Step into the eerie world of Halloween magic and unleash your inner engineer! Join us to discover the secrets of creating mesmerizing animated Halloween props using various types of motors. This seminar will equip you with the knowledge and skills to bring your haunted visions to life.

Dive into the different types of motors to understand their unique characteristics and find out which motor suits your spooky creations best. Learn techniques to achieve different motions

Whether you dream of a ghastly graveyard scene, a haunted house of horrors, or a whimsical Halloween display, this seminar will provide the tools and inspiration you need. Don't miss out on this chance to turn your Halloween fantasies into reality with the power of motors!

Students will explore the foundational elements of building compelling and memorable characters. Beginners and Experts will learn about character archetypes, motivations, and backstory development. We will discuss the relationship between characters and their environment, as well as techniques for creating authentic dialogue and distinctive voices. By the end of the class, students will have the tools to develop their own unique characters that resonate with guests.

Separate yourself from the competition with an outstanding design that makes your haunt unique and memorable. Most haunts are the same; what makes a haunt stand out is the design principles and filters that are applied. This is a rundown of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to give your guests the answers to their entertainment needs. Distill your vision and destroy the competition.

Dive into the art of Monster Mud and bring your Halloween visions to "life" using this versatile medium to create unique, one-of-a-kind props, statues, and decorations that are sure to captivate and creep. This session covers everything you need to know: what Monster Mud is, the essential supplies, tried-and-true recipes, and practical tips for working with it. You'll also discover techniques to finish, paint, and protect your creations, ensuring they last for seasons to come. Whether you're a seasoned Haunter or just starting out, this seminar will arm you with the skills and inspiration to make your Halloween decor truly unforgettable. Join us, and let the creating begin!

Join Allen Hopps of Dark Hour Haunted House, John LaFlamboy of Hellsgate Haunted House and Ben Armstrong of NETHERWORLD Haunted House as they have an in-depth discussion of why you should create deep storylines to improve your haunted attraction and how to create this sort of content. Also discussed will be how this effects actual haunt and character design while improving the guest experience.

Transform your haunted event into a lucrative money-making machine! Discover essential tips to reduce payroll and unlock new revenue streams, while mastering the art of pricing your show effectively. Uncover what truly sells and what falls flat! From cost cutting designs to admission price secrets, these strategies will empower you to maximize your profits and fill your pockets with big bucks!

In this fast paced seminar the possess of how people get scared will be explored, along with a deep dive into many different approaches to train actors and to develop characters that will leave a lasting impression on your customers. If you are a serious haunt actor, trainer or owner who wants to learn more about this critical aspect of the business, this class is for you!

Join our panel of experts as they discuss some of the critical issues you need to master before getting into the Haunted Hayride business. Safety, Trail Design, Massive Scares and effective throughput are just the tip of the iceberg in this challenging yet amazingly crowd-pleasing cornerstone of the East Coast Haunted Attraction industry.

In the fast-paced world of set design, efficiency is key. This seminar will teach you how to paint quickly and effectively without sacrificing quality. Learn essential techniques, tricks, and effects that will streamline your workflow, helping you bring your vision to life in record time. Whether you’re working on haunted attractions, theater sets, or immersive experiences, mastering the art of speed painting will take your designs to the next level.

Join Scott Bibus, Creative Director of Frightpops an introduction to the basics of pneumatics and the workld of creating creating air powered monsters!. Scott will cover the various types of pneumatic cylinders and their uses, selecting an air compressor and running airline for your haunt, building pneumatic mechanisms, and help introduce you to the mysterious and exciting work of haunt pneumatics! Everything needed to make things go bump in the night!

Ready to take your foam props and sculptures to the next level? Join us for a spine-tingling seminar where we'll unveil the secrets behind crafting eerily realistic foam statues and tombstones. Dive into techniques that transform simple foam into hauntingly lifelike creations that will leave your guests spellbound.

During this interactive session, you'll discover:

• Expert tips on selecting the right materials and tools for your projects
• Step-by-step guidance on sculpting and detailing your foam pieces
• Techniques for achieving realistic textures and finishes that mimic stone and weathered surfaces
• Creative painting methods to enhance the eerie effect of your sculptures
• Troubleshooting and maintenance advice to ensure your decorations last for many Halloweens to come

This seminar will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to create unforgettable, chilling masterpieces. Don't miss your chance to become a master of ghoulish innovations!

Explore the Art and Science of Creating Spine-Chilling Experiences: This seminar delves into the innovative techniques and tools used in projection mapping and set design to craft massive, bone-chilling environments. Attendees will learn how to seamlessly blend cutting-edge projection technology with practical set-building strategies to create visually stunning, immersive worlds that captivate and terrify audiences. The seminar will cover topics such as 3D projection mapping, lighting effects, sound design, and the integration of interactive elements to enhance the overall eerie atmosphere.

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is famous for its staff retention and morale. Each year, dozens of Halloween Nights employees are recognized for their 5, 10, 15... even 25 year anniversaries with the event! In an industry that sees high turnover and burnout, what are they keys to keeping seasonal part-time staff happy, engaged, and excited to return year after year? Join us as we share some of the programs and initiatives that have been successful in creating a positive haunt working environment.

Costuming is an integral part of creating an immersive environment for guests and enhancing an actor's character. Learn how to take basic items and transform them with various distressing techniques, dyeing, and embellishments to create unique costumes for your show. Even if you aren't a seamstress, you can easily modify garments into creepy creations.

Step into the mesmerizing world of holiday haunt makeups and transcend the boundaries of Halloween with this captivating seminar! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned makeup artist, this session will arm you with skills to create spellbinding looks that seamlessly transition from one holiday to the next.

What You'll Learn:

• Halloween Basics: Start with the fundamental techniques to craft iconic Halloween looks, from spooky zombies to glamorous witches.
• Transformative Techniques: Discover the magic of transforming these basic looks into stunning masterpieces for other holidays, such as Christmas and Valentine's Day, by simply changing colors, incorporating stencils, and adding light SFX.
• Holiday Haunts: Unveil the secrets to designing hauntingly beautiful makeups for:
  -- Halloween: Master eerie yet enchanting effects that make heads turn.
  -- Christmas: Create whimsical and festive designs that bring holiday cheer to life.
  -- Valentine's Day: Channel the spirit of love with hauntingly romantic and enchanting makeup creations.
  
  

Join us to explore the art of holiday haunt makeups, where each celebration becomes an opportunity to let your creativity run wild. Learn to enchant and captivate with every brushstroke!

Ready to unleash your inner artist and make every holiday a hauntingly memorable one?

The success or failure of your haunted attraction can be determined by its layout and design. How can you use your space to maximize actors? Lengthen guest experience? Add intensity! All these questions are answered and more in this high-energy class where Allen and a PowerPoint rattle off one amazing design tip after the other. This class will be worth your time as a 38-year haunt veteran distills decades of haunt knowledge into 20 top tips. Be ready to take notes!

Dig deep to harness your individuality to create a unique character of your own. Learn how to fuse new perspectives and techniques with your existing skill sets to truly empower your own creativity. Using a thoughtful approach, you'll learn how to think about creature-creating in a way that pulls from your deepest strengths and inspirations.

Think Pennhurst Asylum is only alive during haunt season? Think again! Join Jim Werner, Operations Manager of Pennhurst Asylum, for an exclusive look at the thrilling off-season events that keep the energy pulsing through these historic halls year-round. From paranormal investigations and in-depth history tours to adrenaline-pumping car shows, horror conventions, and themed interactive experiences, this seminar will unveil the diverse and immersive events that bring Pennhurst to life beyond October.

Discover how Pennhurst’s dark and haunted history blends with fundraisers, special events, and horror-inspired gatherings, creating unforgettable experiences for thrill-seekers, history buffs, and supernatural enthusiasts alike. More than just a behind-the-scenes look, this session can help you format your own off-season offerings or spark an idea that could keep your location thriving all year long. Whether you’re a paranormal investigator, haunt operator, or event planner, you’ll walk away with new inspiration and practical strategies to make the most of every season.

New to sequencing? This beginner-friendly class is the perfect place to start! We’ll explore how to use xLights effects to bring props to life and bring life your sequences. Using a small demo setup, we’ll apply effects, see how they look on different props, while listening for musical cues to guide our sequencing choices. By the end of the class, you’ll have a solid foundation to begin creating your own eye-catching sequences. Let’s light it up!

New to Light-O-Rama or ready to upgrade your static display? This class provides an overview of the LOR ecosystem, from controllers and sequencing software to show playback and layout design. Learn how the system works, what you need to get started, and how to build a solid foundation for creating your own custom sequences. This session will help you understand how everything fits together, and give you the knowledge to take your first steps—or your next big leap—with Light-O-Rama!

Learn the essentials of creating a successful drive-through or commercial holiday light show in this practical and inspiring seminar. From design concepts and layout planning to technical logistics like lighting, animation, and synchronized music, we’ll cover every aspect of turning your festive vision into a reality. Discover tips on budgeting, marketing, and ensuring a seamless visitor experience to make your display a standout attraction. Whether you're starting from scratch or enhancing an existing show, this session will guide you through the process step by step.

Kyle will share the strategies that enabled him to grow his social media following to over 1.2 million followers and achieve tens of millions of views annually. He will discuss the key factors that contribute to going viral, as well as delve into the essential aspects of content creation, including filming, editing, and posting. Additionally, Kylewill provide valuable tips for growing your presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Controllers are at the heart of any pixel display. The DIY controller space is rapidly advancing, with new features and capabilities rolling out to the market regularly. In this class, we will cover features and capabilities of Falcon, Experience Lights, and Kulp controllers. We’ll look at how to assign IP address, how to network controllers together, and how to get everything talking properly. We’ll also look at how to layout controllers in xLights, assign props to ports, and upload configs. Next we’ll do a dive into the role of receivers and their role in pixel displays. Time permitting, we’ll also chat about smart receivers and their capability and limitations. Join us to learn how to decide on the best products to use for your display, and stay up to date on the latest tech!

Have an idea for your very own coro prop? Take a tour of the popular CAD program Fusion 360 and learn how to design your own. After this class you should have the tools necessary to design and send custom cut files to your Coro manufacturer to be made specially just for you.

This introductory course covers the fundamentals of addressable pixels, including the different types, applications, and troubleshooting techniques. Learn how to choose the right pixels for your project, explore real-world use cases from permanent installations to animated displays and gain hands-on knowledge in basic repairs and maintenance. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your skills, this class will provide the essential tools and insights to work with pixels effectively.

Props, Music, Theming! These are the fundamental building blocks that separate the best displays from the rest. This must-see class will prepare you to make the best decisions possible as you design your home display. Create a cohesive design you can be proud of through wise prop selection, a strong theme, and (if applicable) music & choreography that inspires. Whether you are just starting out or reimagining your display from scratch, this is the class you don't want to miss.

Being Santa is about more than just donning a red suit and saying "Ho Ho Ho!" A truly great Santa understands their audience, pays attention to the details, and goes the extra mile to ensure everyone feels the magic of Christmas. This class will cover the essential dos and don'ts of embodying the jolly figure, as well as provide valuable resources for finding Santa supplies. It's an interactive class, so come prepared to engage and participate.

Want to automate your display? Save money by only activating snow effects when there are viewers to actually enjoy it? Maybe appease your neighbors by only turning on the sound when a pedestrian walks up to your display. Come see how I used AI and home automation to do both those things, saving me hundreds of dollars on snow fluid. Even automated testing my show for bad pixels! I will show you a live demo of all technologies used and walk you through how they all connect together.

Welcome to a world of vibrant colors and cutting-edge control! In this class, you’ll learn how to harness the power of modern RGB lighting technology to transform any space. Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or a tech enthusiast, Nick Johnson of Glimpses of Light will guide you through permanent RGB lighting installations, perfect for highlighting architectural features and creating dynamic environments. With the ability to control your lights seamlessly via smartphone apps or onboard Wi-Fi, this course will demonstrate how easy it is to elevate the aesthetic of your space with just the push of a button. We’ll explore the most popular products and applications on the market today, focusing on modern trim lighting that enhances any setting. By the end of this class, you’ll have the knowledge to install and control RGB lighting systems, making your home, business, or facility look spectacular all year long—and be ready to celebrate every holiday season with a colorful flair!

Let’s Make Characters Sing in xLights Want to make your Christmas lights sing? This class will teach you how to bring singing characters to life using xLights Faces effect. Combined with lyric tracks, you can have your trees, bulbs, stockings, or a matrix syncing mouth movements along with the music. Singing faces are a fan favorite, especially for kids, and add an unforgettable interactive element to any display. Get ready to give your light show a voice!

Take control of your Light-O-Rama show with this in-depth look at playback and scheduling options. This class covers everything you need to know about the LOR Control Panel and computer playback methods, how to build and load SD cards for Showtime Director based displays, and how the Light-O-Rama Mobile App gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel anywhere in the world and control your show from the palm of your hand.

Projection mapping is an incredible technology that allows you to transform any surface into a dynamic canvas for storytelling. This cutting-edge tech involves the use of projectors to create unbelievable, moving, and interactive elements as you've never seen before. This course will cover projection and playback technology, a live demonstration of creating a projection map, and a brief walk-through of animated content creation using Adobe After Effects. Time permitting, we will also touch on how AI can help with the content creation process. Join us to learn how to create an immersive and engaging experience that will captivate and inspire your audience!

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade your setup, this class will walk you through what it really takes to build a solid MegaTree — from the DIY basics all the way to pro-level builds. I’ll break down the parts, share what to look out for, and show you to make life a whole lot easier when it comes to setup, storage, and stability. You’ll get real-world tips, learn how to avoid common headaches, and leave with a better understanding of how to make your MegaTree not just work — but last. This class is for everyone, no matter where you're at during your display journey.

All Things DMX In this session, we will explore various DMX-controlled devices, including snow machines, fog machines, and moving heads. We will provide a comprehensive demonstration on how to connect these devices to an xLights-compatible controller, program them within the xLights software, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during operation.

Think Light-O-Rama is just for Christmas lights? Think again! This class explores how LOR can seamlessly integrate with DMX devices like intelligent lighting fixtures, fire and smoke machines, P5 panels, and more. Learn how to expand your display beyond traditional lighting by incorporating special effects and stage-quality elements—all controlled within the LOR ecosystem.

This Light-O-Rama intensive is ideal for decorators with 1+ seasons of experience who are ready to grow their show and expand their technical knowledge and sequencing skills.

On Friday, bring your computer and follow along to unlock the full potential of the Light-O-Rama Sequencer in this hands-on class designed to help you create stunning, dynamic displays. Learn how to efficiently build and expand your preview, organize your props in grid views for faster sequencing, and minimize your mouse clicks through 50+ keyboard shortcuts and advanced option menus. Finish out on Friday by learning to customize your RGB props for creative success, exploring the latest RGB sequencing techniques and effects, and expert tips to synchronize your lights perfectly with music.

On Saturday, the intensive dives deeper into hardware networking, show scheduling, optimized playback, and troubleshooting to ensure your displays continue to run flawlessly as you grow your show. Learn how to configure and manage both basic and advanced LOR controllers, set up efficient show schedules, and control real lights during playback from the Control Panel or LOR Mobile App. Plus, gain expert techniques for diagnosing and resolving common issues to keep your display running smoothly all season long.

Throughout the intensive, participants will engage in hands-on exercises, real-world scenarios, and receive expert guidance to build confidence in managing and enhancing their LOR displays. Whether you're a seasoned decorator or newer to synchronized lighting, this training offers valuable insights to transform your displays into captivating experiences.

This class is Friday April 25 & Saturday April 26.
Friday Class time: 8:00am-1:00pm
Saturday Class time: 1:00pm-5:00:pm
Speakers: Friday - Aubrey Kall & Don Teague
Saturday - Nuno Fernandes & Marcus Ledet

Located at the host hotel Hilton Garden Inn | 500 Cresson Blvd Phoenixville, PA 19460

Cost $150 Pre-show pricing/ After April 18, Cost $170

Are you ready to outshine your neighbors but don’t know where to start? Start here! We take you from the very start of learning how pixel light shows work, how to approach planning your pixel show, building a prop (in class!), and making it blink. We will walk through how to use xLights (correctly), mapping your house, understand models and where to get them, model groups, whole house effects, basic sequencing, how to use controllers, and even what tools you’ll need for regular maintenance. You will leave with the knowledge and a plan to make your house the first house on your street with a pixel light show in 2025. Bonus: You get to keep the prop you make in class, too!

Bill Porter is an engineer for the U.S. Navy, technical director for an international robotics competition and a STEM educator for students and teachers alike. Since 2013 Bill has been decorating his home with computer-controlled Christmas lights and developing open-source controllers and technologies used by the Christmas lights community. Since 2018, he has taught beginner and advanced classes at DIY Christmas light events, helping others bring their own displays to life.

Pat Delaney started the hobby in 2011 and began using FPP around version 1.8. In 2015, he joined the development team and has been teaching FPP at various minis since 2016. He also puts on a Christmas and Halloween show and likely holds the record for the most attended minis last year as a non-vendor. His display has been featured in various newscasts and media outlets in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

Bill and Pat have been teaching this beginner's course for over three years, and during that their students have created displays that have garnered recognition in the local news.

This class is Friday April 25 & Saturday April 26.
Friday Class time: 8:00am-1:00pm
Saturday Class time: 2:00pm-5:00:pm
Speakers: Bill Porter & Pat Delaney

Located at the host hotel Hilton Garden Inn | 500 Cresson Blvd Phoenixville, PA 19460

Cost $150 Pre-show pricing/ After April 18, Cost $170

Installers Education Series

This package includes a group of sessions that are geared towards Christmas Light installer education. Package includes a group of expert speaker/trainers in the Christmas installation field to provide you with a variety of educational seminars that will help make your business grow and stand out from your competitors. The best thing is it's FREE to anyone attending the trade show!

Providing these classes for free are made possible by our Christmas vendors so please support as many of them as you can by visiting their booths on the trade show floor.

Training sessions start Friday April 25th at 8:30am and end on Saturday April 26th at 9:00am, followed by the trade show starting at 9:30am. There are a variety of events and seminars during the trade show that are offered separately. Be sure to check those out as well.

Space is limited and on a first come first serve basis. Register as soon as possible to guarantee your spot.

Sessions are Friday, 04/25/2025 and Saturday, 04/26/2025

Friday Sessions: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday Session: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center - Room 7