Outdoor Stage Lighting Equipment: Pro List for Any Events

When organizing an event in an open space, one of the essential elements to consider is the lighting. A well-lit stage transforms the event into an immense visual treat. In this post, I will present the Outdoor Stage Lighting Equipment List that is used by professionals.  

This list is designed for event planners, DJs, wedding planners, and concert organizers who wish to dazzle their audiences. The right lighting can make an event, whether it is for a live band, a public speech, a festival, or a private gathering. Outdoor events will need certain products that I will recommend for their perfection.

1. PAR Lights

PAR lights (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) are one of the most widely used and trusted lighting types for the stage. They are easier to trust because of their robust construction and their ability to produce a steady, focused beam.

They can be used for almost any kind of event, from a wedding stage to a rock concert, and are often a backbone for professional lighting systems.

Why are they popular?

• Provides focused and bright illumination for essential areas.  
• Have a long and cheap life.
• Can also be customized with gels or filters for a certain mood or atmosphere.   
• Light in weight, which helps with transportation and installation.

Best uses:

• As a front light for any performers, so the audience can view their faces clearly. 
• As a wash light with color to the backgrounds, which need to match the event theme. 
• For the highlighting of stage props, banners, or decorative stage elements. 
  

Safety tip: For outdoor events, it is always best to use LED PAR lights instead of old halogen models. For events that are longer and held under the sky, LED is a better choice.

They produce lower temperatures, have longer lifespans, and save electricity. Also, LED PAR lights that are waterproof are best to prevent damage from unpredictable weather.

2. LED Moving Head Lights

Stage lighting is transformed with LED moving head lights. They can tilt, pan, and spin in a multitude of directions to give total flexibility during any performance. Using a DMX controller, motion can either be done in real-time or it can be preset.

Benefits:

• Can rotate 360° with rapid tilt movements.
• Internal features like color and gobo (pattern) changes, and zoom.
• LED lamps are long-lasting and exceptionally bright.
• Can be used for both high-energy and sweet, subtle impacts.
  

Best Uses:

1. Provide DJ lights for DJ performances and on the dance floor for partying.
2. For any concerts, focus on different portions of the band during the performance.
3. Festivals—illuminate the audience for dramatic purposes.

Extra Tip: Moving headlights should be placed both on the stage trusses and on the stage floor. This results in layered lighting, creating depth and making the stage more visually dynamic.  

3. Follow Spotlights

Every follow spotlight has to be operated by a separate person because someone must be positioned by the spotlight to track the performer. This type of lighting is crucial for theater, speeches, and shows where a singular performer takes the spotlight.  

Why do you need them?  

• Honed in focus on the performer while other elements in the frame are blurred, adding to the drama.
• The viewer’s focus is automatically guided into the action.  
• Eliminates background distractions, which makes the performer stand out more.  
• Looks more professional and staged.  
  

Best uses:  

• Movement stage and allows for audience interaction through Q&A. 
• Theater rehearsals with minimalistic sets and dynamic staging. 
• Ceremonies for awards and talents. 
  

Extra tip: These follow spots are adjustable in brightness and color temperature. For skin tones, the best adjustable filters are warm white, and the softer the balance, the more flattering the result.  

4. Floodlights  

Characterized as a high beam light, a floodlight is one that visually casts light on a greater surface area.  

Benefits:

• Eliminates shadows that add intrigue to sets and creates uniform illumination.
• Effective for illuminating safety perimeters around the venue for outdoor events. 
• Perfect for expansive outdoor stages and large audience sections. 
  

Best uses:

• Fulfilling the audience area lighting for safety as well as visibility purposes. 
• Lighting up large scenic backdrops or highly visible sidelights. 
• Security lighting for outdoor events. 

Extra Tip: For outdoor events, always use LED floodlights with an IP65 waterproof grade. Such lights are protected from rain and dust and have far greater durability.  

5. Laser Lights

Without a doubt, laser lights are the most eye-catching pieces of equipment for any outdoor stage. They do much more than light up a space; they do so with a touch of magic. Be it a concert, wedding, or night festival, laser lights will always add an eye-catching touch.

They can project beams, shapes, patterns, and even animations onto surfaces or into the open sky for an enthralling audience experience.

Professional Recommendation:

If you want to have a reliable and powerful laser light, we recommend this

SHEHDS Waterproof Laser 3W RGB Scanning Pattern Animation Laser Light

This is not an ordinary light. It is made to withstand demanding conditions and for stage professionals who require stunning lighting effects, even during rain.

What Makes This Laser Light Unique

1. Conforms to IP65 Standards: The device has a fully enclosed waterproof design, ensuring that the device will not be damaged when used in the rain or snow.
2. Animation Specifications: Full-color sequential Rotating animation introduces red, green, and blue lasers, creating rich and vivid animations.
3. FDA Laser Certification: This is a lighting device that is trusted and used by professionals.

Best Uses for This Light:

• Creating immersive, high-energy, hypnotic, and moving laser animations for large concerts.
• Evening dance floors at wedding receptions held outdoors.
• Club events and festivals are held outdoors.

Expert Tip:

To enhance the visual impact of the lasers, combine them with fog or haze machines. The fog highlights every ray in three-dimensional space, adding to the beauty of the device. This transforms every movement of the laser into an unforgettable experience.

Why Buy from SHEHDS?

SHEHDS has developed a laser lighting system that is now regarded throughout the world by event planners, Soldiers, and other companies.

Investing in their laser lighting system comes with guaranteed effectiveness, reliability, and innovation sought for. This lighting system is a must for those professionals with an intense zeal for impressive outdoor lighting.

6. LED Beam Lights

When considering outdoor stages, LED beam lights are vital for an outdoor performance. With the high-focused narrow beams of these lights, they showcase your performance while adding a professional touch.

One of the best LED beam lights you can get is the GalaxyJet LED Beam 300W/200W 3-in-1 Moving Head Light by SHEHDS.

Why We Recommend the GalaxyJet LED Beam Light

It is not a regular beam light; it is a 3-in-1 light, as it has the ability to spot, wash, and beam as a single moving head. They are therefore easier to incorporate into the stage and save on space. 

Here’s why this light stands out:

1. Three Effects in One Light

With no limitation, you can achieve beam, wash, and spot. With this, there is room for adjustable and dynamic stage performances through different lighting variations.

2. Extremely Bright and Powerful

Performing in outdoor concerts or festivals in large spaces is no longer an issue. The 300W and 200W versions both have the ability to guarantee powerful light output.

3. Rugged Performance in Any Environment

This product is designed with robustness in mind. Its rugged performance makes it ideal for outdoor stages, concerts, and touring events. 

4. Controllable And Fluid Movement

Its accurate and fluid motion control allows, with precision and creativity, the designing of complex lighting shows. 

Best Uses of the GalaxyJet LED Beam:

• Ideal for creating stunning light effects for concerts, festivals, and theatrical shows.
• Emphasizing key moments in sets for performers and DJs.
• Using in sync with music drops or cape scenes. Adding extra punch.

Pro Lighting Tip:

For maximum impact and a professional look, place multiple GalaxyJet beam lights at different angles for crisscross lighting. Your visuals will instantly become concert-grade.

 

7. Wash Lights

Wash lights offer a softer look with a wider spread of light compared to beams. While less focused than beams, they are great for creating atmospheric and background lighting. 

Benefits:

• Covers large areas evenly.
• Creates smooth, soft transitions between colors. 
• Subtle atmosphere without the harsh shadows.

Best uses:

1. Lighting backdrops.
2. Enhancing stage areas.
3. Dramatic atmospheric lighting.

Extra tip: Match the color scheme of your event instantly without changing filters using color-changing LED wash lights.

8. Strobe Lights 

Usually associated with dance parties, raves, and high-energy rock shows, strobe lights are known visually for their slow-motion burst of flashing lights.

Advantages:

• Energizes the atmosphere when fast-paced music is played.
• Onstage, they create a dramatic and pulsing effect.
  

Best uses:

1. At dance and EDM events.
2. During dramatic build-up moments of a live performance.
   

Extra tip: Use strobes cautiously, as too much can be uncomfortable for a viewer and could cause sensory overload.

 

9. Blinder Lights

During a performance, blinder lights are used to look directly at the audience and flash during significant moments, especially to the rhythm of the music.  

Why use them? 

• They enhance audience engagement. 
• They emphasize the performance’s remarkable aspects. 

Best uses:

1. At rock concerts and festivals.
2. Dramatic effects at the end of the song.

Extra tip: Provide a more significant experience of the performance’s rhythm by programming blinder lights to sync with hits on the drums and during bass drops.  

10. Controllers DMX

A DMX controller is like the control center for your entire lighting setup. Managing multiple lights requires a controller for synchronization; this piece of technology makes life far easier.  

Benefits:

• The entire system can be controlled for brightness, movement, and colors from a single device.
• Light shows are automated using special computer programs.
  

Best uses:

1. At any occasion with more than a couple of lights.
2. For intricate performances with precise timing.
   

Extra tip: Get a DMX controller with enough channels to manage your entire setup; this ensures your setup has room to expand later.  

11. Truss Systems

They are metal frameworks used to hold and strategically position lights over a stage.  

Advantages: They prevent damage to event lights and keep them in a safe location.  

Best uses:

1. For maintenance and support of moving headlights, PAR lights, or lasers.  
2. For holding stage or event banners and decorations. 
   

Extra tip: Ensure your truss is secured well for outdoor events, as strong winds can cause it to be unstable.  

12. Waterproof Cables and Connectors  

Without proper safe cables and connectors, even the best lights will fail. This need is heightened for outdoor lights, where waterproofing is a must.  

Best uses:

1. Outdoor lighting setups.
2. Exposed to changing weather conditions.

Extra tip: Use cable covers to prevent tripping hazards as well as keep the connections dry.

Closing Words

Lighting makes a huge difference in transforming any occasion into a remarkable one. This outdoor stage lighting equipment list offers great suggestions to make your stage shine. From timeless PAR lights to complex laser effects, everything contributes to setting the ideal mood. 

For optimal results, we suggest using the SHEHDS Waterproof Laser Light and the GalaxyJet LED Beam 3 in 1. Both are excellent for outdoor events and are truly dependable and professional.