Colour can set the mood, spark emotions, and transform ordinary moments into unforgettable ones. Whether it is the bright sweep of a city flag, the shimmer of metallics, or the glow of neon lights, bold colour palettes instantly capture attention and create energy.
Festivals thrive on this sense of vibrancy, painting spaces with rainbows of light and design that make people feel alive and connected. The effect is evident—bringing people together and leaving a lasting impact.
Festival Grounds as Living Canvases
Festivals transform entire spaces into vivid, moving works of art. Think rainbow lights dancing across stages, massive murals covering walls, and colourful décor spiralling around grounds with flags, streamers, and sculptural installations.
At festivals like Coachella, the art becomes part of the experience—and the design has gone on to inspire games like Rainbow Riches, which bursts with rainbow hues and metallic finishes. Its bold design mirrors the spirit of a music festival—lively, colourful, and impossible to ignore.
These hues and visuals are not merely for show; they act as emotional cues. Colours like bright pink, electric blue, or metallic gold tap into joy, excitement, and collective energy. They echo the festival’s spirit of unity and creativity.
When people enter these spaces, they are immersed in a sensory world built with colour. The visual impact makes crowd energy soar, helps memories take root, and makes moments feel more significant. In short, festivals use colour as a language of celebration, togetherness, and the aliveness of art in motion.
Flags and Shared Identity
Flags are more than decorative banners; they use bold, meaningful colour schemes to represent identity and pride. Cities often select two or three contrasting colours that tell a story. Blue may represent rivers, green may symbolise nature, red may reflect struggle, and gold may signify prosperity.
Chicago’s flag is a strong example, with its white and blue bars and four red stars. Each element is symbolic, and many locals display it proudly throughout the city.
These palettes help unite communities. Just as festival colours bring attendees together in celebration, city flags give residents a symbol to rally around. The colours become shorthand for shared values, history, and local pride. When a flag flies high, its palette becomes part of a place’s identity, blending design and community in a powerful bond.
Neon Signage: Urban Vibrancy
Walk down any lively street at night, and you will see how neon signage transforms the urban landscape. Bright letters and shapes in electric hues pull the gaze, signalling energy, nightlife, and an invitation to explore.
Neon signs act as visual beacons that guide attention, spark curiosity, and shape how we move through city spaces. Their colours disrupt the darkness and turn businesses, alleys, and façades into stages of activity and life.
Entertainment districts, bars, clubs, and theatres often depend on neon to announce their presence after sunset. That festive glow sets expectations for fun, excitement, and social life, helping the city feel alive.
These signs go beyond branding. They create atmosphere and connect to the festival-like energy of urban spaces after dark, fluid, colourful, and full of possibility. Neon signage is an urban celebration in light form, design that does not only decorate but also activates and animates the city.
Metallics and Modern Design Trends
Metallic finishes such as gold, silver, and chrome have become shorthand designs for luxury, energy, and flash. They are visible everywhere: in fashion with shimmering fabrics and accessories, in games through metallic user interface accents and rewards, and in interiors with mirrored surfaces, metal furniture, and polished fixtures.
In interior design, a touch of metal can transform a simple piece into a focal point. Designers use metallic accents to reflect light, add depth, and introduce visual excitement without overwhelming a space.
According to Alma de Luce, one way to use metallics in decoration is by layering different metals. Swyft Home has also identified mixed metals, such as brass, chrome, and bronze, as a leading design trend for 2025. This combination brings contrast, texture, and balance.
Colour Is Celebration
From neon nights to shimmering festivals, colour turns spaces into experiences. It sparks joy, builds unity, and fuels excitement. Bold palettes do not merely decorate; they celebrate life, reminding us that colour is one of the strongest connectors we share.
