You’ve got your tickets, now what?

On behalf of the entire team at HighLight: Carnival of Lights, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you for purchasing your tickets to join us at Brewtown this Easter weekend.

We are thrilled to welcome you to an unforgettable experience filled with dazzling lights, captivating entertainment, and delicious treats. Get ready to be immersed in a world of wonder as you explore our spectacular displays.

KEY DETAILS
You’ve secured your spot for an amazing experience. The ticket you purchased is only valid for the night displayed on your ticket.

Event timing:

Gates open: 6:30pm

Food trucks and facepainting will be ready
A family show will also begin around 6.45pm

Lights on and entertainment starts: 7pm

Lights off and event closes: 10pm

Please note that we were onsite on Tuesday 26th at 7pm and whilst the sunset was beautiful, it does mean that lights may not be at full effect until approximately 7:30pm.

GETTING TO HIGHLIGHT

Before you arrive
No-one likes to arrive to an event and realise they’ve left an essential item at home. So to save any meltdowns, here is everything you need to bring:

• Have your ticket on you – either printed or on your phone
• Your wallet to purchase delicious kai
• Cash koha for our wonderful face painters
• Hats, gloves and jackets if it’s a cold evening
• Comfortable footwear
• Camera – you’ll want to take plenty of snaps
• Reusable coffee cup

View this list of things not to bring. If you’re not sure, leave it at home as you won’t get your confiscated items back from security. Here’s some key things to know:

• Leave the dogs at home as they won’t be allowed through the entry gate
• No commercial food and drink may be brought into the event.
• No alcohol, smoking or drugs

Little explorers, big adventures. For a stress-free experience, consider writing your name and phone number on your child’s arm with temporary marker. This way, we can easily reach you if your little adventurer decides to explore.

Entry
The main entrance is via Railway Ave. Signs will point the way to the entry gates.

Parking
There is event parking available at Railway Ave, including a large temporary parking area next to Maidstone Park. Entry to HighLight is just a short walk away via F45 gym.

There are even more carparks at Upper Hutt Station, or throughout the CBD, where you can take in the free light displays on your way to HighLight

Public transport
Buses will replace trains between Wellington and Upper Hutt on Friday, Saturday, Sunday due to major line works.

Once you arrive
We encourage you to enter via Railway Ave and allow plenty of time to get into the Carnival Hub at Brewtown. Gates open at 6:30pm and close at 10pm. Our ticket scanners will get you through as quickly as they can. Make sure you have your tickets ready on your screen or your printouts out when approaching the scanners. All attendees must have a ticket, including children.

If the night is cancelled by us due to severe weather or another circumstance, your ticket will be valid for the following evening. If there isn’t a following show, we can refund you.

EXPLORE HIGHLIGHT
Immerse yourself in illuminating lights, live performances, creativity and community fun. With installations to interact with such as Octopoda and Treegeneration, to have a go performances, there’s plenty to check out.

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

Caution: HighLight may not be suitable for some people. Some lighting is used at this show that may be disruptive to people who are sensitive to light.

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

We’re working with Non-Stop Solutions to take HighLight single-use free. Our food and drink vendors will serve you on reusable serviceware. Once you’ve finished eating, please return your plates and cups to a dirty dish bin onsite. This means less waste going to landfills and being one step closer to becoming a zero-waste event.

Food trucks onsite:

• Dutchy’s
• Chaiwalla
• Super Donut Hero
• Chef Art
• The Mussel Man
• Garuda
• Get Fixed Café
• Roy’s Dumplings
• Candy Cutique

RMHC NZ – Our charity partner 
We’ve partnered with RMHC NZ to raise awareness and funds for their work. They will receive $1 per ticket sold.

RMHC New Zealand supports families when their child is in a New Zealand hospital away from home.

In 2022, RMHC New Zealand provided almost 3,600 families with accommodation and support free of charge at its facilities throughout New Zealand. It was the busiest year since the first New Zealand opening 31 years ago.

The Ronald McDonald House® and Ronald McDonald Family Room® programmes take care of the practical things in life so families can focus on their child staying in a hospital away from home.

This helps to relieve stresses like paying for a place to sleep near the hospital, organising family meals and needing a friendly ear to listen on tough days.

Sponsors and partners
We couldn’t have done it without them. A huge thank you to all our amazing sponsors, funders, and partners for helping Late Night Lights Trust to make HighLight: Carnival of Lights such a unique and memorable event.

• Upper Hutt City Council
• Gillies Group
• Brewtown
  Wilde Signs
• Central Forklift Group
• Low Cost Bins
• New Zealand Community Trust
• Pub Charity
• And our delivery partners

We would also like to thank our dedicated volunteers.

BREWTOWN 
Brewtown is a beer-lovers dream with numerous craft breweries, distilleries and plenty of big-kid activities.

They’re serving up award-winning craft beer and food matches to satisfy any appetite, so come on down. Entry during the day is via the usual gate, with limited day parking near the activities.

We encourage you to check out the amazing businesses located at Brewtown. Hit them up before your visit HighLight, but check with them directly for their opening hours or book in to avoid disappointment.

Special HighLight themed activities include:

• Glow Throw at Sweet Axe Throw
• Fluro-Frenzy at Smash Room, Sweet Axe Throw
• Show your HighLight ticket to the Daytona team for a discount
• Show your ticket to Fresko for a 10% discount on all orders

UPPER HUTT CENTRAL AND WHIRINAKI WHARE TAONGA
There are a few things popping up in Upper Hutt central and at Whirinaki Whare Taonga.

All weekend you’ll find:

• Deep Thought on the corner of Russell and Main Streets
• Shadows located in the exterior window of Whirinaki Whare Taonga
• Stack located inside Whirinaki Whare Taonga (only viewable during their opening hours)

On Friday 29 March, join the Whirinaki team to view Stack and create a free glow in the dark mask for your trip to HighLight.

On Saturday 30 March, 6-8pm, on the corners of Russell and Main Streets, Upper Hutt City Council are creating the ultimate play space. Enjoy hopscotch, giant jenga, agility courses and free face painting will be inside Newbolds.

Expect the unexpected at HighLight: Carnival of Lights. See you soon.