Preparations are underway for this year’s Cumberland Council Fireshow - set to take place in Bitts Park, Carlisle on Saturday 31 October.
The centre piece bonfire is now under construction and more than 2,000 spectacular sparkling fireworks, set to music, will also light up the sky.
This year’s Fireshow will celebrate Cumberland's countdown to the Tour de France.
The world's largest annual sporting event attracts millions of spectators along the route and a global television audience. The 2027 Grand Départ will begin in Edinburgh before finishing its opening stage in Carlisle on Friday 2 July. Stage Two will start in Keswick on Saturday 3 July before travelling through the Lake District and Lancashire to Liverpool.
The sparkling Fireshow event will start at 6.30pm and will be the 37th to be held. It is the biggest event in the region expected to attract more than 35,000 spectators. This year’s event is organised in conjunction with Merlin Fireworks Ltd.
There will also be food and family entertainment for those attending the Fireshow in Castle Car Park between 5pm and 8.30pm on the night of the event.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This year’s event is set to be an event not to be missed. As well as a bonfire, there will thousands of fireworks. Themed on our countdown to the Tour de France, there will be a special video showcase included as part of the event.”
Visitors to this year’s Carlisle Fireshow are being asked to dig into the bottom of their pockets and support local charities.
Although the event is free to attend, a charity collection is held each year. All donations go towards the Rotary in Carlisle (which donates most of its fundraising efforts to local good causes), and Every Life Matters, the charity supported by the Chair of Cumberland, Cllr Andy Semple and the Mayor of Carlisle, Anne Glendinning’s chosen charities - Meningitis Now.
Volunteers will be holding charity buckets on the entrance to the event and organisers are asking the Fireshow’s adult spectators to consider giving at least £2 each.
This year’s event programme will include a fairground funfair in Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park) during October half term.
On the day of the Fireshow, there will be no fairground, but there will be food and family entertainment to those attending the Fireshow in Castle Car Park between 5pm and 8.30pm.
Admission to the Fireshow is free.
It is a family event. No alcohol or fireworks will be permitted on site or within the Fireshow Village in Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park).