FAQs

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The gates into the Park will be particularly busy in the hour before these times so we strongly advise that you allow plenty of time before this to get onto the Festival site and find a good spot to enjoy the display.

After the fireworks display the exits and local transport are typically busy. So we recommend people stay around and enjoy all the fun on offer at the Festival.

What time do the gates open?

The Festival running times are 6pm – 10.30pm on Friday 1 November and 4pm – 10.30pm on Saturday 2 November. Last entry is 9.05pm on Friday and 8.05pm on Saturday. Our StrEATFood Village and German Bier Festival will be open from these times, serving a range of food and drinks.

What time are the Fireworks on?

The fireworks display will start at 9pm on Friday 1 November and 8pm on Saturday 2 November.

The gates into the Park will be particularly busy in the hour before these times so we strongly advise that you allow plenty of time before this to get onto the Festival site and find a good spot to enjoy the display. Arriving a little earlier also means you can make the most of all the other entertainment across the Festival site, from funfairs and family entertainment, to the street food and craft beer village!

After the fireworks display the exits and local transport will be busy so we recommend people stay around and enjoy all the fun on offer at the Festival.

What is a drone show?

This year, we’re taking our fireworks display to the next level by adding in a spectacular drone show that will take place as the start of the display. The drone show is included with your Fireworks Entry ticket.

Please note that the drone show is at risk of cancellation in poor weather conditions. Cancelling this display will not result in a full or partial refund of any of your event tickets.

What time is last entry?

Last entry is 9.05pm on Friday and 8.05pm on Saturday. Last entry into the German Bier Festival is 10pm on both nights.

Is this an outdoors event?

This is an outside event, on a hill, with attractions across the whole Park. The event is extremely popular, with a proper festival feel, so please consider this as you plan your visit. We recommend you wear warm and waterproof clothing and sensible shoes. With wet weather scheduled throughout the week, expect grass areas of the Park to be wet under foot.

If you book to go ice skating you will be inside for about an hour. We suggest you arrive 15 minutes before your session.

If you book to go to the German Bier Festival then you will be inside and have the outdoor Terrace viewing platform to watch the fireworks display.

Why is the terrace closed?

The Terrace is closed to help with crowd congestion in and around the building and reserved for those attending the Bier Festival. You can view the fireworks display from the road in front of the Palace. We suggest those with young families or push chairs watch the display in the lower field area, which typically has more room.

Are there toilets on-site?

Toilets will be available across the site.

I’m bringing a push chair…

Please be aware that the event is set across 196 acres of undulating parkland. If wet weather is forecast, the grass areas of the Park will be wet under foot. Entrances and exits will be busy at peak times. Please factor this into your planning.

Our neighbours

Alexandra Palace is surrounded by residential housing. Please respect our neighbours by leaving quietly and taking your litter home with you. Thank you.

Information regarding road, park and car park closures to facilitate the event can be read here.

How do I get my tickets?

Our official ticket partners are DICE and Ticketweb.

It’s really important that you download the DICE app and activate your tickets before you get to Alexandra Palace as you will have very limited phone signal and internet access on site.

We’ll notify you when you can activate your ticket(s). Once activated, tickets won’t be transferable anymore, so transfer tickets to friends and family before activating them if you need to. If you have multiple tickets activated on one device, you will need to arrive and get scanned in together.

As long as you have activated your tickets once with WIFI ahead of the event, you will be able to view and show them to be scanned.

Ticketweb e-tickets will be sent out via email 7 days in advance of the event. Please ensure you have them open on your phone when you arrive at the gate.

Want to send a ticket to a friend or family member?

If you are attending with a group and planning to arrive at different times, then please transfer your tickets way ahead of time. The deadline for this is 2pm on the day of the event. 

Find out how to send a ticket to a friend here.

Just a note that you won’t be able to send any more tickets once you have activated your QR code on the day of the event.

Please get in touch via dice.fm/contact if you have any questions. 

Ticketweb e-tickets can be forwarded to friends/family via email.

Essential companion tickets

If you wish to purchase a ticket plus an essential companion ticket, head to the Access section of our website. Please note accessible tickets can only be purchased via DICE.

I can no longer make the event

All ticket purchases are final and this event is taking place rain or shine. DICE does have a Waiting List feature which gets activated when a ticket type sells out. 

You can check if the Waiting List is enabled for your ticket by opening the app and tapping the ticket icon at the bottom of the screen. 

If this isn’t enabled for your ticket yet then maybe you can find a friend or family member who would like to take this off you and you can simply send them the ticket via the app. 

Please get in touch via dice.fm/contact if you have any questions. 

Please note, refunds are not available via Ticketweb.

How old is an adult?

Adult tickets are required for those aged 16 years and over. Child tickets are required for those between 11 – 15 years and 0 – 10 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 and above. ID may be required for adults. Please note that we operate a Challenge 25 policy on all of our bars.

I’m having trouble selecting my preferred tickets

Please ensure you’ve updated to the latest version of the DICE app, book on web or contact the DICE help centre.

Note that ice skating and accessible tickets are not available for purchase through Ticketweb.

Can I buy a Bier Festival, Ice Skating or Child ticket on its own?

No these tickets are add-ons and require an adult entry ticket attached to them.

Of course! We have a host of family entertainment on offer, particularly in the lower field. Our Fireworks has a festival feel, with areas around the Palace, such as the slope and South Terrace getting very busy, particularly for the display, so please consider whether this is suitable for you and your little ones. As November is a colder month we also remind all visitors to wrap up warm too!

Browse our family activities.

The event will be hosted across our 196 acres, both in the Park and the Palace. We are spreading the event over two nights this year, with reduced capacity on each night compared to previous years, so that visitors have more space to explore the festival site. Please be advised that the event still has a full-on festival feel and entrances and exits will be busy at peak times.

Why can’t I get into the Bier festival?

The Bier Festival is a separate, ticketed event. You have to buy a Fireworks Entry ticket and a German Bier Festival ticket in order to access this space. Please note the German Bier Festival is for over 18s only.

How do I get into the German Bier Festival?

You have to buy a Fireworks Entry ticket and a German Bier Festival ticket to be able to access the Bier Festival. The Bier Festival entrance is via the Palace’s Palm Court entrance.

What time does the Bier Festival end?

The Bier Festival ends at 10.30pm so plenty of time for you to party!

What are the age restrictions?

The German Bier Festival is strictly an over 18s event. The bars operate a Challenge 25 policy.

Can I bring food or drink to the event?

No food or drinks (with the exception of small, sealed shop bought water bottles) will be allowed onto the site. If you need to bring food or drink with you for medical reasons, we ask that you contact our team in advance at visitor.services@alexandrapalace.com

Can I bring sparklers into the festival?

No sparklers or fireworks are allowed into the site.

Can I bring my dog?

No animals or pets are allowed into the festival area, except for registered assistance animals.

What can’t I bring with me?

The following items will not be permitted on-site:

Alcohol / Illegal substances / anything that could reasonably considered for use as a weapon / Nitrous Oxide and legal highs / Food or drink (see above for exceptions) / Excessive quantities of cigarettes (ie more than for personal consumption) / Glass of any kind, including perfume and cologne bottles, beer bottles, jars or drinking vessels / Portable laser equipment and pens / Megaphones / Sound systems / Air horns / Spray cans / Fireworks / Sparklers / Flares / Animals (with the exception of assistance dogs) / Unofficial tabards or hi vis jackets / Professional camera or video equipment / Bicycles / drones and UAVs / Camping equipment / Picnic umbrellas / Gazebos / Flags / Chairs.

Head to the Access section of our website.

General advice

Please note that the Fireworks Festival takes place on the grounds of Alexandra Palace and this will require navigating hills and steep terrain. Furthermore, the weather can cause certain areas to become more challenging to navigate due to wet and slippery surfaces. The event has a festival feel, so consider this as you plan your visit. Please take care and be mindful of this when navigating the park.

What size skates do you have?

Skate sizes available: UK child size 6 – 13.5, UK Adult size 1 – 14.

Will there be flashing lights?

We have strobe effects and bright flashing lights on our disco sessions only. Please note our ice discos are not suitable for people with epilepsy. Our ice skating sessions do not use lighting effects and are safe to attend for people that have epilepsy.

Do you have skate aids?

Yes, skate aids are available to purchase on the door subject to availability. We advise that these are used by children or adults who are nervous or inexperienced only. Please note they will be unavailable to purchase for the ice disco sessions.

What time should I arrive for my ice skating session?

Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of your session. If you arrive late for your session we will not be able to transfer your ticket to another session.

How long is an ice skating session?

Sessions last one hour. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of your session start time.

I have a general enquiry, who do I contact?

Please email visitor.services@alexandrapalace.com

I’m from the Press, who do I contact?

Please email press@alexandrapalace.com

I would like to enquire about Partnership or Sponsorship, who do I contact?

Please email partnerships@alexandrapalace.com

The Festival is monitored by CCTV and there will be a security and police presence throughout. All bags will be searched on entry to the Festival, so please avoid bringing them if possible.

Yes, click here to view them.

As with most firework displays, ours can be noisy and goes off with a bang. If you, your children or anyone in your party are sensitive to this, the display may not be suitable.

Read our information about changes to the Park, Palace and road.