You’ve got your tickets to our Low Sensory evening, now what?
Here’s the key information you need to know before your arrival to HighLight: Carnival of Lights.
Low Sensory Evening | Thursday 28 March 2024
We are thrilled to welcome you to an unforgettable experience filled with dazzling lights and captivating entertainment. 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 entry on Thursday 28 March.
On this night we will have reduced sounds and much smaller crowds for those with accessibility and sensory needs. Performances will not be running, but you may get a sneak peak of some doing a final rehearsal.
Event timing:
Gates open: 7pm
Lights on: 7pm
Dance performance under Wisteria Lane: 7:15pm
Lights off and event closes: 9pm
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.
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
- Hats, gloves and jackets if it’s a cold evening
- Camera – you’ll want to take plenty of snaps
Entry
The main entrance is into the covered canopy area just inside the main gates on your left. Please see map for entry location.
Parking
Parking is available onsite for the low sensory experience. Limited mobility parking spaces are available opposite the event entrance just inside the Brewtown main gates on your right. Further car parking is available over the far side of the event site outside Chipmunks.
Public transport
Trains will be running on Thursday 28th March.
Once you arrive
Entry on this night is via the main Blenheim St entry to Brewtown.
Gates open at 7pm and close at 9pm. 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.
Immerse yourself in illuminating lights, creativity and community fun. With installations to interact with such as Octopoda and Treegeneration, to lights that’ll have you mesmerised, there’s plenty to check out. There is a site map further down this page.
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: We will tone down or turn off any high-risk lighting on this low sensory evening, but 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.
As at 6:44am, Thu 28 March, Metservice are advising the following weather for Thursday. Cloudy periods. A few showers developing north of Wellington City this afternoon, becoming widespread this evening as gusty northerlies turn southerly.
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.
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 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 under the newly built canopy and 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.
