Bonfire night events
To celebrate Bonfire Night, England's towns and cities play host to Fireworks Extravaganzas. Wrap up warm and check out our selection of the best!
Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations
5 November 2008 - 17:30
The small town of Lewes in Sussex celebrates the downfall of the gunpowder plot in 1605 with an enthusiasm unrivalled across England but there is a lot more to the festivities than a few fireworks and a bonfire.
Cranleigh Bonfire and Firework Display
1 November 2008
Just south of London, a fantastic bonfire night celebration fills the streets of Cranleigh in Surrey. Thousands of people carry flaming torches in an evening procession to the bonfire site, where fireworks fill the night sky.
London
Fireworks at Alexandra Palace
Saturday 8November 2008
It might seem somewhat surprising that a building that suffered greatly in two destructive fires should be known as a venue for some of the biggest fireworks displays in the capital, but every year Alexandra Palace stages a fantastic display to mark the demise of Guy Fawkes.
Fireworks at Battersea Park
Saturday 1 November 2008
Bonfire starts at 19:30
Fireworks start at 20:00
The Son et Lumiere promises to be the best ever with spectacular fireworks set to a music and light display. The theme for 2008 will be Paint the Whole World with a Rainbow.
Victoria Park Fireworks Display
Sunday 2 November 2008
Entertainment: Funfair from 14:00, Bonfire at 19:30
and an ornate pagoda, Victoria Park- is a fantastic place to catch all the flashes, bangs and sparkles in celebration of Bonfire Night.
South West
Bristol Charity Fireworks Fiesta
3 Nov 2008
Bonfire 19:00; fireworks 19:30
The sky above The Downs fills with noise and colour for the annual Bristol Charity Fireworks Fiesta, celebrating the historic demise of Guy Fawkes.
Burning Barrels - Ottery St Mary
5 Nov 2008
Children's barrels at 4.30pm, then women, then men, at about 9pm
A 17th-century tradition to rid the streets of evil spirits is revived every year as fearless men, women and children run through Ottery St Mary carrying blazing tar barrels.
Grand Firework Display at Poole Quay
Programme starts 16:30; fireworks 19:45
The seaside town of Poole celebrates Guy Fawkes night with an impressive pyrotechnic display over the waters of the Quay. Live bands and street entertainers keep the crowd amused before the grand firework finale.
East of England
Cambridge Bonfire Night on Midsummer Common
5 Nov 2008
Free admission
Fireworks 7.30pm
The Cambridge bonfire night at Midsummer Common has been run for over 20 years by the city council and claims to be the biggest free firework display in East Anglia, attracting around 30,000 spectators every year.
East Midlands
Abbey Park Bonfire & Firework Display - Leicester
Saturday 1st November 2008
Featuring: Meet Dora the Explorer & Boots the Monkey; The Light Ensemble – illuminated stilt walkers; Light Fantastic – spectacular choreographed fire performance; Plus Leicester Sound presenters, live music on stage, food stalls, children’s funfair and entertainers.
Yorkshire
Bonfire & Firework Display at Roundhay Park, Leeds
5 November 2008
Once again tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at Roundhay Park to enjoy Leeds’ biggest bonfire and fireworks event. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm and the explosive fireworks display will start at 8pm.
After Dark & Fireworks at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield
5 November 2008 - Gates open: 17:30
Celebrate the demise of Guy Fawkes and his cronies at the After Dark fireworks spectacular at Sheffield's Don Valley Grass Bowl. Attractions include a bonfire, family funfair, fire jugglers, music by Real Radio to accompany the display, food and drink.
Annual Fireworks Spectacular at Lightwater Valley, Ripon
1 November 2008
Entry into the theme park after 1:00pm (plus the fireworks) is great value at £7.95, but this must be pre-booked. Entry into the park after 4:00pm for the ‘fireworks and fairground’ package is £4.95 when pre-paid.
North East England
Durham Bonfire Night at Aykley Heads
5 Nov 2008
The Aykley Heads Police Headquarters organise the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations in Durham, featuring fireworks and a bonfire. Refreshments are available and there's ample parking at County Hall.
Bonfire & Fireworks Display at Saltwell Park, Ryton
5 November 2008
The bonfire will be lit at 19:00 and will be followed by a spectacular 20 minute high level firework display that all the family can enjoy on a safely marshalled site in Gateshead at 19:30.
Darlington Fireworks Spectacular
1 November 2008
Held in South Park, the free Darlington Fireworks Spectacular with music and laser accompaniment attracts thousands of people every year. As well as the massive bonfire there are children's fairground rides and a radio roadshow.
England's Northwest
Carlisle Fireshow at Bitts Park
1 November 2008 - 19:00
Exploding high above Bitts Park on the banks of the River Eden, the Fireshow is Carlisle's traditional bonfire night celebration, remembering Guy Fawkes' terrorist plot. Most of Carlisle turns out to see the display.
Leyland Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks Spectacular
5 November 2008
One of the northwests most spectacular firework displays- come to the 38th Annual Leyland Round Table Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular and see the skies above Leyland come to life as we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night at Worden Park, Leyland.
Bonfire Night Fireworks at Sefton Park, Liverpool
5 November 2008
Fireworks explode to music during Liverpool's spectacular Bonfire Night events, which take place at Sefton Park, Walton Hall Park and Newsham Park. Up to 100,000 people come from all over the city and the surrounding area to enjoy the displays. All the displays start at 7.30pm and last for around 20 minutes.