29 – 31 May

Ashburton Domain

Gold Sponsor

Radio Partner

Digital Partner

Print Partner

Glow up your winter!

Our free family event returns to the Ashburton Domain this King’s Birthday weekend.

Enjoy new lighting displays, rides and entertainment alongside returning favourites.

Bring your family and join us for three magical nights of lights, food and fun for all ages!

Friday

29 May

5pm – 9.30pm

Saturday

30 May

5pm – 9.30pm

Sunday

31 May

5pm – 9.30pm
Low sensory session, 3pm-5pm

Lighting Displays

Immerse yourself in a spectacular display of colour and creativity as our light installations transform Ashburton Domain into a night‑time experience for the whole family.

Explore glowing gardens, encounter dazzling dinosaurs, dance along with a larger‑than‑life DJ Octopus and discover playful photo moments around every corner.

Amusement Zone

Ready for more excitement? The amusement zone has something for all ages, with a range of thrilling rides. Younger family members will love bouncing on the inflatables, while adrenaline lovers can get their rush on the Super Trooper!

Interactive Attractions

It’s not just a feast for the eyes, there’s plenty of fun activities on offer! Get your photo with the illuminated flower stilt walkers, play with our interactive light installations, purchase a glowing souvenir from the shop and claim your free glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoo.

Food Court

Come hungry and leave happy! Indulge yourself with delicious food and drinks from a huge selection of food trucks in our food court. Tempt your tastebuds with your favourite flavours, from gourmet burgers and fries to crispy dumplings or mini-donuts, you’ll find everything you need to satisfy your cravings.

Low Sensory Session

On Sunday 31 May from 3pm-5pm we are offering a dedicated low-sensory session, where noise levels will be lowered and the crowds will be smaller.

Most displays, rides and the food court will be available. However, the noisier attractions will not start up until 5pm.

For those looking for the full after-dark experience and okay with a bit more noise, Sunday night is typically the quietest in terms of visitor numbers.

Explore Glow In The Park

1. Illuminated Entrance Arches

2. Bloom Boulevard sponsored by Ashburton U-Hire

3. Flower Stilt Dancers (three performances nightly)

4. Neon Quackers

5. Flamingos and Swans

6. Share-the-Love Lane

7. Glowctapus

8. Luna the Light Whale

9. Light Up Playground / Glow Selfie Spot

10. Glow-in-the-dark Temporary Tattoos

11. Deep Sea DJ Octopus

12. Dragon Pathway sponsored by Juice Signs + Design

13. Chinese Lanterns

14. Luminous Leapfrog

15. Glowing Gecko

16. Dazzling Dinosaur Den

17. The Hits Silent Disco

18. Hokonui Photo Booth with JMW Events

Amusement Zone

ANZCO Foods Canterbury Food Court

Event HQ / Lost & Found

First Aid

Glow Shop

Mobility Parking

Getting there

Ashburton Domain is located on State Highway 1 in the centre of Ashburton, about a one-hour drive from Christchurch or Timaru. As you approach the domain, please slow down and watch for pedestrians crossing the road.

On-site parking is reserved for mobility permit holders.

 

Parking

Free parking is widely available on nearby streets and in the West Street Carpark, EA Networks Centre and Balmoral Hall.

Mobility parking for permit holders is available onsite – next to the paddling pool and can be accessed from the main entrance (when traveling northbound on SH1).

Accessiblity & Safety

The venue is generally suitable for wheelchairs and strollers with a mix of paved and gravel paths. Please take care if travelling through unlit areas and keep an eye on children around areas with water

If you require help, or lost & found, please alert event staff or visit our Event HQ.

FAQ

Who is this event suitable for?

This event is suitable for all ages and particularly popular with families. With an early start time, those with young children can enjoy the event, have something to eat in the food area, enjoy the rides and still be home early. With King’s Birthday being a long weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights are all good options for visiting.

On Sunday 31 May from 3pm-5pm we’ll be hosting a low-sensory session with lowered noise levels. The lighting displays, food court and amusement zone will all be operating during these times.

What does it cost?

Entry to Glow in the Park is completely free, however Hato Hone St John will be collecting donations onsite for their annual appeal. There are optional paid activities, such as the amusements, food area and glow shop. Eftpos will be widely available.

Where can I park?

Free parking is available on nearby streets and at the following locations:

  • EA Networks Centre (750m walking distance)
  • West Street carpark (750m walking distance)
  • Cameron Street carpark (700m walking distance)

Is the event accessible?

Parking is available onsite for those with mobility permits. The mobility parking can be accessed via the main Domain entrance off SH1 / West Street. Please follow the directions of event staff when arriving.

The lighting display route is accessible for wheelchairs or mobility scooters, however please take care if traveling through unlit areas as there may be some areas of the domain with uneven ground.

On Sunday 31 May, we’re offering a low-sensory session from 3pm-5pm with lowered noise levels and less crowds. This is also open to groups with mobility requirements, such as rest homes.

What happens in bad weather?

The festival will continue in light rain or drizzle. In heavy rain or strong winds, one or more nights may need to be cancelled. If weather is poor on the day, please check this website or the event Facebook page from midday for updates.

Can I bring my dog?

Ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone is our top priority, so we ask that you please leave your pets at home while visiting Glow in the Park. 

What if I have lost something?

Visit our team at Event HQ to see if anything has been found or send us a message. We will also post photos of found items on the Glow Facebook page following the event.

What else do I need to know when visiting?

Lighting: Strobe lighting and other high-intensity light effects are used at this event. Attendance is not recommended for individuals with light sensitivity or epilepsy. Please do not look directly at laser lights or touch the lighting installations.

Photography and filming: Feel free to take plenty of your own photos and tag us at #ashburtonglow.

Commercial photography/filming, livestreaming and use of drones at Glow in the Park are not permitted without prior approval.

Our official event photographer will be taking photographs on some nights. These will be shared across social media and other channels, and may be used for future marketing. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let our event photographer know on the night.

Lost Children: Due to the lowered lighting levels and the large number of visitors, it can be easy to lost track of family members. So, please supervise your children closely, particularly around the water areas. If you’re unable to find your child, please notify event staff or visit Event HQ for assistance.

What else can I do in the district?

There’s heaps of fun stuff to dive into! Start your day soaring high with a thrilling hot air balloon ride, taking in epic views of the stunning Canterbury plains below. After your aerial adventure, chill out and unwind at the Opuke thermal pools, letting the warm waters melt away any stress. When hunger strikes, hit up the local eateries for a taste sensation – whether you’re craving hearty Kiwi classics or international flavours, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Don’t forget to explore the great outdoors too! Lace up your boots and hit the trails at Hakatere Conservation Park for a hike or wildlife spotting. And if you’re into art and history, swing by the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum to get your culture fix. If mountain biking is your thing, we have some amazing options for you.

Check out the Experience Mid Canterbury website for all the information you need to make the most of your visit. You’ll be glad you did!