What to expect at the Fire & Light Experience

Where does the experience start?

The Fire and Light Experience starts at the main entrance to the Valley Gardens facing the Royal Pump Room Museum, Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ where you will be met by a member of the HIF team at the on-site box office. Click here to find the Pump Rooms on Google Maps.

Please do not try to enter or access the event by any other entrances to the Valley Gardens, as these will be closed off during the event.

There will be two pick up points at the on-site box office, one for those who already have their printed tickets and one for those who need to collect their tickets. There’ll be plenty of signage and staff on site to help you and move you quickly through the box office.

The trail will loop around the Valley Gardens following the paths. You will exit the experience via the same main entrance to the Valley Gardens facing the Pump Rooms.

If I am delayed and miss my slot, can I join a later slot?

We will try and accommodate you on the next available slot within the trail operational hours on the day, however we expect the event to be busy.

Arriving by bus or train

The main train station in Harrogate is located on Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1TE and the bus station is also located on Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1TE . Both are less than a 10-15 minute walk away from Valley Gardens through the centre of town.

Why not make the most of Harrogate’s fantastic food and drink offering while you’re here, and grab a drink or bite to eat at one of our favourite bars and restaurants listed below, under our ‘food’ FAQ.

Arriving by car

There are lots of parking options around the park including pay and display and public car parks run by Harrogate Borough Council. Please check the closing times of these car parks before entrance. More information about car parking is available on the Harrogate Borough Council website.

Please arrive at the main entrance to the Valley Gardens facing the Royal Pump Room Museum, Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ 5 minutes before your time slot begins.

If you’ve not yet collected your tickets, they are available to collect at the on-site Box Office also located at the main entrance to the Valley Gardens (opposite the Pump Rooms) up to 30 minutes before your time slot begins. We will be on site on the day from 6pm.

The experience takes roughly 50 minutes to complete. Please note that timings are approximate. The trail will loop around the Valley Gardens following the paths. You will exit the experience via the same main entrance to the Valley Gardens facing the Royal Pump Room Museum, Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ.

Depending on the time and day you can collect tickets at our Cheltenham Parade Box Office or our On-Site Box Office at Valley Gardens.

Collecting from our Cheltenham Parade Box Office

Tickets can be collected from our Box Office at 32 Cheltenham Parade, HG1 1DB at the following times

10am-5pm Wednesday 23 March
10am – 4pm Thursday 24 and Friday 25 March
The Cheltenham Parade Box Office is closed on Saturdays, but our event site Box Office will be open at the Pump Rooms entrance to Valley Gardens from 6pm.

Collecting from our On-Site Box Office

Tickets can be collected from our On-Site Box Office up to 30 minutes before your time slot starts. The On-Site Box Office will be located at the Valley Gardens Pump Rooms Entrance, HG1 2SZ

Subject to availability, tickets can be purchased on the door. However, it is advisable to make an advance booking, as we expect the event to sell out.

Dogs are not permitted for safety reasons, except for assistance dogs. If you bring your dog, we cannot allow you to enter the event.

We encourage you to take photographs and to share these on social media using #HIFfireandlight. We will award £50 of Festival vouchers for our favourite photo, so make sure you tag us or use the hashtag!

Please note that the use of tripods is not allowed where the pathways are narrow. Drones are not permitted.

Toilets are available on site, located approximately half way round the trail, beyond the Valley Gardens tennis courts and just before the Fire Cone & Fire Dragons. They will be signposted, but if you are unsure where to find them, stewards will be on hand around the trail to help direct you.

There is no food or drink available on site, as we’d love visitors to go and experience the great food and drink offer available across Harrogate. We expect each evening to be busy and would recommend booking in your post or pre-show meal.

There are so many fantastic options it’s difficult to choose between them, but some of our favourites here at HIF Towers include Major Tom’s or Starling for pizza, La Feria for tapas, Stuzzi for Italian and Tah Chang for Thai food.

For drinks, you could try the Foundry Project, Cold Bath Brewing Co, North bar or the Little Ale House.

Other favourites include the Fat Badger, William & Vics, and Fashion House Bistro, which are all close to the Valley Gardens. You could also pop into The Crown Hotel for a drink.

Time slots are staggered to ensure all visitors fully enjoy the experience and see every installation. There may be a short queue when you arrive to collect tickets and enter the trail, but we expect this to move quickly.

Spring evenings can be cold, so we recommend wearing warm clothes. Visitors are also advised to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, as the trail takes place on natural paths covering areas of uneven ground and variable terrain.

The trail is not covered and all visitors are reminded that this is an outdoor Trail and the weather may be inclement. We recommend bringing appropriate outdoor and waterproof clothing.

The HIF team will be on hand at the Box Office Entrance to help with any queries. We will be dressed in black with clearly branded jackets and would love to talk to you, so don’t be shy!

There will also be stewards stationed along the paths, who can help with questions as you follow the trail.

We love to hear from our visitors and we welcome your feedback on the event. You can get in touch with us via our social media channels or by emailing info@harrogate-festival.org.uk.

After the event, we will issue a survey to collect feedback. You will receive this if you have given us your email address and permission to contact you.