Spirit Lake Unveils “The Radiant Veil” for Hulaween 2025
Live Oak, FL. Spirit Lake, the heart and soul of the annual Suwannee Hulaween festival, will reveal its most immersive artistic transformation yet in 2025 with the new theme: “The Radiant Veil, The Dance of Light and Shadow.” This concept aims to blur the lines between fantasy and reality, light and dark. It will shape the visual and experiential landscape of Spirit Lake like never before.
Leading this evolving vision is Justin Bolognino, returning for his third year as Spirit Lake’s Experience Director. As CEO of META, a pioneering experience design company, Bolognino has created sensory narratives with artists like Skrillex, Phish, and St. Vincent, along with brands such as Google and Spotify. He will now bring that same magic to Hulaween, combining storytelling, design, and technology into a multi-dimensional dreamworld.
“The Radiant Veil is a celebration of duality, where shadow breathes as much life as light,” Bolognino shared. “It’s about myth-making in motion, art that speaks, and experiences that live in your memory long after the lights fade.”
Several beloved installations will return this year, including monumental works by Paul Kuhn of Twelve Limbs Art Studio, such as The Witch, The Ferryman, and the awe-inspiring Ogres and Rock Hands—now iconic landmarks within Spirit Lake’s evolving mythos.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo also returns with his famous Spider and Pineapple Hands, joined by SLOPS, whose new installation, The Spider’s Eggs, builds on the existing storyline. The eco-conscious collective Duende Builds will bring back their enchanting Birdhouse Village, crafted entirely from local natural materials.
After its explosive debut in 2024, the OFF LIMITS stage is set to make a highly anticipated return. Designed by Duende, RÜTS, and Bolognino, the 360-degree stage merges stained-glass visuals inspired by beetles and dragonfly wings with Victorian fantasy and natural elements. This year’s lineup—curated by Define Everything Future (DEF) and powered by Incendia flame effects and a top-notch L-Acoustics sound system—features an eclectic roster, including Whethan, YDG, Jigitz, BLOND:ISH, Ahadadream, and Alex Wann.
Dark Magic, Fire Temples, and Sci-Fi Ferns
The gothic-themed House of Lost returns with new programming and design, curated by founder Ian Tuma and highlighted by its mysterious Midnight Mass. Meanwhile, Incendia’s fire-breathing geodesic domes, designed by Cory Glenn, promise to be larger and more immersive, lighting up the night sky with performances and flames.
A new permanent large-scale piece, Fiddlehead—a Fibonacci-inspired fern sculpture by Bolognino, RÜTS, Hoodie Salinas, and the Majestix Design team—will illuminate the forest with animated projection mapping, merging natural forms with futuristic fantasy.
Interactive Worlds and Micro-Theatres
Interactivity remains a key part of the Spirit Lake experience. This year introduces:
– Fox Light Labs’ SYNTHesthesia Crystals: a musical infinity-mirror crystal cluster that you can actually play.
– PDA Woodwork’s TeeterMAZE: a rocking, pinball-style maze for four players at once.
– Matt Elson’s Radiance and Tanzer: mirrored light sculptures reflecting the festival’s bright theme.
– Matt Bosch’s Blood Ov Babalon: a powerful, totemic tribute to divine feminine energy.
Adding narrative flair, the debut of the LumaVoid Theatre—featuring live shadow puppet shows by Rabbit Foot Puppetry and Dragon Box Theatre—creates an intimate venue where light and story combine.
Roots, Ritual, and Reflection
Beyond the spectacle, Spirit Lake continues to nurture spaces for connection and contemplation. The Wandering Lion Tea Sanctuary offers a serene, sober tea experience rooted in the Gong Fu Cha tradition. Longtime favorite Ania Amador’s Mural Maze returns, along with storytelling spaces like Narrative Nook, again guided by the masterful world-building of RÜTS.
A Living Dream in the Forest
With “The Radiant Veil,” Spirit Lake becomes more than just an artsy part of the festival; it transforms into a living mythos, a playground for imagination, and a canvas for deep human connection. This year’s program pushes the boundaries of what immersive festival art can be, weaving together technology, ecology, fantasy, and ritual. It is truly not something you want to miss. Remember to take a break from the music and enjoy a walk through spirit lake.
As Hulaween 2025 approaches, one thing is clear: under The Radiant Veil, the dance of light and shadow will awaken something primal, magical, and truly unforgettable.