08 October 2024

Tamworth’s free fireworks returning for an explosive display

1. Free fireworks display returns to Castle Grounds 
2. Music, food stalls and fun fair on site
3. Visitors are encouraged to walk or use public transport, roads and parking expected to be busy – plan your journey & check map for road and path closures

The countdown is on to the biggest and most popular event in Tamworth Borough Council’s calendar as the FREE fireworks’ spectacular returns with a breath-taking display to light up the skies above the Castle Grounds on Saturday 2 November.

The extravaganza will return bringing a great evening of fun for the whole family. This year’s impressive display of fireworks, set to music ‘through the decades’, will light up the skies above Tamworth at 7pm, site open from 5pm with food stalls and a fun fair. 

Organised by Tamworth Borough Council, the event has become a firm favourite in the town’s annual calendar of events pulling in around 25,000 visitors in previous years, so please allow ample time for travel and parking to make the most of this wonderful event.

PLEASE NOTE – AS THIS IS A FREE EVENT, NO TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. Anyone trying to ‘sell’ any tickets is a scammer, so please ignore.

This year to assist with access safety to the event, road closures will take place at Anker Drive between 6.45pm – 7.45pm, River Drive between 7pm – 8pm, A51 (between Snowdome island and the football stadium) between 7pm-8pm and Ventura Park Road 7pm – 8pm.

Council staff will be handing out wristbands for children, at the main entrances for parents to write their contact details on, in case a child becomes separated from their grown up. Alternatively, parents can place a wristband on their child at home, prior to arriving, to save queuing at the entrances.

There will also be the opportunity to visit Tamworth Castle after dark, last admission is 5pm, doors close at 7pm. No viewing of the fireworks will be possible from inside the castle. Normal admission prices will apply.

People are advised to walk or use public transport where possible and to arrive in plenty of time for the fireworks as some footpaths around the area will close during the display for safety reasons.   

Due to the event’s popularity, visitors are asked to plan ahead and be patient when travelling to the event and moving in and out of the main arena. Visitors are also asked to follow instructions from the stewarding team. 

Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, leisure and engagement, said: 

“We are delighted to be able to host such a large event for the 15th year, free of charge.

“The event has attracted up to 25,000 people in some years and obviously there is quite a lot involved in the logistics of getting everyone in and out safely. The layout this year will help assist with the flow of people and traffic, but we do ask visitors to bear with us, follow signs and listen to the stewards when exiting the arena.

“If possible, people are advised to walk or use public transport, but if anyone is driving in, we would remind them that highways and parking regulations do apply and anyone parking illegally could be fined. 

“I hope lots of visitors come along to enjoy the celebrations safely. We’re lucky to have the facilities to make it all possible to deliver an amazing display of pyrotechnics and entertainment.”

For more information about Tamworth Borough Council events, town centre, food and drink, take a look at the following council websites: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk; www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk/whats-on; www.visittamworth.co.uk/whats-on.

To help ease the flow of people exiting the event, visitors are asked to look out for signs and follow instructions from the stewarding team, including:

• People driving to the event are asked to park responsibly and in accordance with traffic orders as enforcement may be carried out by Staffordshire County Council for public safety and traffic flow purposes where vehicles are illegally parked.
• Parking is free from 6pm at all Tamworth Borough Council car parks. There are plenty located throughout the town centre and near the Castle Grounds. (Riverdrive public pay and display will be CLOSED). All council-run cark parks can be viewed on a map here: www.tamworth.gov.uk/car-parks. 
• All pedestrian entrances to the Castle Grounds will be open and available, however, the below entrances will be closed from 6.40pm onwards: 

1. Entrance via the Glascote underpass 
2. Entrance via the bottom of Amington Road (Under the arches) 
3. Entrance via the Kettlebrook underpass

• The Namco car park off Riverdrive will be closed between around 6.45pm and 8pm (or after the crowds have cleared). This is to allow the safe exit of pedestrians leaving the Castle Grounds arena. This means anyone parked in the Namco car park will not be able to leave until around 8.15pm. (Please note that Namco carpark is for their customers only). 
• The exit road from the Snowdome car park, which leads under Riverdrive and into the Namco car park, will also be closed. 
• Vehicle access to properties and businesses will be maintained outside of event main times but will be restricted throughout the fireworks event. 
• Safe pedestrians’ diversion routes will be clearly signed where necessary
• This year the main Castle Grounds lower lawn arena and nearby black gates will all be opened up to assist the flow of people, but pedestrians are asked to be patient when waiting to cross bridges and be careful when crossing roads in the area.
• Some roads and footpaths around the Castle Grounds will be closed, or partially closed, for safety reasons during the display and until crowds have dispersed. This includes Riverdrive from the jolly sailor roundabout to the Ankerdrive roundabout by the snowdome from 7pm to 8pm; Riverdrive from the Ankerdrive roundabout by the snowdome to the A4091 junction from 7pm to 8pm and from Ventura Park Road exit to the A4091 to Riverdrive from 7pm to 8pm.
  
  The bridges between the lower lawn and the arena will be one way only on exit.

A map of the road closures for pedestrians and vehicles can be downloaded here: https://www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Castle-Grounds-Fireworks-Map-2024.pdf.