Frequently Asked

Questions about HighLight?
Here are the answers to our most commonly asked queries, including accessibility.

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What is highlight: carnival of lights?

HighLight: Carnival of Lights is a low cost public event that transforms Upper Hutt into a wonderland of brilliant light installations and live performances over Easter weekend.

Each year, we partner with a local charity to help them raise awareness and funds. This year we have partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities with $1 from every ticket sold being donated to them.

This is a uniquely Wellington region event which provides a creative laboratory for performers, artists and technicians to innovate and grow and is proudly brought to you by Late Night Lights with the help of our partners and sponsors.

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When is the carnival?

Highlight is an annual event held at Brewtown and throughout Upper Hutt CBD over Easter Weekend. 

Dates: 29-31 March, Easter 2024

Timing:

  • 6:30pm Gates open
  • 7pm Lights on
  • 10pm Lights turned off/event finishes
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HOW DO I GET TICKETS?

Tickets can be purchased from any of the following 3 places:

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WHERE IS HIGHLIGHT?

Brewtown is where the bulk of the action will be, as our Carnival Hub, but you’ll also find HighLight installations throughout the Upper Hutt CBD.

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HOW CAN I DONATE TO Ronald Mcdonald house charities?

We won’t have donation buckets onsite this year. $1 from every ticket sold will go to RMHC, and during the ticket purchase process you can add in an extra donation.

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    Do I need to bring cash?

    That’s up to you! 
    Our charity partner will recieve $1 from every ticket sold AND you’ll have the option to support them even further by donating above and beyond during your ticket purchase process.

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    IS IT SAFE FOR MY KIDS TO RUN AROUND ON THEIR OWN?

    We’ve taken every precaution in the preparation of HighLight to ensure a safe event for all.  However, we remind parents and caregivers that you do need to supervise your children at all times.

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    IS THIS EVENT WASTE FREE?

    In 2023, we diverted 71% of the event waste away from landfill.

    All food and beverage packaging purchased onsite will be either compostable or recyclable. To support our effort to minimise event waste we ask that you consider this when bringing food or refreshments purchased offsite to HighLight.

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    WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?

    Short of a serious storm, HighLight is an all-weather event. Be prepared, wear appropriate clothes and footwear.

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      WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY KIDS, OR FIND A LOST CHILD?

      Please report lost/found children to the nearest event staff. We ask that you keep a lost child as close to where you found them. In our experience, 90% of lost children are found when parents retrace their steps.

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        CAN I BRING MY DOG?

        We love dogs, but on this occasion please leave them at home. It’s extremely loud, it’s busy so they might accidentally bumped in to and this isn’t fair to dogs. Keep your dog safe at home, please don’t bring them to HighLight.

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          WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF ENTRY?

          For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all patrons, HighLight event management reserve the right to remove or refuse entry to any patrons, without refund. Click here to read the full policy.

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            WILL MY PHOTOGRAPH BE USED?

            Photographs and/or video will be taken at HighLight.

            By purchasing tickets, you grant the event organisers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications.
            If you do not wish to be photographed please inform the photographer.

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              Can I leave the event site and come back in?

              Sorry, no. If you want to visit the breweries or enjoy Brewtown’s other offerings, please do this before or after you enjoy HighLight as there are no pass outs.

              If for any reason you do need a pass out, please email us prior to arrival.

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                WILL THERE BE AN AREA FOR LOST AND FOUND ITEMS?

                If you find an item please hand it to the nearest event crew member.

                If you have lost an item, please email us and one of the team will be in touch.

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                WHY ARE YOU CHARGING WHEN IT WAS A FREE EVENT BEFORE?

                HighLight: Carnival of Lights is now an independent charitable trust. We are keeping this event accessible by keeping tickets low and children free. This ticket cost helps us cover costs to bring this amazing event to the community.

                Accessibility

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                How accessible is the event?

                We aim to make HighLight as accessible as possible. This year, we pulling in extra knowledge to help make this happen. 

                As you know, HighLight: Carnival of Lights is a much-anticipated community event that we are committed to delivering year after year.

                In 2023, we have faced some unexpected challenges that made it difficult for everyone to fully enjoy the experience.

                Despite our best efforts to make the layout accessible to everyone, the ground conditions proved to be much harder to overcome. We acknowledge that the uneven and muddy terrain caused difficulties for those with prams, wheelchairs, walking sticks, and other mobility aids.

                As a new charitable trust, the HighLight team remains committed to continuous improvement for accessibility of the Carnival.

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                HOW EASY IS IT TO MOVE AROUND THE EVENT SITE?

                HighLight is suitable for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Though as the site is mainly on grass there may be areas that prove tricky due to uneven surfaces. We recommended having assistance for areas which may prove difficult.

                For 2024, we are installing a pathway to get to every installation. We’ve aimed for a width of two wheelchairs under a one-way system. 

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                WHERE IS MOBILITY PARKING?

                Mobility Parking is through the main gate to Brewtown on your right. The road into Brewtown will be closed, so you will need to show your mobility pass to traffic management.

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                CAN I BRING MY REGISTERED ASSISTANCE DOG?

                While we are encouraging people to leave their dogs at home, we understand that this isn’t always possible. Registered assistance dogs are welcome to enjoy HighLight with you. We’d just like to remind you that there will be lots of noise and lights in case the noise startles your dog.

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                IS THERE ANY STROBE LIGHTING?

                There will be warnings on the approaching paths and it may be possible to bypass completely. 

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                WHERE ARE THE ACCESSIBLE TOILETS?

                There is only one toilet block onsite and there will be an accessible toilet there.

                Still Have Questions? Get In Touch!

                If you have any further questions, please feel free to email us.