TICKETS are now on sale for Leicester’s biggest and best Bonfire Night celebrations – and firework fans who buy them by Friday (13 October) will get a bumper Early Bird discount.
Abbey Park will host the city’s stunning fireworks display and Bonfire Night festivities on Saturday 4 November, with a fun-packed programme of events for all ages, including live entertainment, fire performers and a funfair.
There’ll also be plenty of hot food stalls and – for the first time – a licensed bar.
A quieter firework display for noise-sensitive and younger visitors will take place at 6.45pm, when a magical, mythical creature – with flares and fire fountains – will light the bonfire, before the dazzling main display lights up the skies above the city at 8pm.
People are advised to buy their tickets as early as possible to take advantage of some heavily discounted prices.
This year, the best discounts are available to those who buy their tickets before midnight on Friday (13 October). Between now and then, a family ticket (two adults plus two children aged five to 15) will cost just £26 and a group ticket (up to four people of any age) will cost £28. Tickets can be bought online or in person from the Visit Leicester information centre, which is based at the King Richard III Visitor Centre on St Martins.
Anyone who misses those Early Bird bargains can still pick up cut-price Advance tickets, if they buy their tickets between Saturday (14 October) and Friday 3 November. The cost of family tickets (two adults plus two children aged five to 15) rises to £28, while the group ticket will cost £30.
Those who wait until the day of the event to buy their tickets, however, will pay the full price of £40 for a family or group ticket.
Children aged four and under do not require a ticket and will be admitted to Abbey Park free of charge.
Customers are reminded that ticket sales – both online and in person – will end at 2pm on Saturday 4 November and no tickets will be sold on the gate at Abbey Park.
E-tickets can be printed out or scanned from a phone to gain access to the park.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Leicester’s traditional bonfire night is one of the highlights of the year – and it’s always a great night out for people of all ages.
“With big discounts for those who buy their tickets early, and with free admission for children aged four and under, this is a great value way for people to enjoy a giant bonfire, live music and a spectacular display of fireworks.
“Please remember that no tickets will be sold on the gate on the night, so make sure you’ve bought your tickets before turning up at the park.”
The Abbey Park gates will open at 5pm on Saturday 4 November, when the funfair and food stalls will open. Live music and entertainment will get under way at 6pm, with the children’s firework display and the lighting of the bonfire due to take place at 6.45pm. A countdown to the main firework display will start at 8pm, with musical entertainment continuing until 9pm.
To ensure all visitors can enjoy the event, a viewing area will be reserved for wheelchair users.
People are reminded that no sparklers, fireworks or alcohol can be brought onto the site – and only assistance dogs can be admitted.
Car parking is not available in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to walk, use public transport or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site.
A limited number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are available close by, but these must be booked in advance by emailing festivals@leicester.gov.uk
Advice on cycling and walking routes are available here
Full details of the event, and a link to the ticket sales site, are available at www.visitleicester.info