Fireworks Night at Hove Cricket Ground is not a small neighbourhood display. Sussex Cricket describes it as one of its largest community events, and its 2026 commercial material says the night can attract up to 11,000 people. That explains why the queues, pavements, stations and nearby roads feel very different from an ordinary Saturday in Hove.
What Sussex Cricket has confirmed
Timings
Gates open at 5:00pm. Pre-show entertainment starts at 5:15pm. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at around 7:00pm; arrive early rather than timing your entrance for the display.
Live entertainment
The pre-show line-up features Elton John tribute act Doing Elton and Dua Lipa tribute act Levitate, performing before the fireworks.
For families
The first 200 under-16s through the gates receive a free goody bag. Children under three enter free, but still need their own booked ticket.
Food, drink and Sixes
Food and drink outlets will operate around the ground. Sixes Social Cricket is also due to open, with cricket nets, food and drinks available as part of the evening.
Charity connection
Ticket buyers can choose to donate to the Sussex Cricket Foundation, supporting its community work across the county.
2026 ticket prices
| Ticket | Adult | Under 16 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing | £15.00 | £12.50 | General standing admission. |
| Cow Corner Sharks Stand | £22.50 | £17.50 | Reserved seat. |
| Spen Cama Pavilion | £35.00 | £25.00 | Reserved pavilion seating. |
| Wheelchair-accessible area | £15.00 | £12.50 | Dedicated accessible viewing area. |
| Under 3 | Free—but a ticket must still be booked | Do not arrive without adding the child to the booking. | |
Premium hospitality was listed as “on sale soon” when this guide was checked. The announced package includes access to the Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms or Focus Group Executive Suite, a front seating area and standing room, a welcome sparkling wine or soft-drink token, a one-course food station and hospitality-only bars.
Check live ticket availability and any updated timings on the official event page →
What you can bring—and what to leave at home
Allowed
- Small snacks and water.
- A bag around A4 size or smaller.
- A small umbrella—although it must not be used during the fireworks display.
- Assistance dogs.
Not allowed or restricted
- No alcohol brought into this event.
- No hot food or picnics.
- No dogs other than assistance dogs.
- No drones, fireworks, smoke canisters or laser pointers.
Ground regulations and event-specific instructions can change. Follow stewards and the wording on your ticket. Published ground rules also state that the ground is non-smoking except in clearly designated areas.
Train and bus routes to the ground
? Hove station
The closest rail station. Sussex Cricket has previously described it as roughly a 10-minute walk. Leave extra time for the return because one large crowd reaches the platforms together.
? Route 7
From Brighton Station, take the 7 from Stop A towards Holland Road or Wilbury Villas. The route also serves the Cromwell Road end of the ground.
? Routes 21 / 21A
From Hove Station, route 21 southbound serves Cricket Ground. Sussex Cricket’s travel information also identifies 21 and 21A as serving the main entrance area.
Driving right up to the ground is usually the weakest plan
The ground sits among residential streets around Eaton Road and Cromwell Road. A legal-looking space may be restricted, already occupied or difficult to leave after the event. There is no official 2026 announcement promising public event parking, so do not build your evening around finding it.
Our practical advice: use rail, bus, walk, or arrange a vehicle to set down and collect away from the tightest crowd—subject to live access and steward instructions.
How to plan a pickup that actually works
This is not an official event traffic plan; it is practical advice based on how large Hove events disperse. Access can change on the night, so the driver and passenger must stay in contact.
Book before Saturday
At around 7pm the display begins; shortly afterwards thousands of people start moving at once. Larger vehicles disappear first.
Name a real place
Use a street, business, hotel or postcode. “The cricket ground” and “outside the fireworks” do not identify a safe side of the road.
Do not move silently
If stewards redirect you, phone the office. A driver heading to the original point cannot guess where the group has gone.
Allow a walking buffer
A pickup slightly away from the busiest gate can work better, but only if everyone can reach it safely and the point is confirmed.
Give the true passenger count
Children count as passengers. Pushchairs, wheelchairs and large bags may require a different vehicle.
Keep the phone audible
Noise and crowds make missed calls common. Watch for driver messages and keep enough battery for the journey home.
Travel choices compared
| Option | Best for | Main limitation | Local tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Hove | Brighton, Worthing, Shoreham and rail connections | Busy platforms after the display | Check the return train before entering the venue. |
| Local bus | Brighton and Hove neighbourhoods | Full vehicles or temporary stop changes | Save the live journey planner, not only the timetable. |
| Walk | Central Hove and nearby accommodation | Cold weather and crowded pavements | Use lit streets and plan for children tiring after the event. |
| Drive and park | People with a confirmed legal space well away from the venue | Restrictions, congestion and slow exit | Read the sign at the exact bay; never assume. |
| Pre-booked taxi | Families, groups, accessibility needs and onward travel | Needs advance booking and precise coordination | Agree the collection point before entering. |
The checklist experienced visitors use
- Every child needs a ticket, including under-threes.
- Arrive early; entry queues build closer to showtime.
- Use hearing protection for young children or anyone sensitive to loud noise.
- Dress for a cold or wet November evening.
- Keep the group’s tickets on more than one phone if possible.
- Photograph or agree a meeting landmark before the display.
- Tell the taxi operator about wheelchairs, mobility aids and pushchairs.
- Choose accessible-area tickets where required.
- Bring only what fits the published bag and food rules.
- Do not expect a child to manage a long unplanned walk after the event.
Suggested timeline
Reach central Hove
Build in time for train, bus or traffic variation rather than aiming for the gate opening exactly.
Gates open
Enter early, deal with any bag checks and locate your seating or viewing area.
Entertainment starts
Enjoy the tribute acts, food outlets and pre-show activity.
Fireworks begin
The published time is approximate. Be in position beforehand and keep umbrellas down during the display.
Let the first wave move
If your booking allows, a little patience can be better than trying to meet in the densest crowd.
Check before walking
Confirm the driver can reach the agreed point before moving the whole group.
Hove Fireworks Night FAQs
What date is Hove Fireworks Night 2026?
Saturday 7 November 2026 at Hove Cricket Ground.
What time do the gates and display start?
Gates open at 5:00pm, entertainment starts at 5:15pm, and the fireworks are due to begin at around 7:00pm.
Can I buy tickets on the gate?
No normal gate sales are planned and the ticket office will be closed. Buy online in advance. The organiser says online purchase at the gate may be possible only if tickets remain.
Does a baby or child under three need a ticket?
Yes. Admission is free for under-threes, but a ticket must still be booked.
Can I take food, drink or an umbrella?
Small snacks and water are allowed within the published bag guidance. Alcohol, hot food and picnics are not. A small umbrella is allowed but must not be used during the fireworks.
Is there accessible viewing?
Wheelchair-accessible-area tickets are listed at £15 for adults and £12.50 for under-16s. Check availability and current access details directly with the organiser.
Which station is nearest?
Hove station. Published Sussex Cricket travel information describes the walk as roughly ten minutes.
Should I pre-book a taxi?
Yes. The display creates concentrated demand after it finishes. Confirm passenger numbers, mobility equipment and one exact pickup point.
Is the event connected with Sussex Airports Taxis?
No. We are an independent local private-hire operator providing this guide and pre-booked transport.
Book the journey home before Fireworks Night
Give us the pickup point, destination, time, passenger count and any wheelchair, pushchair or luggage requirements. We will confirm what can realistically be arranged—without promising access that may be restricted on the night.
Checked 15 October 2026. Official event details come from Sussex Cricket and Brighton & Hove Buses. Crowd size is described in Sussex Cricket’s 2026 commercial brochure. Local journey and pickup recommendations are practical guidance from Sussex Airports Taxis, not an official traffic-management plan. Always follow the organiser, police, stewards, road signs and live transport information.