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Oooooohh, Ahhhh…. Brilliant Bonfire Night Events

Remember, remember the fifth of November! Bonfire night is an annual event held on the 5th of November to commemorate the unsuccessful attempt to blow up the houses of parliament in 1605.

Often celebrated with firework displays and bonfires, this event (also known as Guy Fawkes Night) gets bigger and better every year, with villages, towns and cities gathering for a thrilling night of ooooh’s and ahhhh’s. You can enjoy exuberant processions and colourful displays, all while enjoying deliciously warming food and drink.

Due to their ever-growing popularity, these celebrations often run from early September to late November so there’s a good chance you’ll get to experience a handful of exciting events over the autumn months.

Sussex

Wrap up warm for an adventure in the seaside town of Hastings. Roads are closed to accommodate a torch-lit procession, made up of hundreds of volunteers from the Hastings Borough Bonfire Society. Watch as the town is illuminated with a display of colourful fireworks or have the kids take part in a guy-making competition, then watch the winning entry burn on the bonfire.

Hastings is just one of the many FREE bonfire events held in Sussex, we also highly recommend experiencing all on offer in Eastbourne town or the quaint towns of Battle and Lewes.

Kent

One of the biggest firework displays in the UK is held at Leeds castle in Maidstone. The 2-day event, held on the 2nd and 3rd of November 2019, is set to thrill - as the sky is lit with 25,000 fireworks! Each year adopts a different theme, with this year’s tribute to ‘Around the world’. The event will include live music, a maze and play area with a ton of food and drink! There is no bonfire scheduled but with so much else on, the experience is like no other.

One of our personal favourites, just a stone’s throw from our holiday park in Birchington, is another exciting bonfire celebration, taking place in Quex Park. Also held on the 2nd of November 2019 with multiple firework displays throughout the evening (one set to 80’s music), a bonfire and Bon Jovi tribute band!

Devon

Devon hosts ‘The Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary’ which is one of the oldest and quirkiest bonfire night events in the UK and attracts thousands of people from all over. Not for the faint-hearted, tar soaked barrels weighing up to 5 stone are set alight and carried through the town! With crowds of at least 15,000 people, processions have been moved to alternative days to accommodate the main event.

‘Barrel rollers’ are Ottery locals and picked as families of previous generations who took part in the event - even children as young as 7 have participated! As expected, due to the large crowds and intense, adrenaline-filled environment, it’s recommended those using pushchairs/wheelchairs do not attend.

Are you brave enough?

Suffolk

Fancy something more intimate? Felixstowe Firework Spectacular promises stunning views. With a 20-minute professional firework display, bring the kids for an exciting evening as colours light up the sky. Perfect for those with smaller children, and without the huge crowds of some of the larger events.

There are so many fantastic bonfire night events around the country, whether you’re looking for a lively evening or an intimate celebration. Which one will you be attending?

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