🎉 Luminate Ashton Court – Opening Dates & Closed Days

Open:
📅 27th November – 28th December

Closed / Dark Days:
❌ 30th November
❌ 1st December
❌ 7th December
❌ 25th December

In order to ensure that Luminate can be enjoyed by everyone to the utmost, it has been designed as a continuous experience, with strictly fixed entry time slots, starting from 4.30pm onwards, which must be pre-booked in advance.

To ensure the enjoyment and safety of all our visitors, we allocate a set number of tickets per timeslot and would ask that all visitors adhere to their booked timeslot. Our entry time slots are every fifteen minutes from 4.30-4.45pm through to 8.00pm – 8.15pm. At certain sites, we offer later slots on popular nights (Please check the site ticketing page for more info).

Last entry to the trail varies depending on what timeslots are for sale. If 8pm – 8:15pm is our final timeslot for sale, last entry will be 8:15pm. The trail itself closes at 90 minutes after last entry. The exact times for your day of visit will be emailed to you 2 days beforehand

We have specific dog-friendly dates when you’re welcome to bring your dog along. Just look for the dog symbol on the calendar.

For 2026, dogs are allowed on:

• Wednesday 9th December
• Thursday 10th December
• Every Monday and Thursday we’re open after these dates (excluding Christmas Eve)
• Sunday 27th December

These are the only dates when dogs are permitted at Luminate. On all other dates, dogs are not allowed.

To help make sure everyone has a great time, please follow these simple rules:

• Each dog must have a responsible adult supervising them at all times — max two dogs per adult
• Dogs must stay on the marked footpath
• Keep your dog on a short, non-extendable lead
• Never leave your dog unattended
• Dogs showing aggressive behaviour towards people or other dogs won’t be able to continue on the trail

Luminate reserves the right to refuse entry or ask any disruptive or unsafe dogs to leave, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Please also clean up after your dog using the bins provided. 💩

Remember, Luminate is a bright, busy, sensory environment with lights, music, smoke effects, and crowds. If your dog may become distressed or reactive in these conditions, it’s best to leave them at home.

Thank you for being responsible dog owners and helping us keep the experience magical for everyone.

XL Bully Dogs
We do not allow XL Bully dogs or any banned/dangerous breeds at Luminate. Entry will be denied to anyone attempting to bring these breeds on site.

For the safety and enjoyment of all our visitors, dogs are NOT permitted at Luminate*

*with the exception of Guide dogs and assistance dogs
 

We have specific dog-friendly dates when you’re welcome to bring your dog along. Just look for the dog symbol on the calendar.

For 2026, dogs are allowed on:

• Wednesday 9th December
• Thursday 10th December
• Every Monday and Thursday we’re open after these dates (excluding Christmas Eve)
• Sunday 27th December

These are the only dates when dogs are permitted at Luminate. On all other dates, dogs are not allowed.

To help make sure everyone has a great time, please follow these simple rules:

• Each dog must have a responsible adult supervising them at all times — max two dogs per adult
• Dogs must stay on the marked footpath
• Keep your dog on a short, non-extendable lead
• Never leave your dog unattended
• Dogs showing aggressive behaviour towards people or other dogs won’t be able to continue on the trail

Luminate reserves the right to refuse entry or ask any disruptive or unsafe dogs to leave, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Please also clean up after your dog using the bins provided. 💩

Remember, Luminate is a bright, busy, sensory environment with lights, music, smoke effects, and crowds. If your dog may become distressed or reactive in these conditions, it’s best to leave them at home.

Thank you for being responsible dog owners and helping us keep the experience magical for everyone.

XL Bully Dogs
We do not allow XL Bully dogs or any banned/dangerous breeds at Luminate. Entry will be denied to anyone attempting to bring these breeds on site.

Parking is available on site and needs to be booked along with your entry tickets. Parking is £5 per vehicle.

Blue Badge Holders will be parked in the disabled car park area, as close to the pedestrian entrance to the trail as possible. NB - We can not guarantee a blue badge space but will endeavour to park you as close as possible if the separate blue badge car park is full.

Please arrive no more than 15-20 minutes before your start time. However, please note that your timed entry to the trail will be strictly adhered to and we will not be able to admit you to start the trail prior to your booked timeslot.
If you arrive earlier than the first time slot, during the daytime operational hours, you will need a daytime car park ticket in addition to your Luminate parking ticket.

Luminate takes place outdoors, during the winter, after dark. Luminate will go ahead whatever the weather (other than in very exceptional circumstances, if we consider it unsafe to open).

So it will be cold, dark and, on rainy days, wet! Please wrap up warmly & wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for winter weather.

We can offer a group booking rate of 10% off adult tickets, for a block booking of over 20 adults. Fancy something a little different this year for your Office party? We are also happy to arrange larger party bookings and/or can offer (subject to availability) private hire for a session(s) or evening. If you are interested in making a corporate booking with us, please contact us on corporate@luminate.live to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Luminate is suitable for all ages. It is a delightful family experience to be enjoyed equally by young and old alike. A great alternative for date-night, for the romantics amongst us (we are very proud to have had no less than 10 proposals at Luminate now!), or a very different, enchanting evening out with the girls. Also a great alternative to the traditional works' Christmas night out.

For all corporate enquiries - please email corporate@luminate.live

Simply go to Buy Tickets and select your chosen date & time-slot. Ensure that you check the “This is a gift” box and this will enable your gift recipient to change the date/time slot you have selected (at no extra cost). You will receive a booking confirmation email – with a detachable section to hand over to your recipient. Details of how they can transfer their date, will be included on that section.

*Please note, any changes are subject to availability and must be made at least 10 days prior to the booked session. In the unlikely event that we had to cancel Luminate all tickets purchased are fully refundable.

Regrettably we do not have any wheelchairs/mobility scooters available on site to hire.

For those with mobility issues/elderly guests, the trail may be quite challenging. We strongly recommend bringing along your own mobility aids if you have any concerns as to whether a member of your party will be able to complete the trail.

Please note that there are some inclines/declines and certain sections of the trail which proceed along gravel/chipping path, which may be difficult for those using mobility aids. The trail has been created to be as accessible as possible within the context of the natural site of Ashton Country Park. All of the route is outside and not under cover. Whilst care has been taken to remove all known trip hazards, the trail does take place in a country park, so may have stones/leaves/twigs etc, across the path and unavoidable cables which cross the path will have ramp covers over them. There are three sections that proceed down steps, but our stewards are on hand to show you the step free route. If you need any help on the night, please just ask a member of our friendly team.

Please note that the car park (including disabled parking) is located approximately 300m away from the start and end point of the trail and that the trail itself is circa 1.6km long. 

All of the route is outside and not under cover and it is all on woodland paths, which will be muddy and uneven in places

We have dedicated time slots on select dates for guests with additional sensory needs. These sessions are designed to offer a calmer, more relaxed experience.

Our Sensory Night for 2026 is:

Tuesday 8th December at 4.30pm - 5.30pm – CLICK HERE

You can expect:

1. Reduced capacity on the trail

2. Lower audio volume

3. A less crowded, more relaxed atmosphere

We received an overwhelmingly positive response from visitors who attended last year, including those with sensory needs, and we hope these quieter sessions make your experience even better.

Our stewards are always on hand to help make your night perfect. If you need any additional support, just ask a member of the team. All staff are trained to recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol if anyone in your group chooses to wear it.

For more detailed accessibility information, please see our Access section above. While we don’t share too many trail details in advance (to keep the magic alive!), we fully understand that some guests may benefit from knowing more beforehand. If you'd like extra information about the layout or what to expect, please email sensory@luminate.live and we’ll be happy to help.

Ticket prices for sensory sessions remain the same as our standard nights. Carer tickets are available in line with our usual policy.

We can’t wait to welcome you. 😊

Father Christmas won't be at Luminate he is far too busy at this time of year making presents! But we can promise a unique and enchanting festive experience for the whole family to enjoy!

Get ready for a magical evening!

Luminate is suitable for all ages. It is a delightful family experience to be enjoyed equally by young and old alike. A great alternative for date-night, for the romantics amongst us (we are very proud to have had no less than 10 proposals at Luminate now!), or a very different, enchanting evening out with the girls. Also a great alternative to the traditional works' Christmas night out.

Get ready to indulge in some tasty festive treats and drinks during your visit! We'll share more details soon, but you can count on hot chocolate, tea, coffee, mulled wine, and marshmallows by the fire pit. Feel free to bring your own marshmallows, just remember the skewers!

🚫 No outside alcohol allowed—anyone caught with it will be asked to leave, no refunds.

To keep everyone safe and having fun , please stick to the marked trail throughout your visit. Children and vulnerable adults should always have a watchful eye on them. Luminate happens in the winter evenings at a country estate, and areas off the trail might have hidden trip hazards. So, let's keep to the path and follow any advice from our friendly stewards.

Be aware that there are unfenced water areas off the trail at Luminate Ashton Court, so extra supervision for children and vulnerable adults is important.

Our team will keep an eye on trail conditions, but remember, it's a winter evening event in the great outdoors. A little extra caution will go a long way, especially when supervising kids and vulnerable adults.

Enjoy our interactive light installations—they're there for you to play with! These will be clearly marked, and our helpful stewards will be nearby to guide you. For safety and an enjoyable experience, please avoid touching other light or electrical setups, and keep an eye on the little ones.

There is a path all the way around, marked by festoon lighting throughout the duration. So just follow the festoon!

There will be pulsating and flashing light effects across all sections of our light trails (with additional haze/smoke effects at various points). Certain sections of the trail may be unsuitable for those with balance disorders.

If you have any concerns or require any further assistance in advance of your visit, please contact us on sensory@luminate.live and we will endeavour to help.

If you have left anything behind/lost anything whilst visiting us at Luminate, please email our team on info@luminate.live with full details of the night and timeslot you attended and what you have lost and we will do our best to help you.

There are toilets located at the entrance/exit to the trail and approximately half way around the trail.

In many areas the lighting will be low level as part of the experience. We do encourage visitors to bring along a torch in case of an emergency but would ask, for your own enjoyment, to only use this if necessary. Please ensure that children and vulnerable adults are supervised at all times.

All of the trail is outside and is not under-cover. All visitors are reminded that this is an outdoor event, taking place in the winter and the weather may well be inclement. Please wrap up warm and wear appropriate outdoor winter clothing and appropriate footwear.

For your own safety and enjoyment, please at all times remain on the clearly marked trail. Follow the festoon!

We encourage you to take photographs and to share these on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #luminate.

Luminate is working with a number of local charities this year. For any further Registered Charity enquiries, please email charity@luminate.live

No. We can not issue any refunds for visitors who are disinclined to come due to inclement weather, or for any other reason. We understand that circumstances do change and changes to your booking, can be made more than 48 hours prior to your booking date, subject to availability. Click HERE. Changes within 48 hours or less of your booking are not permitted. All tickets are non-refundable. Please see our terms and conditions and cancellation policy, which all bookings are made pursuant to.
Please wrap up warm and wear appropriate winter clothing and footwear.

Please arrive in time for your fixed entry slot. All trail entry slots have a fixed maximum capacity, and on many busy nights the subsequent timeslots (or indeed the entire night) may well be at capacity. In which case regrettably we will be unable to transfer your ticket to a different time slot.

Please Note: All tickets are strictly non-transferrable and can not be used at a different time/on a different day.

Please note that there are some inclines/declines and certain sections of the trail which proceed along gravel/chipping path, which may be difficult for those using mobility aids. The trail has been created to be as accessible as possible within the context of the natural site of Ashton Country Park. All of the route is outside and not under cover. Whilst care has been taken to remove all known trip hazards, the trail does take place in a country park, so may have stones/leaves/twigs etc, across the path and unavoidable cables which cross the path will have ramp covers over them. There are three sections that proceed down steps, but our stewards are on hand to show you the step free route. If you need any help on the night, please just ask a member of our friendly team.

Please note that the car park (including disabled parking) is located approximately 300m away from the start and end point of the trail and that the trail itself is circa 1.6km long. 

For those with mobility issues/elderly guests, the trail may be quite challenging. We strongly recommend bringing along your own mobility aids if you have any concerns as to whether a member of your party will be able to complete the trail.

Regrettably, we do not have any wheelchairs/mobility scooters available on site to hire.

Please visit our help centre for more info.

Simply go to Buy Tickets and select your chosen date & time-slot. Ensure that you check the “This is a gift” box and this will enable your gift recipient to change the date/time slot you have selected (at no extra cost). You will receive a booking confirmation email – with a detachable section to hand over to your recipient. Details of how they can transfer their date, will be included on that section.

*Please note, any changes are subject to availability and must be made at least 10 days prior to the booked session. In the unlikely event that we had to cancel Luminate all tickets purchased are fully refundable.

All tickets must be pre-booked online in advance through our website.

Please - CLICK HERE for tickets.

Please remember tickets are only available directly through our website, and a limited number available through lovetovisit.com. We do not sell through any other 3rd party websites.

A family ticket covers 2 adults and up to 2 kids aged 3 to 15. Little ones aged 2 and under can join the fun for free, no ticket needed! Just make sure to buy all 4 tickets at once to grab the family ticket deal. Please note, once purchased, family tickets can't be split.

To make changes to your booking, including switching venues, just follow the steps HERE. Changes are subject to availability. We’re sorry, but we can’t modify bookings within 48 hours of the original date. If the new option costs more, you'll need to cover the difference before we can confirm the change. If your preferred choice is full, you can pick another date, timeslot, or venue, or stick with your current booking. Please note that refunds aren’t available.

We are very happy, subject to availability, to help to facilitate changes to your booking. Any such changes must be requested/made more than 48 hours before you are booked to attend. To make any changes please follow the steps HERE.
We regret that we are unable to make changes to any bookings within 48 hours or less of the original booking date. Please note if the new time/date/venue that you are transferring to is more expensive than the original booking, the additional charges must be paid before the booking can be changed.

Regrettably if the new venue/time slot/date desired is full we are unable to make the transfer. You will either need to select a different date/timeslot or venue or retain your original booking. Refunds are not available.

Please don't worry, if you have already booked and not received your confirmation email or have forgotten any of the details of your booking; date, time, numbers booked for, etc, please fill in your details below and you will be sent a reminder email with the details of your original booking (please ensure that you check your email junk/spam folder for the email).
 

Once you have booked, you will receive an automated email (to the email address you submitted during the booking process please remember to check your email junk/spam folder for this) confirming the details of your booking. At the time of booking and on the email confirmation you will see an Order/Booking Number, please make a note (take a screen shot) of your Order Number, so you can show it on arrival.

You do not need to print or show your email confirmation on arrival - we will be able to admit you using your Order/Booking Number and/or the full name of the lead booking person.

Please ensure that you arrive with your Order/Booking Number readily available or that you are aware of the FULL NAME OF THE LEAD BOOKING PERSON.

Yes, you can add ticket protection during the checkout process. It gives you extra cover in case you need to cancel for an eligible reason, and the full details will be shown when you select the option while booking. You can see the full terms and conditions here.

Yes. You must book in advance. We recommend that you book early as each timed entry slot has a fixed capacity and popular slots, early evening , weekend and closer to Christmas are likely to sell out quickly.
CLICK HERE to BUY TICKETS and avoid disappointment.

No. Tickets can only be purchased in advance online through our website.
CLICK HERE to buy tickets

If you have booked multiple tickets, and members of your party will be arriving separately, we will be able to check-in your party in separate smaller groups, provided all smaller groups have the lead booking name or booking Order number available to give in at the Entrance.

Carers can join the fun at Luminate for free! 😊 Each adult or child ticket allows one carer to come along at no extra cost. No need to buy a separate ticket for your carer. Once you have booked for the rest of your party please send the order number to info@j9events.co.uk along with proof of eligibility from the list below. We will then add the carer pass to your order. Please skip purchasing a standard ticket for your carer, as these can't be refunded.

You must:

1) Have at least one full paying child/ adult in the group

2) Provide proof of eligibility (from the list below) in advance of your visit

3) Without the correct Carer ID you will be required to pay for a standard entry ticket



THE FOLLOWING ARE ACCEPTED:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Blind Persons Registration
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
• CredAbility's Access Card with +1 symbol
• HYNT card
• CEA Card
• Nimbus Card with +1
• Transport for Wales bus pass with +1

Unfortunately, we cannot accept blue/orange badges, HANDS cards, carers passport etc.
For further clarification with regards to our carer policy, please contact carer@luminate.live.

No. Unfortunately once we reach capacity for a timeslot or an entire night, that timeslot/night becomes sold out and we can not issue further tickets. Visitor numbers and capacity per timeslots are carefully managed to ensure that the enjoyment and health and safety of all of our visitors and staff are protected (particularly in light of the current situation with Covid-19). We do anticipate that a number of dates and time-slots will sell-out completely. We strongly recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. If you wish to attend at the same time as family members or friends we strongly recommend that you purchase all tickets under one booking so that you can ensure there are sufficient available tickets for your party on your preferred date/time slot, before any tickets have been purchased.

No. Unfortunately, we do not have a waiting list facility. If the Event is sold out, we can not issue further tickets. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Unfortunately once we reach capacity for a timeslot or an entire night, that timeslot/night becomes sold out and we can not issue further tickets. You will need to select a different timeslot/night for your booking.

For general technical help with how to make a purchase online, please contact abilitynet.org.uk - a UK wide charity.
For any other general or ticketing enquiries please contact info@luminate.live.

Regrettably we do not have any wheelchairs/mobility scooters available on site to hire.

For those with mobility issues/elderly guests, the trail may be quite challenging. We strongly recommend bringing along your own mobility aids if you have any concerns as to whether a member of your party will be able to complete the trail.

Please note that there are some inclines/declines and certain sections of the trail which proceed along gravel/chipping path, which may be difficult for those using mobility aids. The trail has been created to be as accessible as possible within the context of the natural site of Ashton Country Park. All of the route is outside and not under cover. Whilst care has been taken to remove all known trip hazards, the trail does take place in a country park, so may have stones/leaves/twigs etc, across the path and unavoidable cables which cross the path will have ramp covers over them. There are three sections that proceed down steps, but our stewards are on hand to show you the step free route. If you need any help on the night, please just ask a member of our friendly team.

Please note that the car park (including disabled parking) is located approximately 300m away from the start and end point of the trail and that the trail itself is circa 1.6km long. 

All of the route is outside and not under cover and it is all on woodland paths, which will be muddy and uneven in places

We have dedicated time slots on select dates for our guests with additional sensory needs. These sessions are designed to offer a calmer, more relaxed experience.

Our sensory-friendly night for 2026 is:

Tuesday 8th December – 4.30pm - 5.30pm time slots

You can expect:

1. Reduced capacity on the trail

2. Lower audio volume

3. A less crowded, more relaxed atmosphere

We received an overwhelmingly positive response from visitors who attended last year, including those with sensory needs, and we hope these quieter sessions make your experience even better.

All of our stewards are here to help make your night with us perfect. If you need any additional support, just speak to a member of the team. All staff are trained to recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol if anyone in your group chooses to wear it.

For more detailed accessibility information, please refer to our Access section above. While we don’t reveal too many trail details in advance (to keep the magic alive!), we completely understand that some guests may prefer more information before attending. If you'd like extra details about the layout or what to expect, please email sensory@luminate.live and we’ll be happy to help.

Ticket prices for these sessions remain the same as our standard nights, and carer tickets are available in line with our usual policy.

We can’t wait to welcome you. 😊

There will be pulsating and flashing light effects across all sections of our light trails (with additional haze/smoke effects at various points). Certain sections of the trail may be unsuitable for those with balance disorders.

If you have any concerns or require any further assistance in advance of your visit, please contact us on sensory@luminate.live and we will endeavour to help.

Blue Badge Holders will be parked in the disabled car park area, as close to the pedestrian entrance to the trail as possible. NB - We can not guarantee a blue badge space but will endeavour to park you as close as possible if the separate blue badge car park is full.

Carers can join the fun at Luminate for free! 😊 Each adult or child ticket allows one carer to come along at no extra cost. No need to buy a separate ticket for your carer. Once you have booked for the rest of your party please send the order number to info@j9events.co.uk along with proof of eligibility from the list below. We will then add the carer pass to your order. Please skip purchasing a standard ticket for your carer, as these can't be refunded.

You must:

1) Have at least one full paying child/ adult in the group

2) Provide proof of eligibility (from the list below) in advance of your visit

3) Without the correct Carer ID you will be required to pay for a standard entry ticket



THE FOLLOWING ARE ACCEPTED:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Blind Persons Registration
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
• CredAbility's Access Card with +1 symbol
• HYNT card
• CEA Card
• Nimbus Card with +1
• Transport for Wales bus pass with +1

Unfortunately, we cannot accept blue/orange badges, HANDS cards, carers passport etc.
For further clarification with regards to our carer policy, please contact carer@luminate.live.