Evening tickets are £10 for fireworks, lasers and a Grand Cascade water show on 2 to 4 October. Dogs must leave by 5pm, and under-16s go free with an adult.

The Alnwick Garden is marking its 25th birthday with three evenings of fireworks, lasers and light shows on the Grand Cascade, from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October. An evening-only ticket costs £10.

The Garden announced the programme on its own events page. The first phase of the Garden, including the Cascade, opened in October 2001, so the weekend falls almost exactly 25 years on.

What is on

In the daytime, according to the Garden:

  • never-shown footage of the Garden being built, on a huge screen in front of the Grand Cascade
  • rides, games and bubbleologists
  • live music

The Garden says daytime activities depend on the weather and on availability, and may differ from day to day.

After dark, the build-up includes fire jugglers and LED performers. The night ends with a Grand Cascade water display that combines screens, lights, lasers and fireworks.

Food and drink stalls will sell pizza, hot dogs, waffles and Pimm’s.

Tickets and times

Day Ticket Hours
Thursday 1 October Day ticket only, no evening event 10am to 5pm
Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October Day ticket, includes the evening 10am to 8.15pm
Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October Evening-only ticket, £10 5pm to 8.15pm

Up to four children under 16 go free with every paying adult, the Garden says. The price of a day ticket is shown when you book through the Garden’s booking page. Only Flexi tickets, which cost £1.50 extra, can be moved to another date; standard tickets are non-refundable.

Members and pass holders get in free but must reserve a place in advance. Garden members and Annual Pass holders can book both day and evening places. Lilidorei-only members can book the evening free, but need a paid Garden ticket for the daytime.

If you are bringing a dog

Dogs are welcome until 5pm on Sunday 4 October, as on any dog-friendly day. They cannot stay for the evening on any of the three nights, because of the fireworks.

The Garden says you can leave with your dog and be readmitted for the evening. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed, but the Garden asks owners to think hard about whether a fireworks show will suit them.

What it means for you

Book ahead if you want the evening. The Garden sells the evening in its own £10 ticket, with entry from 5pm, and the show runs to 8.15pm. That is a late finish for young children, so plan the drive home.

Plan for parking in town. Work on Alnwick’s Cobbles starts on Monday 28 September, and parking in the Market Place is suspended for the Northumberland Hall build from October. Our Alnwick Cobbles report has the details, and parking in Northumberland lists the council car parks.

If you cannot make the weekend, the Garden’s “25 things to do” trail for the anniversary year runs on normal days, with leaflets at the Pavilion entrance. The next big date is Winter Lights, from 20 November.

The Alnwick Garden is run by The Alnwick Garden Trust, registered charity number 1095435.