Star Wars Christmas

Vinny Kraus and Dustin Booth from Coastal Community Church in Virginia Beach, VA brings us this cool Star Wars Christmas design.

Want to see another one? Be sure to also check out Star Wars Christmas Part 2

Vinny and Dustin created this design with a mixture of LED tape, Coroplast, and lumber.

They started with LED tape and folded small strips of natural Coroplast over them to diffuse the light. They also created light towers made out of lumber, backed with Coroplast, lit from behind with LED par cans.

The construction process for the Coroplast light diffusers required precision and patience. The team cut strips of natural Coroplast approximately 3 inches wide and folded them lengthwise over the LED tape strips. This folding technique creates a channel that both protects the LEDs and diffuses the light evenly, eliminating harsh hot spots while maintaining brightness. The Coroplast channels were secured to the staging structure using cable ties spaced every 12 inches, ensuring they remained in place during services while allowing for easy removal during teardown.

The lumber light towers served as the primary vertical elements of the design, creating dramatic height and structure reminiscent of Star Wars architecture. Each tower was constructed using 2×4 framing with Coroplast backing panels. The towers ranged from 6 to 10 feet in height, creating visual variety and depth across the stage. LED par cans positioned behind each tower provided wash lighting that could be color-mixed to create different atmospheres—from the cool blues of Hoth to the warm oranges of Tatooine.

The LED tape implementation required careful planning for power distribution and DMX control. The team used 12V RGB LED tape with 3-chip 5050 LEDs for maximum brightness and color saturation. Each run of LED tape was limited to 16 feet to prevent voltage drop, with power injection points every 16 feet maintaining consistent brightness. The entire LED system was controlled via DMX, allowing the lighting team to program color changes and effects that synchronized with the worship music and message.

For churches interested in replicating this design, the materials list is remarkably affordable. Coroplast sheets typically cost $15-20 each from sign supply companies, while LED tape runs approximately $10-15 per 16-foot reel. The lumber for the towers can often be sourced from existing church inventory or purchased for under $100 total. LED par cans vary widely in price, but entry-level fixtures suitable for this application start around $50 each. The entire design can be executed for under $500, making it accessible for churches of any size.

The installation timeline for this project spanned three weekends of volunteer labor. Week one focused on constructing the lumber towers and cutting Coroplast diffusers. Week two involved installing the LED tape and running power/DMX cabling. Week three was dedicated to final assembly, lighting programming, and rehearsal. Having a dedicated project coordinator who understood both the creative vision and technical requirements was essential to completing the project on schedule.

Related Designs

• Star Wars Christmas – Another Star Wars themed Christmas design featuring AT-AT and snow speeder cutouts with a Nativity scene
• Light Boxes – Custom-built illuminated panels using LED technology for versatile stage backdrops
• Tilted Light – LED panel design with string light curtains for dynamic stage lighting effects
• Circle Fun! – Pixel tape circles creating dynamic LED stage elements with programmable lighting effects
• White on White – Clean contemporary design featuring LED accent lighting for modern worship spaces

Pro Tips for LED Stage Design

Coroplast Diffuser Technique: When folding Coroplast over LED tape, use a heat gun on low setting to create a crisp fold line without cracking the material. Pre-score the fold line with a dull knife for even cleaner results. The diffusion quality depends on the distance between the LED and the Coroplast surface—experiment with 1-2 inch folds for optimal light spread.

LED Tape Power Management: Never run 12V LED tape longer than 16 feet without power injection. Voltage drop causes noticeable dimming at the end of long runs and can overheat the tape at the beginning. Use 18-gauge wire for power injection lines and solder all connections for reliability. Always calculate your total wattage and use a power supply rated for at least 20% more capacity.

Tower Construction Safety: When building tall stage elements like the light towers, use a 2:1 base-to-height ratio for stability. A 10-foot tower needs at least a 5-foot wide base. Secure all towers to the stage floor or truss system using sandbags, stage weights, or mechanical fasteners. Never rely solely on the weight of the structure to keep it upright.

DMX Programming for Worship: Create lighting scenes that complement rather than distract from worship. Program subtle color transitions for slower songs and more energetic chases for upbeat music. Always include a “speaking” scene with neutral white or warm amber lighting for message portions. Test all programming with your worship team before the first service.