The trail will take place on December 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2024. Students of the University of Essex, along with university staff and Students’ Union staff and their guests, can visit the trail on the 4th and 5th. The trail will be open to the general public on December 6th.

Yes, tickets are limited for each time slot so must be pre-booked to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.

No, you need to arrive within the time allocated within you ticket receipt but are welcome to walk through the trail at your own pace. We expect the route to be around a 30 minute walk.

The event is free for students of the University of Essex. Staff members from the University and Students’ Union can purchase tickets for £5. We warmly welcome members of the general public to our SU Festive Light Trail on the 6th December; entry is £7.50, and children under 3 attend for free. On Friday, December 6, 2024, the general public is invited to join the trail without needing to be accompanied by a University or Students’ Union staff member. Carer tickets are free.

Please buy the Student Ticket Guest. You will need to come in all as one group as we will check student ID.

No, you are only able to buy a ticket for yourself.

Please buy the staff - adult ticket. You will need to come in all as one group as we will check staff ID.

Yes, we do provide free carer tickets for the Festive Light Trail. You must choose the carer ticket when booking online. You will need to bring one of the following documentation and valid photo ID with you when you visit:

If you have any concerns or questions, please email suengagement@essex.ac.uk

• A DLA or PIP letter
• A Headed GP/Consultant letter
• A valid Blue Badge
• Access card

Please only buy a ticket for one session. On the evening, we may have additional capacity for you to come along to an extra session. If you book for more than one timeslot, these additional tickets may be cancelled. If you booked in error, please email suengagement@essex.ac.uk

Unfortunately, due to the high demand for tickets, they are strictly non-refundable.

You will receive an email after you’ve purchased your tickets. This will serve as proof of payment and can be shown on your phone/handheld device on the day of entry.

The SU Festive Light Trail is approximately 1.1km in length.

Our trail primarily follows pedestrian paths, but there are segments where you'll be walking on grass and rough tracking. Additionally, some sections of the route include inclines and declines. If you need an accessible route please book the 4pm slot and we will be able to provide an accessible route.

The accessible route is shorter and avoids areas without clear pathways or those prone to waterlogging. It also minimizes slopes to make navigation easier. This route will be clearly marked with signage for convenience. If you have specific questions about the accessible route, please email us at suengagement@essex.ac.uk

The accessible hour, scheduled from 4-5 PM each day of the event, is designed with a lower attendance cap—allowing a maximum of 150 people for the entire hour. In comparison, the other time slots admit up to 200 people every 30 minutes. This reduced capacity during the accessible hour aims to create a calmer and less crowded environment, making it more comfortable for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by large crowds or have mobility concerns.

Free parking for all three days is available at Valley Car Park which is located down Park Road. Please see this map.

The trail is one way and you will only be allowed to walk around it once in your time slot, don't worry though there's plenty to see and do during your slot.

You can arrive any time during your time slot, please make sure you arrive during your time slot.

Please head to outside of the Silberrad building. You can find a map at the bottom of this page.

There will be pulsating and flashing light effects across all sections of our light trails (with additional haze/smoke effects at various points).

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at various locations along the trail during the event.

We will have 10% off in Top Bar for all attendees. All you will need to do to gain this discount is show your entry band.

Dog are not allowed; however assistant dogs are allowed. If you have any questions about the route regarding your assistant dog, please contact suengagement@essex.ac.uk.

Unless the weather presents a safety issue, the event will go ahead in all conditions (rain or shine!) so please come prepared. We suggest you wrap up warm and wear appropriate footwear for the winter weather.

In extreme weather conditions where a safety issue is presented, notification of cancellation will be emailed to all ticket holders and also posted on our website and social media channels.

Yes, the Festive Light Trail is for all students at the University of Essex. If you need help with transport costs, we will be able to subsidise this by £10, please contact suengagement@essex.ac.uk