In this series, we explore projection mapping projects around the globe! From shows on Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House to Romania’s massive parliament building, we’re displaying some of the hottest monthly global projects.

Hulaween is a music and camping festival known for its immersive, spooky atmosphere. As the event tends to fall on or around Halloween, festivalgoers usually dress all out in costumes. And each night over the four-day festival, much of the art comes to life with the help of AV tech like lasers, projectors, sound systems, and more.

Returning to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground in Florida from Thursday, October 30 – Sunday, November 2, 2025, Hulaween 2025 will once again transform the park into a mesmerizing playground of creativity. Alongside a diverse range of music on the Hulaween 2025 lineup, attendees can also expect a weekend of new and returning art experiences.

At Spirit Lake, the immersive art and experience zone, artists often blend sculpture, projection mapping, interactive builds, performance, and stage design to create an unforgettable experience. This year, Spirit Lake’s lakefront projection show is also returning.

What sets this show apart is its water screen projection, which creates unique, hologram-like visuals hovering over the lake. According to one deepdive, “3D holograms on the lake seem to reach out and touch you while ambient noise flitters and dances between the trees.”

Let’s learn more about this year’s art direction, the lakefront projection show, and how it all works.

The Dance of Light and Shadow

The 2025 theme for Spirit Lake’s coveted art program is The Radiant Veil – The Dance of Light and Shadow. Guiding this vision is Spirit Lake’s Experience Director, Justin Bolognino, CEO of META.

Bolognino has designed dynamic artistic experiences in collaboration with artists such as Skrillex, Phish, and Questlove, alongside brand partners like Google, Spotify, Samsung, and Vimeo. Gearing up for his third Hulaween edition as Experience Director, Bolognino has plans to further expand Spirit Lake’s imaginative world.

“Going into our third year with Spirit Lake, we’re looking to push the experience even further into new, uncharted territory,” Bolognino said in a previous interview. “We’re most thrilled to tease this infinite dance of shadow and light into existence!” 

For more information, including a full lineup of the artists in the program, check out this page.

Lakefront Projection Show

The lakefront projection show will feature four distinct one-hour spectacles:

• Thursday: From Light
• Friday: Into Shadow
• Saturday: The Radiant Veil
• Sunday: The Dance of Light and Shadow

According to Grateful Web, a “top-secret installation” dubbed The Oracle of Spirit Lake will also make its debut this year, promising interactive, audience participatory elements integrated into the lake show every night.

Creating the Illusion: How to Make a Hologram Projection

At Hulaween, the projections over the lake create the illusion of images floating magically in midair, appearing in the sky like holograms. This illusion is achieved with the help of water screens.

To create this effect, powerful pumps first shoot out water through specialized nozzles, forming a thin, fan-shaped “curtain” made entirely of mist and tiny water droplets. The size and shape of the nozzles are crucial in producing a fine mist that provides a suitable canvas for projections.

As the water is forced through the nozzles, high-powered projectors then shine visuals onto this misty surface. The light reflects and refracts off the droplets, making the projected images become visible even though there’s no solid surface. These systems are usually operated at night or in low light to maximize contrast, as daylight or wind can distort or diminish visibility. Since the water is continuously moving and nearly invisible in the dark, the projections feel holographic and dreamlike.

Water screen projections are widely used in theme parks, concerts, waterfront shows, and large-scale events. For instance, you can catch a glimpse of them at Disney’s Fantasmic! or Universal Studios’ nighttime spectaculars too.

Watch Now

For a closer look, check out this remarkable video below from the 2024 Spirit Lake Show!

FAQ

Why is my projector blurry​?

If you’re not getting a clear image using your projector, it’s most likely due to incorrect focus, a dirty lens, improper projector-to-screen distance, or a resolution mismatch between the projector and the source device. To remedy it, start by manually adjusting the focus using the projector's lens or remote, and then cleaning the lens. Make sure you’re adjusting the focus wheel, not the zoom wheel, since they tend to be placed near each other! Finally, verify that the projector's and source's resolution settings match. In most cases, that should do the trick. But for any further troubleshooting, take another look through your manual or reach out to the manufacturer.

Can you DIY a water screen?

You can try to DIY a water screen for simple effects, but it can be difficult to recreate anything large scale as a big, good-quality screen normally uses specific equipment like high-pressure pumps and specialized nozzles.

Where is Suwannee, Florida?

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is in Suwannee County, but where exactly is that? On a map, Suwannee County is located in the north central portion of the state of Florida.

What are some things to do in Florida if you love tech?

If you love tech, Florida’s got you covered. In Orlando, the world-famous theme parks are showcases of cutting-edge technology—from Disney’s immersive ride systems to Universal’s use of augmented reality and more. Down in Miami, art and technology blend seamlessly at museums like the Pérez Art Museum, Artechouse, and Superblue, where digital installations and immersive displays highlight how tech is transforming creative expression. Northern Florida also has a quieter but growing tech and innovation scene that’s worth exploring. Together, these locations and many more make Florida a lovely destination, offering plenty to explore for anyone fascinated by technology, creativity, and innovation.

Watch the Largest Administrative Building in Europe Come to Life Here!

Photo Credit: Hulaween