The story of Guy Fawkes is an extraordinary one — especially as the plot to blow up parliament, with which he is so closely associated, wasn’t his idea to begin with.
Rather than a ringleader, Fawkes was working under the direction of Robert Catesby, a Catholic of aristocratic background who wished to kill off James I, then the King of England and a strong Protestant who detested those following Papal teachings. Fawkes was recruited for his knowledge of explosives, which he knew well from his time fighting in Spain, during the Eighty Years’ War. He helped Catesby recruit other Catholics who wanted the king gone and, famously, was in the end found below the House of Lords guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. It was easily enough to have destroyed the houses of parliament, killing all those attending the state opening of government and for his part in it, Fawkes was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered — a process which would have seen him have his genetalia cut off in front of his very eyes, before being disembowelled. Fortunately for Fawkes, his neck broke when he was hanged, killing him and sparing him the rest of his punishment.
And while Fawkes and his gang might have avoided being burnt at the stake, flaming effigies have been a long-standing feature of Bonfire Night and below, we’ve rounded up the best places in London offering bonfires, pyrotechnics, live music, funfairs and fireworks.
Many in our round-up have earlier firework options for families to ensure that younger ones don’t miss out, and for those with pets, there are laser and light shows alongside the traditional firework evenings.
The woes of the last couple of years — council budget cuts, inflation and the rising cost of living — have poured water on the fireworks across town, so Londoners looking for somewhere to celebrate may find that fewer shows are on offer than in previous years (though, big news: Blackheath’s display is back for the first time since 2018). But, with November 5 this year falling on a Wednesday, the upside is that displays are being split over the weekend pre-and-post the day itself, so there are more opportunities to have a watch. Be sure to check the websites of all those listed below, as beside the individual tickets, there are often family packages available. Here’s where to go out with a bang.
Press Handout
Tickets remain for arguably London’s biggest and most popular fireworks display at the stunning Ally Pally. It’s known as the Glastonbury of fireworks nights — with tongues only somewhat lodged in cheeks — as it’s more than a few rockets in the sky. Before the big display itself, there’s a spectacular drone festival, and both the Friday and Saturday nights will feature a German bier festival, music from DJ Luck and MC Neat, tribute acts to Taylor Swift (Friday) and Dolly Parton (Saturday), a funfair and ice rink, a huge bonfire and a ghost tour. The fireworks themselves start at 9pm (Friday) and 8pm (Saturday), but doors open earlier, from 6pm on Friday and 4pm on Saturday; head in early to take advantage of everything offered. Tickets from £18 for adults and £6.50 for children.
Not such a surprise there are barely any displays in the centre of town. But at Coram’s Fields, the charming park just behind Great Ormond Street hospital, there’ll be a free 18-minute display for up to 4,800 people. It’s free to attend and doesn’t require a ticket, but entrance is based on a first-come, first-served basis, with doors opening from 3.30pm. There’ll be live performances from 4.30pm, with fireworks themselves from 6pm.
Plenty for children (£7 entry) at the Ealing Cricket Club: glowing displays, candy floss, fairground rides, an ice cream van. But adults (£13.50) have bars, street food and DJs playing after the show. The display is from 7.45pm, with doors opening at 6pm. Take a card — cash is mostly off the cards — and be prepared that while tickets can be bought on the gate, they’re pricier than booking in advance.
A week later but another option for those in Ealing. There’ll be fireworks (display about 7.30pm), street food, fairground rides, mulled wine and plenty of music, with doors opening from 5pm (there’s also a children’s disco from 5-7pm, and then again from 8pm). Cards are required for food and drink, but the rides only take cash. Tickets from £6.50 for children and £12.50 for adults, when booked in advance. They can be bought on the door but will cost more.
Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club
A busy one, this one, perfect for north Londoners. Doors open at 5.30pm, with food stalls and children’s rides offered, before the bonfire is lit at 6.30pm, and the display starts at 7.45pm. There’s a bar, hot food, and the party will keep on till 1am, with bars, bands and fire pits all promised. Tickets are £8 for kids, £12 for adults.
The Harrow fireworks celebration starts as a day festival, with free entry from noon till 3pm and on offer a fun-fair, inflatable park, face painting, glitter tattoos and a Henna station. There’ll also be pre-show live entertainment for children, and huge pop-up bar marquee. The pyrotechnics kick off at about 7.45pm. Entrance after 3pm costs £8 for children and students, and £10 for adults (prices rise if bought on the door).
At the home of Saracens, entrance is from 4.30pm, with the display from 6.30pm. Besides the display itself, expect music, performers, mascots and plenty of refreshments. Tickets from £6 for under-16s and £12.50 for adults.
With doors opening at 5pm, this one combines fireworks and a drone show, with plenty of food and drink, and funfair rides too, as well as a number of inflatables. Tickets are from £8.50 for children and £13 for adults.
Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average this weekend (Alamy/PA)
(P)/support.
Big news, this: Blackheath fireworks are back for the first time since 2018. In terms of size and scope, it’s a rival to Ally Pally: besides the 8pm display (doors from 5pm), there’s music from DJ Spoony, the Heavy Beat Brass Band and the Menendez Brothers, stand-up courtesy of the Big Belly Comedy Club, the crowd-pleasing Massaoke, a funfair boasting a starflyer, dodgems, twist, an extreme orbiter and more, plus a big top featuring Famous First Words, described as a game show and party rolled into one. There’s a plethora of food and drink going, including the Spud Bros. Tickets £5 for under-10s, £10 for 11 to 15-year-olds, and £16 for anyone over 16.
Warming mulled wine? Check. Bonfire? Check. Comfort Food? Check. The claim of south London’s biggest fireworks display sounds about right with Battersea’s big weekend line-up. Saturday night is the main event, with a Day of the Dead Party, Big Smoke Brass UK, firedancers and acrobats and a Masseoke after party. The family-oriented evening follows on November 2 featuring face paint and Shrek tribute band the Ogretones. On both nights, expect an excellent array of food and drink, and plenty of rides. On either day, tickets are £15 for adults and £9.50 for children, though under-5s go free.
Wimbledon and Morden parks
The two musical displays at Wimbledon and Morden get more extravagant each year, now with two shows, one family-friendly bash at 6.45pm and one at 8.30pm. Expect fireworks set to the biggest bangers of the last few decades, plus lots of food and drink and a fun fair. Doors open at 5.15pm, with tickets from £10 for children (under-5s go free) and £14 for adults.
November 5 atWimbledon Park, SW19 8AU; November 8 at Morden Park, SM4 5DX, merton.gov.uk
Last year’s line-up of food vendors was enough to get the crowds gathered at the Beckenham fireworks display, with souvlaki, Malaysian rice bowls, shawarma, jerk wraps and paella all on the menu. Expect similar diversity with the fare this year, with more than 20 stalls opening up, alongside two dazzling displays, one for younger children at 6pm with the main display at 7.15pm. Money raised goes to support local charities, including the 5th Beckenham South Scout Group. There’ll be a fun fair, too. Tickets for children £6 (under-5s free); adults £17. You’ll have to book them in advance, with no tickets available on the gate.
This low-key south London display is back, once again fundraising for the James Dixon School, with plenty of food and drink stalls to keep the cold at bay. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the display from 7pm, and everything wrapped up by 8pm. Given it’s a primary school, no alcohol will be available. Children’s tickets are £7 (four-and-under go free), adults £14. Tickets must be pre-booked.
Press handout
So popular is this one that they’re running displays for three nights. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday night event have already sold out, but there are still a handful available for Bonfire Night itself. Circus acts and firebreathers help make this event extra special, with a funfair, food stalls and carnival games too. On each night, there’s a children’s display as well as one for the adults later on. Doors open at 4pm, with the first, low-noise display at 6pm and the main show at 8pm. Tickets from 50p (under-5s) to £4.50 for 6 to 17-year-olds and £9.50 for adults.
Always a very family-friendly affair, things really start at Richmond at 4.30pm, before the glittering fireworks display, choreographed to a handful of well-known tunes, which begins at 7pm. Plenty of food and drink, too, as well as mulled wine. The funfair is a belter, too. Tickets from £7.50 for children, £12.50 for adults.
Another west London display with a community focus, raising funds as it does for the sports club. Expect a family-friendly affair with a traditional “Best Guy” Guy Fawkes competition, alongside mulled wine, hot dogs and live music from bluesman Papa George and his band. Look out for the huge bonfire. Tickets must be bought online, with doors opening at 5.30pm. Tickets £5.50 for children, £17.50 for adults.