Tree lighting snow machine
A tree lighting snow machine has to start on cue and reach the people up front, and the $499 Amazing Snowman can do that for a small crowd near the tree. A whole town square needs a bigger machine.
His flakes travel 15 to 20+ feet, and his on/off switch works with a wireless remote outlet plug, so you can start him from across the lawn.
- 15 to 20+ ftof snow from one machine
- Remoteworks with wireless outlet plugs
- ~30 secbefore the first snow appears
- 25°Fis the coldest he can run
Who he fits
- HOA and neighborhood tree lightings, where the crowd stands close.
- Small-town greens, school courtyards and mall entrances with one clear snow zone.
- Warm-weather towns. He needs an outlet and a dry night, not cold air.
- Photo spots next to the tree, where he's part of the show before and after the countdown.
- Two sides of a tree, using the Snowman and Snow Woman bundle for $799.
Who he doesn't fit
- Snow over a large crowd. Each machine reaches 15 to 20+ feet in one direction.
- Hidden or overhead snow. He's a floor-level figure with no hose. GSE's T-1400 ($2,495) has a 25-foot hose and DMX control, and GSE also rents larger machines.
- Cold climates. The manual says not to run him below 25°F.
- Rainy nights, unless you have a plan B. He can't run in rain or near standing water.
- The front edge of a stage. Keep him on a dry, even surface away from ledges and steps.
See the real one.
This is Global Special Effects' own video of the Snowman running. It wasn't shot at an event like yours, but it lets you judge the snow for yourself before you buy.
Getting the snow on cue.
- 1
Start early
Allow about 30 seconds for the pump to prime and the snow to start. If the fluid drained back during a long rest, it can take 1 to 2 minutes. Test it before the crowd arrives.
- 2
Use a remote plug
Plug him into a wireless remote outlet switch, with his own switch left on. Then a person near the tree can start him. His cord is 70 inches, and he needs a GFCI outlet.
- 3
Aim over the front row
Set him on dry, level ground and turn him so the flakes drift down over the people up front, not straight at their faces. GSE publishes no wind limit, so check the snow on the night and move him if it blows off course.
- 4
Keep an eye on the tank
A full tank is about 45 minutes. Don't let him run on a pint or less, because the pump doesn't shut itself off. Warn people if the ground gets slick.
Where to buy the Amazing Snowman
Buy him from Global Special Effects (GSE) for $499 (list $589.95). GSE builds him in Lexington, Alabama. The buttons below open GSE's own checkout, and GSE handles payment and shipping.
Prices checked on Global Special Effects' site on November 6, 2026. Some party rental companies rent snowing snowmen, and other stores may list them. We can only speak for the price at Global Special Effects, the maker.
Secure checkout and shipping by Global Special Effects, the company that builds him. Have an event date? Call (256) 229-5551 to check delivery before you order.
Good questions.
How do I start a snow machine on cue?
Plug the Amazing Snowman into a wireless remote outlet switch and leave his switch on. Trigger him about 30 seconds before the moment you want snow, and test the timing beforehand.
How cold is too cold?
GSE's manual says not to run him below 25°F and not to use him in extreme heat or cold.
How many do I need?
GSE doesn't publish crowd sizes. Use the throw as your guide: 15 to 20+ feet per machine, in one direction. If you need more than two, talk to GSE about a larger machine.
What if it rains?
Don't run him. The manual rules out rain, standing water and wet surfaces. A covered spot works if it's dry underneath.
Is the snow safe to walk through?
GSE describes the fluid as non-toxic. Its data sheet for the undiluted concentrate lists skin and eye irritation and says exposure may aggravate existing conditions. See snow fluid safety.