The theme for 2025 will celebrate Cumberland's maritime history and heritage.

The sparkling event will start at 6.30pm and will be the 36th Fireshow event 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.

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.

Additionally, Taste Cumbria will be bringing its food and drink festival to the Cathedral grounds, in the heart of Carlisle, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November. The event will include food and drink traders, live music on the festival stage, hot food stalls, children’s activities and face painting, street theatre and fire-themed entertainment. Stalls will be open between 10am and 5pm on the Saturday and between 11am and 4pm on the Sunday.

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.

Carlisle Fireshow is a family event, and no alcohol will be permitted on site or within the Fireshow Village in Castle Car Park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park).

The overall events programme has been supported by the UK Government using UKSPF funding.

Parking / Access information & Safety Advice

Cumberland Council car parks are available for use throughout the day. Customers are further reminded to read the car park information boards or visit www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking for further information.

Barrier controlled car parks (West Walls and Caldew Riverside) - Car park closures will be suspended on the evening of Saturday 1 November; all car parks will remain open for the Fireshow.

The following temporary traffic arrangements will apply throughout the day (Saturday 1 November):
No vehicle access to Bitts Park.
No vehicle access to Dacre Road (adjacent to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park).
Parking for Blue Badge holders will be available at Castle Car Park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park). This will be available on a first come, first served basis with the last entry at 5.45pm. Vehicles parked within this car park will not be able to leave until 8.30pm.
No parking in Bitts Park car park.
No vehicle access to Bitts Park from Willowholme or The Sheepmount.
The skate park will be closed on the day of the event.

Access

A special viewing area for people with disabilities including wheelchair users will be set aside on the Sheepmount Road. Up to two carers allowed on the viewing area per individual.

After the event has ended, those wanting to walk to the west of the city will be filtered to the right of Devonshire Walk (towards Caldewgate and the pedestrian crossing opposite the former Globe public house) and those wanting to walk into the city centre will be filtered to the left and will then be able access Castle Street across Castle Way (between the barriers opposite the Castle).

Safety

Visitors are asked to note that by the very nature of the event, smoke, noise, embers and mud underfoot, are inevitable. All are requested to be mindful of the risks and to come prepared for such eventualities: warm clothing and suitable footwear. For safety reasons, no fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) are allowed into this event. Pets are also prohibited from the park: they should be kept safely at home to avoid any possible distress. The sale of glow sticks and other fluorescent items should only be purchased from official sales staff.

Images: ©Stuart Walker Photography