How Pro AV Stole Christmas, and Made It Better

From the Theater of Dreams at New York’s, Sacks Fifth Avenue to the festive neighbors down the street, more and more people are turning ordinary decoration into awe-inspiring holiday shows with the use of Pro AV technology.

Holiday decorating, for the most part, has meant stringing lights throughout a house or a business storefront. However, with technology advancing every day it is no surprise that the traditional way of decorating for the holidays has changed. Business and venue owners can now set up timed light shows that will completely immerse on-lookers into the ever-enchanting North Pole, use audio technology to bring harsh snowy winds to the desert, and create mesmerizing visuals that people can only dream of. The ability for Pro AV technology like LED boards to tell a story through a holiday decoration has changed the expectation of what is possible and expected today.

The popular Theater of Dreams at Sacks Fifth Avenue has been a holiday tradition for 94 years. For the first time, this year, the institution included a digital storytelling animation along with its traditional window vignettes. The show took a full year to create and featured a 10-story-tall light show, holiday window concepts and 124 Broadway dancers. Lines went out the door and wrapped around the block, an obvious sign of support for the production.

Saks’ incorporation of new technology, while still paying homage to its traditional window vignettes and production, blew people away. It left no doubts that traditional holiday decorations are still very much appreciated, but have been enhanced by more immersive and active displays.

During a press release for the Theater of Dreams production, Saks Fifth Avenue President Marc Metrick stated, “As we reimagine our iconic Fifth Avenue windows and celebrate the holiday season with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS this year, we hope to connect with people in a meaningful way while helping those in need.” He added, “From the Broadway-caliber Theater of Dreams performance on Fifth Avenue, to spreading holiday magic across all Saks stores in North America and online, we strive to deliver an unparalleled holiday shopping experience for our customers.”

Implementing this technology in holiday decorations is easier than some may think. Companies such as Amazon and BestBuy have created simple “how-to’s” for light projections and audio concepts. LED projector lights and waterproof rotating landscape projectors are being sold for as little as $20 on Amazon. A quick Google search can help someone create a simple holiday light show at home in a matter of hours.

Whether someone is busting out the old ladder to hang lights by hand or setting a light projector to coincide with Mariah Carey’s version of ‘All I Want For Christmas’, the way people and businesses use technology to decorate and convey a message is evolving.

While it is not completely “out with the old” yet, Pro AV technology is entering the holiday season quickly. It is true that technology is changing the way everything is done, however, it is a person’s curiosity that leads to new technology in the first place. So, it’s no wonder that technology is leading to new creations during the most imaginative and festive time of year.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication. A new episode of the Pro AV Show drops every Thursday.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @ProAVMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DXpedition
Icom Powers 3Y0K : Ham Radio’s Most Ambitious DXpedition to Remote Bouvet Island Part 1
July 11, 2025

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…

Read More
entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More