A giant Lite-Brite entrance sign draws nostalgia and attention to Toronto’s new immersive attraction in the Distillery District
By Marika Gabriel
Illuminarium has replicated the concept of peg-based illumination—as utilized by the Lite-Brite toy. Photos by Amanat Khullar
At first thought, a nostalgic toy and a cutting-edge immersive entertainment experience may seem like an unlikely pairing. However, at Toronto’s Illuminarium in the Distillery District, “Lite-Brite Worlds of Wonder” came to life, offering a kaleidoscope of colour and light this summer.
The experience
The installation process involved setting up scaffolding, attaching the LED panels, and testing the custom rig setup to ensure proper control of the lights.
Illuminarium, which opened August 2023, is a reprogrammable immersive theatre that surrounds visitors in a sensory space of sight, sound, and scale. It provides access to incredible but often out-of-reach places—from outer space to the fantasy setting of Alice in Wonderland—and adds to the many attractions the Distillery District in Toronto boasts of.
In partnership with Hasbro and the Toronto-based media company Secret Location, Illuminarium has replicated the concept of peg-based illumination—as utilized by the Lite-Brite toy. This was achieved by using projectors and sensors to create thousands of coloured interactive lights on the walls and the ground for the “Lite-Brite Worlds of Wonder” experience.
This one-hour experience, spread across the 1,254 m2 (13,500-sf) entertainment complex, allows visitors to experience three worlds (Ocean World, Dino World, and Future World) and engage in 12 playable games. Further, if one so chooses, they can create patterns on a classic or giant Lite-Brite.
The entrance
This leads us back to the first question: How does one create and promote such an intriguing concept? To get people interested in stepping into the world of Lite Brite, a giant sign of the toy stands at the entrance, measuring 4.8 m (15.7 ft) in height, 6.02 m (19.7 ft) in width, and with a depth of 1 m (3.2 ft), capturing the essence of the beloved toy in a larger-than-life format. In about two weeks, the installation process transformed this concept into reality, and the front signage was ready in time for the premiere of the Lite-Brite Worlds of Wonder experience on May 8. Further, despite the signage’s massive dimensions, it was created to ensure the potential for it to be transported to other locations—if the show opens elsewhere.
Designed for both impact and adaptability, the installation promises to captivate audiences with its vibrant LED panels and custom rig setup. The fabrication process was a testament to precision and creativity, utilizing scaffolding, LED panels, and a custom rig to control the lights.
Challenges such as budget constraints, compliance with location bylaws regarding permanent installations, and flexibility were navigated through careful planning, creative problem-solving, and close collaboration with partners such as Woodbecker for fabrication. The sign was designed to be even more adaptable, so future changes—such as converting the LEDs to screens—may be accommodated.
The installation process involved setting up scaffolding, attaching the LED panels, and testing the custom rig setup to ensure proper control of the lights. Specialized equipment for mounting and electrical work was used throughout the installation. Before visitors even step into the colourful world of “Lite-Brite Worlds of Wonder,” they are greeted at the entrance by this celebration of creativity.
The Lite Brite game, first introduced in 1967, was created to allow children to create illuminated designs. Photo courtesy Illuminarium
For those who may not have experienced it or have since forgotten, Lite-Brite, originally introduced in 1967, was a marvel of its time. It featured a light box adorned with small, vibrant plastic pegs that illuminated against a black paper backdrop. Whether you followed one of the included templates or let your imagination run wild, each peg brought a burst of colour to create designs, blending light, colour, and childhood imagination. Today, the giant Lite-Brite signage and the immersive experience inside stand as proof of this power of imagination coupled with technological prowess, inviting guests to embark on a journey through light and wonder.
