
Indoor vs Outdoor Environment
Outdoor stages need more than just waterproof lights. IP65 rating protects from rain but also dust, fog, and overnight moisture. Indoor stages need lighter and flexible lights that can handle quick setup and breakdown.
- Outdoor Stages: Waterproof lights survive rain, dust, and fog machines without breaking.
- Indoor Stages: Lights should be easy to move and fit in smaller spaces.
Visual Goals
The way the lights look changes how the audience feels. Some festivals need clear visibility, others need colorful, high-energy effects. EDM and night festivals often use UV and bright RGBWAUV colors.
- Solid Color Washes: Helps the audience see performers clearly.
- Saturated RGBWAUV: Gives energy and mood to the music.
- UV Effects: Works for night or EDM festivals to make colors pop.
- Backdrop vs Audience-Facing: Decide which lights should focus on performers and which on the crowd.
Choosing the right wash lights makes a festival memorable. Think about size, stage type, environment, and the look you want. With the right setup, your show will shine from start to finish.
|
Factor |
What to Consider |
Examples |
|
Festival Size & Stage |
Match lights to stage size |
Small: fewer wide beams; Medium: wall washes + floods; Large: floods + moving heads |
|
Indoor vs Outdoor |
Fit environment needs |
Outdoor: waterproof for rain/dust/fog; Indoor: easy to move |
|
Visual Goals |
Create mood and effects |
Solid colors for visibility; RGBWAUV for atmosphere; UV for EDM; backdrop vs audience wash |
Conclusion
Choosing the best wash lights for festivals helps make every show bright, colorful, and exciting. By picking lights that match your stage size, environment, and visual goals, you can create an amazing experience for everyone.
For more options and to take your festival setup to the next level, check out our LED moving head wash lights and find the perfect fit for your stage.
FAQs
What lights do festivals use?
Festivals use a mix of wash lights, flood lights, moving heads, and LED wall washes. These lights help create colors, patterns, and effects that match the music.
How many wash lights do I need for a festival stage?
The number depends on the stage size. Small stages need a few lights, medium stages need more, and big main stages may need many lights to cover everything.
What’s the difference between flood lights and wash lights?
Flood lights are very bright and cover large areas. Wash lights spread color evenly and give a soft look to the stage or backdrop.
Is RGBWAUV better than RGBW for festivals?
RGBWAUV lights can show more colors, including UV and amber, which makes the stage look more exciting. RGBW is simpler but still works well for normal effects.
Can static wash lights replace moving heads at festivals?
Static wash lights can add color, but they don’t move. Moving heads can change direction and create patterns, so they are better for dynamic shows.
When to use moving head wash lights?
Use moving head wash lights during big moments, music drops, or when you want the stage to look alive. They add movement and energy that static lights can’t.
