FAQs

Our quieter sessions will be taking place on 28th December at 4pm. To book tickets, please click here

On our Quiet Session, audio is reduced, moving lights are slowed or stopped and interactive features turned down / off. In addition, guest numbers are limited to around 20% of the usual capacity to ensure the trail is less crowded and more relaxed.

Quiet Session guests are the first group on-site and will have the trail all to themselves although towards the end of the session, the trail will begin to return to full volume as we power-up for the next session. Therefore we advise guests to attend as close to the start time as possible.

If you have purchased Ticket Refund Protection through See Tickets when purchasing your tickets you may be eligible for a refund under the following T&C’s here.

Otherwise we recommend that you move your tickets to an alternative night which can be done via the See Tickets customer platform by logging into your account.

Please direct any further queries regarding ticketing to See Tickets here.

Well-behaved dogs with responsible owners are welcome. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and be comfortable with large crowds, loud noises and fire.

Following the latest Government announcements we want to reassure customers that as a fully outdoor experience, Christmas at Bute Park is COVID compliant.

To have a safe and enjoyable experience please read the below before your visit:

-Customers should arrive at the time of the ticket slot booked, with each entry time having a 15 minute window until the next time slot.

-Customers do not need to show a COVID pass to enter the trail, but are welcome to wear a face covering.

-Please note we will contact customers with information if any changes are made that affect either the operation of, or attendance at the trail.

-You can find further information about whether you are entitled to a refund here. 

-If the pandemic was to evolve, we would update all customers by email regarding any changes to the event.

The trail takes its responsibility for working in such a valuable setting seriously. The trail will improve access to the site and actively celebrates the park’s heritage features and tree collection. Both an independent tree and an independent ecology specialist were commissioned by the trail to ensure flora and fauna are not negatively impacted by the trail. They have worked with us to develop appropriate methodologies and ensure the trail production adequately mitigates any risks. The conclusions of our independent consultants are included below for reference.

Acer Ecology said: “Provided the precautionary and mitigation measures detailed are implemented, the development is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to any protected sites, habitats, or species. The site’s ecological value is not considered to represent a fundamental in-principal constraint to the proposed development. Providing the recommendation within the report are followed, the proposed lighting will not significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of bats within the site and a protected species licence from NRW will not be required.”

Treecare Consulting said: “The light trail is using areas of the park not commonly used. The lighting needs also mean that trees feature heavily in the support for lighting systems. On this basis, Treecare Consulting has undertaken a further tree safety assessment (specific to the trail) in addition to the normal Cardiff city council tree safety assessments. The public safety need for the trail has highlighted some key areas of tree work required. Some of this work is standing dead trees that are in falling distance of paths used by the light trail. These trees will be made safe yet the wood retained on site as habitat.

Removal of dead wood over paths used by the trail is also being carried out. The expected high volume of pedestrians in the vicinity of trees means that loose or unstable sections of dead wood has to be removed.

All trees within the park arboretum are treated with the greatest respect. Therefore there is a positive schedule of recommended tree work that will help maintain trees for the light trail and also the long term future of the public visiting the park.

Treecare consulting have worked closely with the Christmas at Bute Park trail team to ensure all their lighting works are undertaken with a methodology that protects tree health. The site team have experience of working in similar settings (e.g. Kew Gardens) and are competent to undertake the work. Dead trees and branches identified along the trail will be felled in advance of the trail opening to manage risk and promote the safety of the trail audience. This is positive maintenance of the arboretum collection and will allow it to be enjoyed by visitors in the best possible condition.

We can assure visitors that all recommendations will be followed.

We are an entirely cashless site, so all food & drink items will need to be purchased on card.

We are pleased to say that hosting the Christmas at Bute Park trail has limited impact on normal public access to the park. Visitors to Bute Park can enjoy the site in the normal way during daylight hours. Bute Park is locked 30 minutes before dusk throughout the year, and for the period of the trail, the normal park locking time is 3:45pm. However, a section of the park will be closed off slightly earlier so it can be prepared for re-opening to trail ticket holders. The area effected is shown in the map below and will be closed off from 3pm instead of 3:45pm. The area used by the trail and shown in the map below is open for normal public access between 7am and 3pm.

An evening-only cycle and “active travel” diversion is in place whilst the trail is in operation as also shown on the map below. This maintains what is an important route across the city centre. As park visitors will know, the east-west designated commuter route ordinarily stays open, even after park locking, to provide a useful route for active travellers. We are pleased to have been able to maintain this popular route by implementing the diversion shown. In daylight hours, when the park is open as normal we advise the usual path is used for people’s convenience.

Due to Christmas at Bute Park being an outdoor event, covid passes are not required.

For any ticket enquiries, or to change the date of your tickets, you can contact See Tickets at https://www.seetickets.com/customerservice.

The trail takes place at Bute Park and Arboretum, North Road, Cardiff, CF10 3DF. The Trail starts from The Mews next to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The nearest postcode to the entrance is CF10 3ER.

The Trail cannot be accessed from any other location including from any other Park gate.

You can print your ticket at home or show your e-ticket on your phone at the venue.

Of course, the trail is accessible for pushchairs and buggies.

We are fully booked for traders at this year’s event, however you are welcome to email hello@christmasatbutepark.com with your details, which we can keep on file for next year, and in the event of any cancellations.

No, these are not permitted at the event.

We advise you to purchase your tickets in advance of the event online, to avoid disappointment. There is no guarantee that any tickets will be available at the venue on the night.

Yes, timed slots are allocated and to assure you can attend we advise buying early via our website.

For group bookings over 10, please email groups@seetickets.com or contact them on 0844 412 4650.

Accessible guests can obtain one free companion/personal assistant ticket. Please bring ONE of the following forms of documentation upon your arrival to validate the free carer pass:

N.B – if you do not have one of these forms for documentation then please contact us by email and we will look at your request on a case by case basis.

• Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for those aged 16-64, either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book
• Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance letter of award
• Incapacity Benefit books, or a letter notifying the recipient that the benefit has been awarded Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• A valid Blue Badge
• In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
• A local authority registration document which is local to the attraction where it is being submitted
• A recognised Assistance Dog ID Card
• Credibility’s Access Card

You will receive an eticket via email prior to the event.

The light trail is approximately 60 minutes long followed by a food and drink hub, which you are welcome to enjoy for as long as you like.

Tickets are sent from ‘SEE Tickets’ which is a donotreply@seetickets.com email address. Please also remember to check your junk mail.

If you are still having issues locating your tickets you can contact See Tickets at https://www.seetickets.com/customerservice. 

There is no on site parking at Bute Park, however there are a variety of car parking facilities nearby.  

Pay and display car parking facilities are available nearby in Castle Mews (CF10 3ER) and North Road (CF10 3EA), College Road, King Edward VII Avenue & Museum Avenue. 

Download the Park Cardiff app to help you find a place to park in Cardiff using live information from the Smart Parking sensor system that has been installed into parking spaces around the city. Links to download the Park Cardiff app and more details can be found here.

Or you can visit Cardiff.gov for further details about parking by Bute Park.

Christmas at Bute Park runs from 25th November till 31st December (excluding Christmas Day). 

 A maximum of two adults to a family ticket. Eg 2 adults and 2 children, 1 Adult 3 children

A Christmas light trail is a walking trail through a series of Christmas themed illuminated installations to a festive soundtrack.

As it’s winter we advise waterproof and warm clothing and if wet, wear suitable footwear.

For any ticket enquiries,  please click here.

Christmas at Bute Park is suitable for friends, family and children of all ages!