Former Blackpool Illuminations Boss Creates New Magic at Fairytale Farm

Fairytale Farm’s popular Illuminated Evenings return this autumn with their most spectacular season yet — designed by Richard Ryan, the independent lighting consultant who led the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations for almost three decades.

Richard has been part of the Fairytale Farm story since 2013, when he first designed the attraction’s unique Illuminated Evenings display. Every year since, he has upgraded and expanded the spectacle, ensuring it stays fresh, imaginative and full of surprises.

During his 29-year career at Blackpool Illuminations, Richard oversaw some of the UK’s largest lighting projects. He pioneered the use of LED technology, introduced cutting-edge projection mapping and multi-layered lighting control, and managed teams delivering shows across more than 100 large-scale sites worldwide. His leadership transformed Blackpool Illuminations into a multi-award-winning service that embraced both tradition and innovation.

For 2025, Richard is giving Fairytale Farm’s Illuminated Evenings and Christmas Fairytale displays their biggest refresh yet. Highlights include:

  • A fully upgraded entrance frontage with RGB control, enabling Fairytale Farm to synchronise its lighting with national awareness campaigns such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Remembrance Day, Autism Awareness, and seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
  • A spectacular overhaul of the illuminated fountains, one of the event’s original 2013 features, now transformed into a higher-flow, faster-gushing centrepiece.
  • A host of brand-new autumn and Christmas displays, each designed to surprise, delight and immerse visitors of all ages.

Richard Ryan said:
“It’s been a joy to work with Fairytale Farm over the years, developing Illuminated Evenings into something really special. Each year we add something new, and 2025 is no exception. With the refreshed entrance frontage, the upgraded fountains and a large influx of new Christmas displays, visitors will see the show grow from strength to strength.”

Nick Laister, owner of Fairytale Farm, added:
“Richard is a legend in the world of illuminations, and to have him designing and upgrading our display every year since 2013 has been incredible. His experience at the helm of Blackpool Illuminations means we can offer something truly unique here in Oxfordshire. With the new 2025 features, this year’s Illuminated Evenings will be our most spectacular yet.”

Illuminated Evenings 2025 will run every Saturday and Sunday from 4th October to 16th November, every Friday from 31st October to 14th November, and nightly throughout the October half term (25th October to 2nd November). The Christmas Illuminations, an entirely different display, launch on 22nd November as part of Fairytale Farm’s Christmas Fairytale event.

Tickets are available now at: www.fairytalefarm.co.uk

Download photographs here: https://we.tl/t-G7DB3uxJey

More details on the event here: https://www.fairytalefarm.co.uk/events/illuminated-evenings-at-fairytale-farm-2/

ENDS

Notes for editors:

  • Fairytale Farm is located on the A44 just outside Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
  • Richard Ryan worked on Blackpool Illuminations from 1989 to 2018, managing a £2.3m budget, a team of 46 staff and over a million LEDs.
  • Under his leadership, Blackpool Illuminations won multiple tourism and environmental awards for innovation in large-scale lighting and projection.
  • He has designed Fairytale Farm’s Illuminated Evenings display since its launch in 2013, upgrading and expanding it every year.
  • Press enquiries: [email protected]