A guide to buying fairground lighting
Fairground lights bring the bold, eye-catching glow of traditional funfairs to signage, lettering, events, and displays. Whether you're creating a vintage-style marquee sign, illuminated lettering for a restaurant, or a show-stopping event backdrop, LED fairground lights deliver vibrant colours with modern energy efficiency.
Think of it like this: Fairground lights are the building blocks of illuminated signs and displays—each bulb is individually placed and can be individually controlled, giving you complete creative freedom to spell out words, create patterns, or design custom lighting effects.
📋 WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE:
🎪 What Can Fairground Lights Be Used For?
Fairground lighting is incredibly versatile—each individual bulb can be positioned and programmed separately, allowing for endless creative possibilities. Here are the most popular applications:
🔵 Interior & Exterior Lettering
Best for: Restaurant names, bar signage, welcome signs, home décor statements
- Create bold, illuminated words and phrases
- Perfect for commercial shopfronts or interior feature walls
- Choose static colours or programmable sequences
Real Example: A restaurant creates "WELCOME" lettering using 60mm E14 Cabochon bulbs spaced 80mm apart—visible from across the street and creates instant ambiance.
🔵 Commercial Signage
Best for: Shop fronts, arrows, directional signs, logos
- Flashing arrows to direct foot traffic
- Company logos with colour-changing effects
- Eye-catching window displays
Real Example: A fairground food stall uses RGB Pixel Cabochons to create an animated arrow pointing to their stand—the chasing light effect is programmed to run continuously.
🔵 Events & Entertainment
Best for: Stage backdrops, wedding décor, festival installations, photo opportunities
- Archways lined with flashing bulbs
- Stage sets for concerts and performances
- Photo booth backdrops with vintage appeal
Real Example: An event company creates a 2m x 3m photo backdrop spelling "LOVE" using E10 Cabochons—portable enough to transport between venues.
⚡ Why Choose LED Fairground Lights?
Modern LED fairground lights offer significant advantages over traditional incandescent bulbs:
| Benefit | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Energy Efficient | Uses up to 90% less power than incandescent—significantly lower running costs |
| Long Lifespan | Up to 10 years of use depending on usage—far fewer replacements |
| Cooler Operation | Low-wattage LEDs run cool, improving safety for indoor installations |
| Weather Resistant | Durable construction suitable for outdoor events and permanent signage |
| Programmable | Create chasing, flashing, colour-changing, and custom sequences |
💡 PRO TIP: Signs and lettering created with LED fairground lights are visible from a long way off, especially at night. They create an atmosphere that's both cosy and exciting—perfect for hospitality, retail, and entertainment venues.
💡 Cabochon vs Golfball: Which Bulb Type Do You Need?
The two main types of fairground bulbs serve different purposes. Here's how to choose:
Cabochon Bulbs
The most versatile fairground lights—available in multiple sizes, shapes, and control options
- ✅ Widest range of sizes (E10, E14, flat-top)
- ✅ Multiple control options (static, RGB, pixel)
- ✅ Available in dome or flat-top styles
- ✅ Best for professional signage and complex displays
- ❌ More complex wiring for pixel/RGB versions
Available types:
- E10 Cabochon Kits – Compact, ideal for detailed lettering
- E14 Cabochon (60mm) – Larger, more visible bulbs
- Flat E10 Cabochons – Low-profile design
RGB colour-changing options:
- RGB Auto Cabochons – Built-in effects, no controller needed. Just power on and go
- RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play – Position-based chase effects across multiple strings
- RGB Pixel Cabochons – Full individual control, every lamp can be different
Golfball (G45) Bulbs
Rounded, classic bulbs popular for marquee-style signs and interior décor
- ✅ Classic, vintage aesthetic
- ✅ Easy to install—standard screw fittings
- ✅ Safe and economical for long-term use
- ✅ Great for smaller businesses and home projects
- ❌ Fewer control/programming options
Perfect for:
- Hollywood-style mirror surrounds
- Retro diner signage
- Marquee lettering
- Simple, elegant displays
🎯 30-Second Bulb Selector
1️⃣ What's your project?
→ Signage, complex lettering, or animated displays? Choose Cabochon
→ Simple décor, mirrors, or retro style? Choose Golfball
2️⃣ Do you need colour changing or animation?
→ No, static colour is fine: Standard Cabochon or Golfball
→ Yes, automatic effects (no controller): RGB Auto Cabochons
→ Yes, synchronised chases across strings: RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play
→ Yes, full individual control of every lamp: RGB Pixel Cabochons
3️⃣ How detailed is your lettering?
→ Small, intricate letters: E10 Cabochons (smaller bulb, closer spacing)
→ Large, bold letters: E14 Cabochons or Golfballs
🔧 How to Choose the Right Fairground Lights
Before ordering, consider these key factors:
Project Size & Bulb Count
The number of bulbs you need depends on your design and desired bulb spacing. Closer spacing creates a brighter, more solid appearance; wider spacing creates a more traditional fairground look.
📐 Quick Spacing Guide:
- Dense lettering (bright, solid look): 40-60mm between bulbs
- Standard fairground style: 60-100mm between bulbs
- Large-scale signage: 100-150mm between bulbs
Not sure how many bulbs you need? Contact our team with your design dimensions and we'll calculate it for you.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
Check the IP rating of your chosen bulbs—outdoor installations need weather-resistant options. Most of our fairground lights are designed to be durable and weather-resistant, but it's always worth confirming for permanent outdoor installations.
Control Requirements
| Effect Needed | Bulb Type | Shop Link |
|---|---|---|
| Static single colour | Standard Cabochon or Golfball | View Options → |
|
Automatic colour effects (no controller needed—just power on) |
RGB Auto Cabochons | View Options → |
|
Position-based chases (all lamps in same position behave identically) |
RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play Cabochons | View Options → |
|
Full individual control (every lamp can be completely different) |
RGB Pixel Cabochons + Controller | View Options → |
🔌 What You Need to Wire Your Project
Once you've chosen your bulbs, you'll need the right accessories to complete your installation. Here's a checklist of everything required:
✅ Essential Components Checklist:
- LED Bulbs – Cabochon or Golfball (calculate quantity based on design)
- Cabochon Bases & Caps – Mounting hardware for your bulbs (included in kits)
- Wires & Connectors – View cables & connectors
- LED Driver (Power Supply) – Browse LED drivers
- Controller – Required for RGB/Pixel bulbs (included with some kits)
- Backing Material – Acrylic, metal, or wood (not supplied—you'll create or commission this)
💡 PRO TIP: Our Cabochon Kits include power supplies, connectors, and pre-cut cable lengths for a specific number of bulbs—taking the guesswork out of ordering individual components.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: The exact wiring steps vary between Golfball and Cabochon systems, and between static and pixel/RGB setups. Assembly instructions are included with our kits. If you're purchasing individual components or need guidance, contact our team—we've worked on countless projects and can advise on your specific setup.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Underestimating Power Requirements
With many bulbs in a project, the total wattage adds up. Always calculate your total load and choose an appropriately rated LED driver.
✅ Solution: Add up the wattage of all bulbs and select a driver rated at least 20% higher. Our team can help with calculations.
2. Choosing the Wrong Bulb Size for Your Design
Small lettering with large bulbs looks cluttered; large signs with tiny bulbs lack impact.
✅ Solution: Match bulb size to letter height. E10 for letters under 200mm tall; E14/Golfball for larger designs.
3. Forgetting About Voltage Drop on Long Runs
Connecting many bulbs in series over long distances can cause dimming at the end of the run.
✅ Solution: Plan power injection points for large displays, or consult our Voltage Drop Calculator.
4. Confusing DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play with Pixel Cabochons
Both create chase effects, but they work differently. DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play lamps follow their position in the chain (all "first" lamps match, all "second" lamps match). Pixel cabochons have unique addresses—every lamp can behave completely differently.
✅ Solution: For synchronised chases across multiple strings, DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play is simpler. For complex animations where every lamp does something different, you need Pixel cabochons. See our LED Types Explained guide for details.
Browse Our Complete Fairground Lighting Range
From individual bulbs to complete kits with everything you need—next day UK delivery available
🤔 Need Help With Your Project?
Our technical team has years of experience with fairground lighting projects—from small lettering to large-scale displays. We offer FREE consultation to help you choose the right products and calculate exactly what you need.
Email: sales@weloveleds.co.uk
📚 Related Guides
- LED Types Explained | Static, RGB, RGBW, SPI & DMX Guide
- LED Cable Voltage Drop Calculator
- IP Ratings Explained
Need help with your LED project?
Our experts can help with product selection and technical support.
Get Technical Support Browse Products