Lighting Up Portola 2023: A Large-Scale Custom LED Headband Case by NeonWill

At large music festivals, being remembered as a brand often means creating an experience people can actively take part in — and share.

At Portola Music Festival 2023, a glowing bunny-ear LED headband became a standout visual element across the crowd, naturally blending branding into music, movement, and social media moments.
For this project, NeonWill delivered a full end-to-end custom solution for a well-known mezcal artesanal brand, 400 Conejos®.

Project Background: Turning a Brand Symbol into a Wearable Experience

For Portola 2023, the client was looking for an alternative to traditional promotional items. Rather than disposable giveaways, the goal was to create something participants would genuinely want to wear — an item that could move with the crowd, appear in photos, and become part of the event atmosphere.

Drawing inspiration from the brand’s iconic rabbit identity, both teams quickly aligned on the direction:
a luminous bunny-ear headband designed specifically for a nighttime music-festival environment.

At the same time, the project required a solution that could balance creative customization with large-volume production and a fixed event deadline.

Custom Design: Built Around the Event Environment

During the design phase, NeonWill worked closely with the client team, refining every detail with real-world event use in mind.

The bunny-ear shape was designed with clean, flowing lines to ensure strong visibility and a clear silhouette when illuminated. The headbands were produced in four different LED light colors, with 200 units per color, creating visual variety and a dynamic look across the festival crowd.

The brand text “Mezcal Artesanal – 400 Conejos” was printed directly on the ear section. Placement and scale were carefully adjusted to ensure the logo remained legible in low-light conditions, as well as in photos and videos.

Prototyping & Testing: Prioritizing Wearability

In a festival setting, comfort and stability are just as important as appearance.

Before mass production, NeonWill focused on optimizing the headband fit. To balance long-term wearing comfort, stability during active movement, and a visually balanced look across different head and face shapes, two different headband sizes were prototyped.

Real wearing-effect videos were produced to show how each option performed in practice. These visuals allowed the client to evaluate fit and appearance with confidence and finalize the best solution before moving into full production.

Large-Scale Custom Execution: Precision and Coordination

The project involved 1,000 fully customized LED headbands, combining multiple colors, custom printing, and strict timing requirements.

NeonWill managed the entire process, including final design approval, color allocation, logo consistency, packaging solutions, and delivery scheduling aligned with the festival timeline. Each step was carefully coordinated to ensure the products arrived on site ready for immediate distribution and use.

On-Site Impact: A Visual Highlight of the Event

At the festival, the client created a dedicated display and pickup area where attendees could easily access the headbands. Once worn, the glowing bunny ears quickly became a visual highlight — appearing throughout the crowd in photos, videos, and shared moments.

By encouraging participation in a playful and organic way, the brand successfully integrated itself into the event experience rather than standing apart from it. Following the event, the client expressed strong satisfaction with both the final product and the collaboration process.

Case Summary: What This Project Demonstrates

This project highlights NeonWill’s capability in large-volume custom illuminated products, from early concept development to final delivery. By combining creative design, hands-on prototyping, clear communication, and reliable execution, NeonWill supports brands in transforming ideas into practical, high-impact event experiences.

Whether for music festivals, brand activations, retail promotions, or large-scale events, NeonWill helps brands create illuminated products that people want to wear, capture, and remember.