Autumn’s calling again – that cool, crisp season where fireworks cut across the night sky and hot chocolate somehow tastes better outdoors. And this year, one of the UK’s most anticipated family events is making its grand return: the Autumn Lights Tour 2025. If you’ve never been (or you’re already planning a second visit), this guide covers everything you need to know – from tour dates and locations to what to pack, what to expect, and a few tips to make the most of it.
Where It’s Happening: Tour Dates and Venues
This year’s tour is bigger and brighter than ever, stretching across six major UK venues. Each site brings its own twist – and its own skyline. Here’s where and when you can catch it:
- Cheshire County Showground (WA16 0JJ) – Saturday 25 October
- Elvington Airfield, York (YO41 4AU) – Monday 27 October
- Lincolnshire Showground (LN2 2NA) – Friday 31 October
- Norfolk Showground (NR5 0TT) – Saturday 1 November
- Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate (HG2 8NZ) – Monday 3 November
- Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield (S9 2DF) – Wednesday 5 November
Each stop promises a mix of music, fireworks, food, and a buzzing fairground vibe that feels more like a mini-festival than a local display.
What to Expect
Think less “quick fireworks in a muddy field,” and more immersive autumn spectacle. The Autumn Lights Tour is designed as a full evening out – not just a finale.
Gates open around 3pm, giving you a few hours to soak in the atmosphere before the first sparks fly. Expect:
- Street food villages filled with everything from loaded fries to churros (yes, you’ll smell them before you see them).
- Funfair rides and kids’ zones for younger visitors.
- Bars and live DJs for the adults – including the return of Dick & Dom on the decks (we know, nostalgia hits hard).
- Two separate fireworks displays: a children’s display early in the evening, and a huge pyromusical finale later on.
That double-show format is one of the tour’s best features. It gives families with young children a chance to enjoy fireworks before bedtime – and the rest of us, well, another excuse to grab another drink before the main event.
The Magic Behind the Fireworks
Every year, the pyrotechnics seem to level up. The displays are choreographed to music, meaning the fireworks burst perfectly in sync with an epic soundtrack. The 2025 show reportedly features new pyromusical sequences and custom soundtracks composed specifically for the tour – yes, it’s that serious.
The organisers have also hinted at upgraded lighting rigs and enhanced low-smoke effects (perfect for photography). If you’re someone who loves taking night shots, this is your moment. You might even experiment with vibrant smoke effects for photoshoots before the show – though always check each venue’s safety rules first.
And if you’re the sort of person who geeks out over fireworks (we respect that), you might want to read about the British Firework Championships too – they showcase some of the same award-winning teams that help design these touring displays.
Tickets, Prices, and Timing
Let’s talk practicalities.
- Book in advance – prices are cheaper online. Expect around £16–£18 for adults and £8–£10 for children (under 3s usually go free).
- Parking is available on-site and often included in your ticket, but check each venue’s details just in case.
- Food and drink: most sites allow you to bring small snacks and soft drinks (no glass or alcohol).
- Opening times: gates open at 3pm, first fireworks around 7:30pm, finale around 9:15pm.
- Accessibility: each showground varies, but most have designated accessible areas and on-site toilets.
A quick word on weather: it’s the UK, and it’s autumn – so prepare for it. Muddy fields, drizzle, wind; you know the drill. Bring boots or wellies, a warm jacket, and perhaps a flask of tea for the walk back to the car park.
Insider Tips for a Brilliant Night
We’ve gathered some tried-and-tested wisdom from regular attendees (and our own experience freezing through countless bonfire nights).
1. Arrive early.
Seriously – by 4pm if you can. You’ll avoid queues for food, find a better viewing spot, and park closer to the exit.
2. Bring ear defenders for kids.
Even the early display can be loud, and while most little ones love it, the big finale is powerful.
3. Dress for layers.
October evenings can start mild and end with you regretting life choices if you didn’t bring gloves. Layers are your best friend.
4. Don’t stand too close.
You’ll actually get a better perspective if you’re slightly further back – you’ll see the full arc of the fireworks, not just the bursts above your head.
5. Check the site map in advance.
Most venues release theirs online. Knowing where the loos, food stalls, and exits are can save you some fumbling around in the dark.
6. Stay after the finale (if you can).
Traffic can be chaotic right after the last firework. Give it 20 minutes, grab another snack, and let the crowd thin out first.
The Family-Friendly Festival Feel
One of the nicest surprises about the Autumn Lights Tour is that it manages to blend family-friendly fun with grown-up energy. There’s something for everyone: toddlers waving glow sticks, teens filming for TikTok, couples holding hands under bursts of colour.
Each venue has local vendors and performers too, which gives every stop its own identity. York’s site, for example, leans into fairground nostalgia with vintage rides, while Sheffield’s has a more urban vibe – food trucks, live DJs, and street-style lighting setups.
It’s that combination – fireworks, food, music, and a shared sense of awe – that makes it so addictive.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
We could list all the practical reasons – the scale of the displays, the affordability, the variety of venues – but honestly, there’s something deeper. Autumn in the UK can be gloomy: the days shorten, the nights stretch out, and we all start talking about the weather even more.
The Autumn Lights Tour is an antidote to that. It’s colour and noise and warmth, packed into a few glittering hours. It’s the smell of bonfire in the air, the bass thump of music syncing perfectly with a golden explosion overhead. It’s families, friends, and strangers sharing the same delighted “wow” in the dark.
In Summary
The Autumn Lights Tour 2025 is shaping up to be one of the UK’s most exciting seasonal events – a full evening of lights, music, and atmosphere spread across multiple cities. Whether you’re heading to Norfolk, Lincolnshire, or Sheffield, you’ll find an experience that’s both spectacular and surprisingly cosy.
Bring layers. Bring your camera. Bring people you like.
And maybe – between the fireworks, fairground lights, and laughter – you’ll remember that autumn isn’t just about colder nights; it’s about finding light in them.
