Where to Celebrate Bonfire Night in London 2023

Last updated: 25 December 2023

Each year, in the dark skies over London in early November, London comes alive with fireworks.  

This night marks the infamous historic moment when conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot, including Guy Fawkes and led by Robert Catesby, had planned to assassinate Protestant King James I by blowing up the Houses of Parliament and restoring a Catholic monarch to the throne of England. 

During a search of the House of Lords on 5 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.

The day has forever became known as Guy Fawkes Night, but it’s now more commonly known as simply, Bonfire Night.

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When is Bonfire Night?

Tradition has it that Bonfire Night is celebrated annually on or around 5 November, with many events held at a weekend near the date to maximise attendance. 

Bonfire Night Traditions

There are numerous Bonfire Night traditions, some are slightly more obscure than others. However, one word to sum up the effort of Bonfire Night is epic. 

With a time-honoured tradition of a procession through cobblestone streets with locals dressed in armour carrying flaming torches, smaller villages like those in Sussex (keep reading!) still burn effigies of hated public figures. A traditional scarecrow replica of Guy Fawkes usually makes an appearance, in honour of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, as well as celebrities who have routinely made headlines for the wrong reasons throughout the year, all go up in flames. Sometimes even to a themed soundtrack! 

Once processions are complete gazes go skyward as the dark November skies are filled with booming colourful fireworks. 

Unlike strict laws in countries like Australia, fireworks isn’t limited to licensed professionals.  I found it rather disconcerting that ordinary citizens can legally acquire fireworks from your local supermarket! It’s not unusual for fireworks to go off in residential streets throughout the week leading up to Bonfire Night. 

Traditional Bonfire Night Food

For those not out celebrating and buying food from vendors, but rather at home looking to celebrate with traditional Bonfire Night food, then consider these: 

Parkin

Often described as the Yorkshire version of gingerbread, this cake is a rather sticky and moist sponge cake flavoured with mixed spices, nutmeg, oatmeal and ginger. You can use syrupy molasses, or the less bitter substitute of black treacle. Parkin recipe

Baked Potatoes (yes really!)

Jacket potatoes became popular in the 1800s when they were sold on the of London during the cooler months. Wrapped in foil, tossed into the bonfire and retrieved after an hour or so. Carefully cut it open and serve with your choice of filling. – Tuna & mayo, chilli con carne, butter & cheese are popular choices. 

Toffee

Known as Bonfire Toffee or Plot Toffee. With an intense traditional flavour and jaw-breaking qualities it consists of butter, brown sugar, black treacle, golden syrup and little else.  It’s simple to make but approach with caution as hot toffee reaches high temperatures of 140°C. 

Bonfire Night in London

In big city centres like London, Bonfire Night is a family-friendly activity with vendors set up selling food, drinks and glow sticks, flashing batons, luminous wands. For more funfair there’s often live music, fairground rides for kids and sometimes a local radio station doing a live broadcast. 

If you’re looking to experience Bonfire Night outside London, then we recommend heading to Sussex. 

Counties of Sussex and Kent hold huge scale affairs with bonfires, festivals and parades through the streets with a calendar of events known as “bonfire season”, running for ten weeks through September, October and November. 

The biggest celebration is in the village of Lewes in Sussex.  It’s not as simple as some fireworks and a bonfire, no no. In Lewes, they take Bonfire Night to a whole new level. 

With bonfire societies parading through the streets in full costume and often carrying flaming torches, there’s a long standing tradition of burning of tar barrels and tossing them into the river, plus bonfires blazing with ferocity on the beach, and of course the torching effigies. 

The narrow medieval streets and tiny twittens of this market town become very crowded as visitors try and catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Despite the crowds, it’s well worth the experience.

If Lewes seems a little too much for you, then consider visiting some of the smaller towns. We visited Firle in East Sussex a number of years ago and still, to this day, remember the event fondly.

Where to Celebrate Bonfire Night in London in 2023

Bonfire Night from the Thames

Experiencing Bonfire Night from the River Thames is something that just needs to be done, at least once in a lifetime. If this is something your contemplating then check out this link with details on how to make your booking.  

If you’re interesting in cruising the Thames during a visit to London in general then this river cruise is one of our favourites. Start at Westminster Pier, spend two hours cruising past some of London’s iconic landmarks. Book it!

London Fireworks

Central London Fireworks

Battersea

A big hitter, and one of London’s biggest firework displays, Battersea Park will be where to go to experience the exciting fireworks display, huge bonfire, and plus a host of other entertainment activities like a live DJ, street food stalls, and fairground rides. 

Taking place over two nights – Saturday 4 November for Bonfire Night and Sunday 5 November for Family Night – Battersea   

Battersea Power Station, the nearby Grade II-listed architectural masterpiece, operated until 1983. It has been given a new lease on life after a comprehensive redevelopment project which has converted it into a food and culture destination. Grab a bite to eat here before heading to the fireworks.

Sat 4 Nov | £12.30 | Info

North London Fireworks

Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace)

Lovingly referred to as “the Glastonbury of Fireworks”, the Firework Festival at Alexandra Palace (aka Ally Pally) offers visitors fabulous views of London and has been setting off fireworks into London’s skyline for over 159 years and is widely considered to be London’s best!

 and a jam-packed cavalcade of experiences on offer (including ice skating, Lords of Lightning, German Bier Festival, and DJ sets), it’s easy to say that this bonfire night will be a lively affair.

The two day extravaganza, taking place over Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November, will see both nights with a fireworks display at 9pm Friday and 8pm on Saturday plus a fairground, live performers (such as the Lords of Lightning, and an ice skating rink.  If that’s not enough to keep you entertained, don your Lederhosen or your Dirndl for a large German Beer Festival in the Great Hall.

Tickets depend on what you want to experience at the Firework Festival and there are various ticket packages depending on your preferences. If you’re just interested in watching the fireworks then an adult ticket will cost £17 but combining it with ice skating will cost you £23.50. It’s completely up to you so check out the various ticket packages available. 

Fri 1 Nov & Sat 2 Nov | £17 | Info

Wembley & Harrow Diwali Fireworks Display

This family-friendly festival celebrates Diwali and Bonfire Night with live performances, a musical fireworks set, a dance team, and a comprehensive fireworks display across Wembley Park. Gates open at 12pm and there is FREE entry before 3pm. If arriving after 3pm and buying tickets at the gate then be advised that it’s cash only. 

Sat 4 Nov | £10 online & £15 at the gate | Info

East London Fireworks

Victoria Park

Personally our favourite place to watch Bonfire Night fireworks in London was Victoria Park in East London. Unfortunately, for the fourth year in a row, the Victoria Park fireworks have been cancelled. It is our sincere hope that they do return in the future because it used to be visited by 80,000 people and it was always a fun night out, as you can see from the below video.

South London Fireworks

Beckenham

The Beckenham Fireworks in the Park is a family-friendly affair with a quieter pyrotechnic display for younger children at 6pm before the big bang at 7.45pm and has been running for over 75 years. Also on offer is a funfair and a collection of food stalls, which includes both vegetarian and vegan options, and means that there is plenty for everyone to enjoy on a fun night out in London. 

Tickets will only be available online and cannot be purchased on the gate so make sure you book in advance. 

Sat 4 Nov | £15 | Info 

West London Fireworks

Wimbledon

One of the largest fireworks displays in London. There also is a sister show at Morden Park, with two shows at each venue, an early show more suitable for families and a fuller programme in the later show. 

Sat 4 Nov | £10.70 | Info 

Morden Park

The sister show of Wimbledon Park. Expect to be wowed by a light show and fire performers #flameoz and #halo, brilliant and exciting new warm up acts to the main display.

Sun 5 Nov | £10.70 | Info

Kempton Park

Expect a fun-filled family event with a DJ, performers, food and drink concession stands and of course the spectacular firework display, set to magical-themed tunes. 

Sat 4 Nov | £10 | Info

Ravenscourt Park

Whilst not technically fireworks, Ravenscourt Park will be offering something pretty unique for visitors to the Fawkes Festival, a laser-light-sound extravaganza set to film scores and classic movie music to deliver a truly unique experience. 

There will be showings at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm so you can pick the time that works best for you and your family, whether that’s early or late, or all of them! Pick what works for you. Also on offer will be an array of foodie treats, activities, and experiences so you can make a night of it.  

Sat 3-4 Nov | £13.88 | Info

Tips for a Fantastic Bonfire Night

• Many, not all, Bonfire Night events in London are ticketed. Book ahead to guarantee entry.
• If you plan to eat/drink on site, be sure to take some cash. Not all vendors have card facilities and there’s no cash-points in the middle of parks.
• Prearrange a meeting point with your group should you be separated.
• Dress warm! I tend to dress for Arctic conditions because just a few hours standing around in the park will chill you to the bone. Grab a winter hat, gloves, warm shoes and a solid, preferably waterproof coat. Should the wind change you could be covered in fireworks/bonfire smoke and that is hard to get rid of.
• If taking small children, ensure they know the meeting point if separated from the group. It’s also a good idea to equip them with a GPS enabled phone in their backpack so you can track their location and/or have them wear an ID bracelet with phone numbers on their wrist.
• #1 tip: HAVE FUN!

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