Take a scroll to find some of the frequently asked questions by our visitors. If there is something you’re still unsure on, please feel free to email us at .
Age limit’s
Smoke and fire festival is a family friendly festival, however all persons under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, aged 21 or over at all times.
There is a limit of 3 under 18’s tickets that can be purchased with 1 adult ticket.
If you wish to purchase more than 3 under 18’s tickets then an additional adult will be required to attend the festival as part of your group.
All under 18’s tickets must be bought in the same transaction as the accompanying adult.
Please note on entry all under 18s need to arrive at the gate with their parent or guardian over the age of 21.
Extreme Eating contests: you must be 18yrs or over to enter
Do I need ID?
Yes. Each named ticket holder will need to show id if asked by security at the gate. If you cannot produce ID you may be refused entry to the festival.
Acceptable forms of ID are as follows:
- valid passport
- valid drivers licence
- valid pass card
All bars will operate a challenge 25 policy.
You may be asked to provide ID at the bars.
The bars reserve the right to refuse sale of alcohol to anyone unable to show valid photo ID.
Is the festival child friendly?
Yes.
Do children need tickets?
Yes, every person attending smoke and fire festival must have a ticket.
Click here for all ticket types and further info.
Can I turn up and buy my ticket on the door?
We recommend you buy in advance not only to secure the best price and availability but also to reduce entrance crowds wishing to purchase tickets.
But a percentage of tickets will be available to purchase on the day. Please note that if any tickets remain, they may be subject to a higher on-the-door price tier.
Are tickets refundable?
Tickets are non-refundable once purchased unless event is cancelled.
Can I upgrade my ticket once purchased?
If you wish to add extras such as Wildfire VIP Lounge and pop-up restaurant reservations, please click here.
Castle Park Colchester – Where do I park?
The closest car parks are located at Priory Street (Colchester Borough Council) and Leisure World (Parking at Leisure World Colchester | Colchester Leisure World )
Where you can access the Park via the north entrance. Further parking is available through the council’s town centre car parks (Parking and travel · Colchester Borough Council).
Do I need to bring cash for those extra purchases?
The festival site does not have any ATM’s on the site, but most traders have card machines for those extra purchases.
Do you have disabled toilets?
Yes of course. All smoke and fire festival sites are very accessible.
Can I drive into the campsite?
Where possible you will be allowed to park next to your pitch however where parking is separate but they will extremely close to each other. Between 100 and 200 metres dependent on where you park.
Please note: that there are NO electrical hook ups available.
Camping – How to get there- facilities and rules
Camping is currently only available at Colchester Smoke and Fire Festival site in 2022 –
The campo site is open from 08:30 ion Sat and closes at 9:30 am on the Monday so all campers need to be off site by this time as the site ververts back to being a public park.
Address: Kings Meadow, Castle Park , C01 1XS
Directions: From the the A133 Cowdray Ave, turn into Catchpole road to the junction of catchpole and Pavilion View ( Entrance to East Essex Cricket )
The campsites are basic but secure toilets and water are available in the camping area and a shower will cost you £2 per shower, in excellent and clean shower units. which will stewarded and be open at various times of the day ( times will be published on the door from Sat Please note: that there are NO electrical hook ups available at any of the sites,
Please note NO live fires or BBQs of any kind are allowed on the the camp site.
Noise: – MUST be kept to a minimum, no loud music etc – and there is a noise curfew from 22:30 each night until 7:30am
If you have a dog please ensure that they are kept on a lead at all times and PICK UP after you dog failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave the site.
During the festival operation the camp site will have 24/security
What happens if it rains the day of the festival?
The event has plenty of covering and shelters should the weather be a little inclement, so we’ll be celebrating rain or shine!
Dogs
Yes of course! But only well-behaved dogs and they MUST be kept on leads at ALL TIMES.
Dogs are allowed on site with a special dog ticket which should be booked at the same time as booking your tickets
Please be aware that only it maximum of one dog per person and only those with a dog pass may bring their dog. This is so we know how many dog we have coming on site.
Can I bring my own food and/or drink?
You are not permitted to bring your own food and drink to the festival, bag searches will take place. There will be plenty of drink, food and dietary options for you to sample throughout the day.
If you require specific specialist food/drink for personal dietary requirements, then you will be allowed to bring it in.
What seating will be available?
There will be seating around the venue including lounge spaces and dining areas. If you fancy something a little more stylish, why not purchase a ticket to our Wild Fire Lounge area.
Can I smoke at the festival?
Yes, visitors are allowed to smoke unless inside a tent/covered space.
What is Smoke and Fire Festivals drug policy?
Smoke and Fire has a strict policy that does not tolerate drug use.
Anyone caught with illegal substances will be handed to the police.
Please note that all new psychoactive substances including nitrous oxide are also prohibited.