This article focuses on the change in colour appearance of a large display arising from various illumination conditions. Nine experimental phases were conducted according to different surround conditions including dark, indoor, and outdoor conditions. Each of the presented test colours was assessed by 10 observers using a magnitude estimation method. The surrounds used in all phases were divided into two groups: excluding and including veiling glare. Additionally, the effect due to different sizes of both stimuli and surround was investigated. Diverse visual effects were examined and reported. Finally, the visual colour appearance data were used test the CIECAM02 colour appearance model. (C`) 2010 Wiley Periodicals. Inc. Col Res Appl. 35, 200-212. 2010; Published online 14 January 2010 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20567