Sheffield Autumn Lights 2025 – Your Complete Guide

On Wednesday 5th November 2025, the Autumn Lights festival rolls into the Don Valley Bowl (S9 2DF) for a one-night-only firework and entertainment extravaganza, and it couldn’t be better timed — Bonfire Night itself. 

This isn’t your usual “couple of rockets and a burger van” kind of affair. Think big: two pyromusical firework displays, a packed line-up of live acts, and enough food and drink to fuel a small army. If you want the full picture, here’s everything you need to know.

What to expect on the night

From the moment the gates open at 3pm, Don Valley Bowl turns into a festival ground. Street food, funfair rides and bars kick things off, and the entertainment line-up builds steadily through the afternoon.

Children get their share early on with costumed characters wandering the funfair, before things heat up with flame-throwing performers (La Flamo) and the brilliant Spark! LED drummers. A Young Elton tribute act brings singalong classics as the sun goes down, and kids get their very own firework and SFX show at 7:40pm — loud enough to thrill, short enough to get them home before bedtime if needed.

Then comes the evening’s gear change. Comedy legends Dick & Dom take the stage at 8pm with their unique brand of family-friendly chaos. From there, it’s straight into the serious stuff: a grand firework finale at 9:15pm, set to music and loaded with special effects.

The fireworks – twice as nice

Unlike most Bonfire Night events, Sheffield Autumn Lights gives you two firework displays:

• The children’s display at 7:40pm — shorter, softer and earlier.

• The main event at 9:15pm — the full pyromusical spectacular.

Both shows are viewable from across the Bowl, with hardstanding areas available so you’re not trudging through mud to get a decent view. Just remember: this is a proper professional display. The fireworks will be loud, so if you’ve got little ones, bring ear defenders (or pick some up on-site).

Food, drink and festival extras

The organisers have clearly decided nobody should go hungry. You’ll find everything from burgers and curries to churros and hot chocolate, plus two fully stocked bars run by Mobile Event Container Bars. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks and soft drinks, but alcohol is strictly out and no glass is allowed anywhere on site.

The roaming glow performers add to the carnival feel, and the funfair gives kids (and big kids) something to do between acts. All told, it’s far more of an evening out than just a fireworks show.

Getting to Don Valley Bowl

Here’s the bit to plan carefully: there’s no parking at Don Valley Bowl itself. Instead, you’ve got two main options:

• Public transport: Sheffield has good tram and bus links. The Bowl is walkable from Arena/Olympic Legacy Park tram stop.

• Nearby parking: Spaces are available at Sheffield Arena. You’ll need to pre-book via the official site (one ticket per car).

Don’t chance rocking up without a plan, unless you enjoy the thrill of circling Sheffield on a Wednesday night looking for a space.

Tickets and entry

As with all Autumn Lights events, it’s cheaper to book ahead:

• Online: £14.99 adults / £7.99 children (4–16) + booking fee

• On the gate (if available): £20 adults / £10 children

• Under 3s: Free

The gates open at 3pm and close at 8:30pm — just before the finale kicks off. Don’t leave it too late or you’ll miss most of the build-up.

Top tips for Sheffield Autumn Lights

A few pointers to help you get the most out of the evening:

• Arrive early if you can: the food queues build fast, and the site has plenty to see before the main stage acts start.

• Sort transport in advance: with no on-site parking, pre-book your Arena space or plan your tram route.

• Pick your viewing spot: the Bowl is a big venue — find a spot 15–20 minutes before each display to avoid craning over shoulders.

• Layer up: November evenings in Sheffield can cut through you quicker than a blunt northern wind.

FAQs

What time do the fireworks start?

The children’s firework and SFX show is at 7:40pm, with the grand finale at 9:15pm.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes, you can bring snacks and soft drinks, but no alcohol and no glass. There are plenty of food stalls and bars on site too.

Is there parking at Don Valley Bowl?

No. You’ll need to use public transport or pre-book parking at Sheffield Arena.

Are the fireworks suitable for children?

Yes, there’s an earlier children’s display at 7:40pm. The main display is louder and longer — ear defenders are recommended for little ones.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

It’s strongly advised. Online tickets are cheaper and guarantee entry. Gate tickets are more expensive and limited.

Why Sheffield Autumn Lights is worth it

Bonfire Night always brings plenty of options, but few match the scale of this. Sheffield Autumn Lights blends live entertainment with two professional pyromusical displays, a festival atmosphere and a central city location. For less than the price of a takeaway curry, you get an evening’s worth of entertainment and a firework finale designed to stick in the memory.

Fancy Some Fireworks of Your Own?

Well, lucky you. Because here at Epic Fireworks, we stock the UK’s biggest and best range of consumer fireworks—everything from mega rockets to garden-friendly fountains. Whether you’re planning a back garden bonanza or a full-blown party with all the pyro, we’ve got you covered.

Even better, our ready-made DIY display packs take all the guesswork out of planning. Just light the fuse, step back, and take the glory.

Browse our display packs now – and make your next celebration go off with a bang.

Looking for More Firework Events To Add To Your Diary This Year?

We’ve rounded up the biggest and best UK firework events happening throughout 2025. Bookmark our guide here: 2025 UK Firework Event Dates for Your Diary

Whether you're after traditional Bonfire Night spectaculars or exhilarating pyromusicals, we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to.