Bonfire Night – Guy Fawkes

Last updated: 15 July 2023

I never quite ‘got it‘ until we moved to London.  My first introduction to Bonfire night was watching V for Vendetta. V just seemed like a misunderstood maimed masked man who quoted cute poems like this:

“Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot.”

― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

So for those that don’t know the history of Bonfire night,

The story goes like this…

Guy Fawkes and other members of the Gunpowder Plot had planned to assassinate King James I by blowing up Parliament and restoring a Catholic monarch to the throne of England.

During a search of the House of Lords on 4 November 1605, Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder—enough to reduce the House of Lords to rubble.  He was subsequently arrested, convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Nowadays, firework displays and bonfire parties are common throughout England on 5 November.  Council’s have major firework displays as well as private gardens too.  Often effigies of Fawkes are burned throughout the celebrations. 

Bonfire virgin

My first Bonfire Night was celebrated in Blackheath, South East London. It’s one of the country’s biggest fireworks displays.  The event was sold to me as an epic fireworks display. As I’ve spent many a years celebrating NYE on Sydney harbour, my expectations were pretty high.

I stood in a field, in the cold and watched fireworks light up the black sky. There was no harbour, no boats floating in my line of sight and yet my heart still pounded with anticipation and excitement. Kids ran around eating fairy floss and the field wearing masks.  Masks with a wide moustache, rosy cheeks and a slightly disturbed oversized smile yet provided a feeling of odd familiarity.  A familiarity that I now know as Guy Fawkes masks.

You’ve got to commend the commitment of the Council and locals alike. It was bloody freezing and yet everyone was in good spirits.  It’s well worth the trip out.  Celebrations are country wide so if you’re not in London, fear not, this darkness will not last forever. There is fireworks enough for all.

The Essentials

• When: The actual day is 5 November. Bonfires typically celebrated on the Saturday before or after. Check local council guides for exact dates and times. Some events are free, others aren’t.
• Where: There’s several big celebrations around London.  Names to look out for are: Hackney, Blackheath, Southwark, Lambeth, Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally)  Battersea Park, Richmond.
• Most details are still to be confirmed.  This post will be updated as information is released.
• The crème de la crème of Bonfire night is the Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks. A procession weaves its way through central London. There’s two places to get a look at the newly elected Lord Mayor. Once at St Paul’s Cathedral and the other is at the Royal Courts of Justice where they stop to swear an oath of allegiance.
• When all the pomp and ceremony is all done there is always an ostentatious fireworks display along the Thames.
• Outside London? The biggest celebration is in Lewes, Sussex.  Burning of tar barrels and tossing them into the river is a long standing tradition.  Bonfires on the beach, and torching effigies are just the beginning.  Streets are narrow and crowded but well worth the experience.
• Verdict:  If you’re anything like me and an avid lover of pyrotechnics you should have a good time.  But does it beat NYE on Sydney Harbour? No way Jose.