balloons

21 beautiful rainbow displays to put a smile on your face during coronavirus

A reminder that we're all in the battle against COVID-19 together

Updated: March 22, 2023

@vickykwilson

The world is charting new territory everyday amid coronavirus but, despite facing its biggest pandemic, people are coming together to spread hope and kindness. From the USA to Australia, children and adults across the globe are lifting our spirits in the best way they can: by putting on rainbow displays. As a symbol of light after dark (a rainbow comes after a rainfall), they are painting, drawing and blowing-up balloons to create rainbows for the front of their houses, and the trend has since become a social media phenomenon with the hashtags #RainbowTrail and #ChaseTheRainbow. Here, we share some of the most beautiful displays, as a reminder that we truly are all in this together.

SEE: How you can help the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic

In Tooting, London (above), one resident took the time to blow up balloons and decorate the entire front of their property. Since, several people have stopped during their daily outings to take photos of the home and, no doubt, left with a smile on their face. "Our street suddenly got a lot more cheerful in these not so cheery times," @vickykwilson wrote.

@cake_architect

A bakery in Bradford created their own edible interpretation of rainbow displays with a mindblowing rainbow cake that now stands in the shop window. 

@lecv

Another family painted their front gate and wrote. "From our house to yours, stay positive, keep smiling."

@townofcbs

Conception Bay South fire department in California painted the front of their fire station to create the effect of a rainbow. 

@cardiffcottage

In Cardiff, one resident painted a rainbow across their front door, and used the colours to frame their top window.

@allthingspartyevents

As well as paintings in the window, this person created a rainbow using balloons, complete with mini red hearts.

@andreaelleray

Rainbow-striped garlands and a rainbow-coloured wreath offered an alternative, but beautiful, approach to the trend.

SEE: 9 charities you can support during coronavirus and how

@andreamurrayphoto

Harrods in London is also showing their support and, since closing, has covered the windows of the store with holographic rainbows.

@brentwoodrainbow

A block of flats came together to incorporate the whole building by hanging a rainbow balloon garland across its front.

@coco_de_coop

In Australia, residents decorated the side of a church by drawing a rainbow in chalk.

@eppingforestrainbow

Balloons were also the method of choice for this family.

@rainbow__trail

The trend started with people showing rainbows in their windows, and this person used floral stickers to create theirs.

@mmickey1980 

A school used colourful rags to tie on a fence and create the illusion of a rainbow. 

@littlefamilyofexplorers

One family covered their whole front window with a bright rainbow design.

@christineandrew

Christine Andrew in Salt Lake City, Utah, used chalk art to create this beautiful design. Apparently, it's as easy as taping down random lines and colouring in the secions. 

@comedowntothewoods

Renowned artists have also been doing their bit for the campaign. "This awesome banner is from @ingoodcompanyleeds It’s a project that has been the brainchild of @laurawelli and sees artists from across the UK collaborating on a campaign to bring joy, art and colour to the streets," said @comedowntothewoods. "So that people can spread positivity with art. This particular piece thanking all of our key worker superheroes is by @moragmyerscough."

@comedowntothewoods

Subtle decorations such as these paper rainbows from Paper Dreams still make a bold statement. The company is also donating £5 from any rainbow decoration sales to the NHS. 

@elari_events

Elari Events are creating gorgeous garlands with a rainbow palette such as this beautiful pink, purple, green and blue design. 

@erinsummer_

From flowers to yellow window frames and all the rainbows, this house is guaranteed to brighten up the street.

@Teenytinymiss

A family in Manchester attempted to create a rainbow using cut-outs of their hands, but ended up with hearts. "Realising that drawing around our hands and cutting them out was probably going to take forever, we ended up with hearts," @teenytinymiss wrote on Instagram. "Our contribution to the #rainbowtrail and hoping it raises a smile for those that need it." 

@sarahjanemaxine

In New Cross, London, one family painted rainbows on paper and had them laminated for protection.

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