There’s a huge range of Bonfire Night events this year from big, free for all, council run displays to children’s fireworks, ticketed-only events and fundraising conflagrations. In many cases there’s also funfairs and food to go with the fireworks. Here’s our guide to displays around the boroughs.
Bonfire Night Fireworks at Battersea Power Station back in 2012. Photo by Torsten Reimer on Flickr
Barking & Dagenham
Barking & East London Round Table hosts a charity firework display on Saturday 1 November in Barking Park. Gates open at 5.30pm, display at 8pm. There will be live entertainment from 6pm, featuring Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford plus Sam Knight and Jazz Blaack. Tickets can be bought on the night and cost £5/£1.
Barnet
The 6th Friern Barnet Scouts prove it’s not just cricket in Barnet; their fireworks night is Saturday 8 November at the Frith Grange Campsite in Hendon. Gates at 6pm, display starts at 7.15 pm. Tickets are £5, you can pay on the door.
Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club‘s bonfire and fireworks display is on Friday 7 November. The fun starts at 7.30pm
Finchley Cricket Club opens its gates on Saturday 8 November for a bonfire, fireworks, food and games. Fireworks are due to start at 7pm. £4 per person or £9 for a family of 3 or more.
Bexley
Welling Round Table run the Danson Park Fireworks on Saturday 1 November. There’s a funfair and live music from 6pm; fireworks start at 8pm. Tickets in advance cost £6/£4 or can be bought on the door the same day for £10/£5.
Brent
Want to try something different? Celebrate the Hindu Festival of Diwali at Neasden Temple on Thursday 23 October. The colourful and visual celebration takes place at Gibbons Park with a display from 8.30pm to 9pm. Then you’ll have time to celebrate Guy Fawkes.
There are two displays at Roundwood Park on Wednesday 5 November: one at 7pm for children with the main display at 8pm. All free. On the day, there will also be a funfair and stalls selling food and drinks.
Bromley
You’re spoiled for choice in Bromley. On Saturday 1 November you can choose between two different options:
- Chislehurst Rotary Club‘s fireworks at The Glebe Football Club start at 7.30pm. Tickets in advance cost £6/£3 or £15 for a family, you can also buy them on the door: prices are £7/£4 (though please note: family tickets are not available at the gate).
- Beckenham Round Table‘s fireworks take place at Croydon Road Recreation Ground. Gates open at 6pm and the display starts at 8pm. Prices for adults and concessions are still TBC, while children go free.
On Wednesday 5 November, Crystal Palace Park gates open at 6pm with a children’s display at 7pm and bigger bangers at 8.30pm. Tickets in advance are £6/£4, children under 3 go free. If you buy on the door, the price is £7/£5, children under 3 go free. Please note that there are parking charges.
West Wickham Rotary Club has organised a Bonfire Night firework display happening on Saturday 8 November. The display takes place at Langley Park Girls School, price tbc.
Camden
Coram’s Fields has a fireworks display for children starting at 5.15pm on Friday 7 November, and it’s free.
Once the scene of one of the best displays in London, Primrose Hill is now just a decent vantage point for admiring other fireworks.
City of London
The Lord Mayor’s Show ends with fireworks again this year, starting 5.15pm on Saturday 8 November. Best views are between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges.
Croydon
Caterham Round Table‘s firework display, bonfire and torchlight procession takes place on Saturday 1 November in Dene Field. Events start at 6pm while the torch procession kicks off at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5, children go free.
Ealing
Music from stage and screen will accompany fireworks at Ealing Cricket Club on Saturday 8 November. Gates open 6pm for the display at 7.45pm. Is it too early for mulled wine? Not if you’re watching whizzbangs in the cold surely. £6/£4.
Enfield
Enfield Scouts are organising their 39th display in the Town Park – they promise over 10,000 fireworks and half a ton of gunpowder. It’s on Saturday 1 November, doors 6pm, fireworks from 7.30pm, £5/£3.
Walker Cricket Ground in Southgate raises funds for its associated charity on Saturday 8 November. Tickets in advance cost: £6/£3 and £15 for family or on the door £7/£4 and £22 for family. There’s food, entertainment, rides and fireworks from 5pm, display is at 8pm.
Greenwich
We think your best bet is Blackheath, but if you know of any other Greenwich displays, let us know.
Hackney
This year, the borough of Hackney will host its first public fireworks display after ten years of inactivity. The celebration takes place at Clissold Park on Saturday 8 November, featuring a special pyromusical display. Tickets are £7.50/£2.50 for locals and £8.50/£3.50 for everyone else, you need to buy them in advance. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 7.30pm.
Hammersmith & Fulham
Fireworks are superhero themed in Hammersmith & Fulham: first in Bishop’s Park on Friday 7 November, with a children’s display 7.15pm and the big ones at 8pm (£6 advance/£7/8 on the gate), then in Ravenscourt Park on Saturday 8 November, same times and prices.
Alexandra Palace lit by fireworks.
Haringey
Fireworks are back at Ally Pally! Head up there Saturday 1 November for skating, street food, fair, a German Bier Festival and bangers from 7.30pm. Gates open 3pm, tickets in advance cost £7/£4 or £8/£5.50 on the door — please note that your ticket doesn’t include entrance to the ice-skating ring or the German Bier Festival.
Harrow
Head to Byron Park on Saturday 8 November for family fun and fireworks, from 3pm. Main display is at 7.45pm: tickets can be bough in advance and are £6/£5, family pays £10.
Havering
Members of TOWIE set off the fireworks at Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club on Friday 31 October, hosting a Halloween-themed event as well. Gates will open from 5pm and the display will start at 8pm: expect music and children activities. Tickets can be bought in advance and are £8/£5 and £20 for a family.
The 3rd Havering Scouts fireworks at St James Church in Romford is on Saturday 1 November, from 7pm for a display at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the gate and cost £3.50/£1.50 and £8 for families.
Hillingdon
1st Ickenham Scouts have their display, set to pop and classical music, on 2 November. Hot and cold snacks and drinks are available and the show lasts approximately 30 minutes. Tickets must be purchased in advance at £5 each or get 5 for £20. Gates will be open at 6pm for a 7pm start.
Brunel University holds its annual fireworks night on Wednesday 5 November at the Cemetery pitches on Kingston Lane, open to members of the university and the local community. There are more food and drink outlets this year, and the Circus Society will be on hand providing entertainment. Gates open at 5pm and the display begins at 7pm. Tickets are £4 for adults and £3 for children.
Hounslow
Kempton Fireworks go off on Saturday 8 November at 8pm, with gates and funfair from 6pm. Tickets are £7 in advance or £9 on the night.
Islington
Once again we can’t find any fireworks in Islington. If you know better, tell us in the comments.
Kensington & Chelsea
The council website doesn’t flag up anything specific for this year. Maybe nip next door to Hammersmith & Fulham?
Kingston
Kingston upon Thames Round Table & Rotary Club light up the sky on Friday 7 November at Kingsmeadow Stadium. There’s a funfair from 6.30pm and the display starts at 8pm. Tickets in advance are £4 or £5 on the day.
Lambeth
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens host their annual Fire Festival on Friday 31 October. There will be a live show during the night with dancers, fire performers and explosive fireworks alongside with mulled wine and food stalls. A bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, free to everyone.
The annual display at Brockwell Park takes place on Wednesday 5 November, starting at 5pm. As well as the 20-minute display by by Titanium Fireworks (who were responsible for the Olympic opening ceremony display), there’s a 7m high lighthouse bonfire, a giant mechanical fire bird and Human Catherine Wheel shows by Emergency Exit Arts. Tickets are £7 and £6 for Lambeth residents, you can buy them in advance.
Lewisham
Blackheath Fireworks is one of the most popular shows in the city. There will be a funfair from 4pm, food and drink available from 5pm and, finally, display at 8pm.
Merton
Merton has two main Guy Fawkes displays. The first takes place at Morden Park on Saturday 1 November, gates open at 5.15pm and the fireworks start at 6.45pm with an Ice and Magic theme. Second is Wimbledon Park on Wednesday 5 November, gates open at 5.15pm, display at 8.30pm. Advanced tickets are £8/£6 or £25 for a family and £10/£8 on the night — but no family tickets available on the night.
Newham
There’s a free display of fireworks and lasers at Wanstead Flats in Forest Gate on Saturday 1 November. Gates open 5.30pm, pyros from 6.30pm with plenty of food available.
Fireworks in Blackheath, by Kieron Heldson on Flickr
Redbridge
Barnardo’s firework display at Barkingside Recreation Ground is Wednesday 5 November. The first fireworks, for children, start at 6.30pm followed by another at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the gate and cost £5/£3.
Richmond upon Thames
Dress as Guy Fawkes and head to Barnes Sports Club, where there will be a lot of noise and lights alongside a fancy dress competition (judging at 6.45pm on the night). The event takes place on Saturday 1 November: display with music starts at 7.45pm, gates from 5.30pm. Tickets are £10/£5 and £25 for a family.
The big one in Richmond is at the Athletic Ground on Sunday 2 November. Fireworks start at 7pm; for £12 you can get a grandstand seat, for the rest it’s £10/£7.
Totally Richmond rounds up the many other local displays happening.
Southwark
The Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe hosts a Midnight Apothecary Bonfire Night special on Saturday 1 November with themed cocktails, firepit, a Greek food pop-up and sparklers. Doors open 5.30pm, entry £5 (prebook) and includes toasted marshmallows.
Dulwich Sports Club has a bonfire and fireworks on Saturday 1 November with BBQ, mulled wine and real ale. Doors at 5pm, display from 7pm. It’s £5 and free for kids under 10, you can get tickets directly on the night.
Southwark’s Free Fireworks Night takes place at Southwark Park on Wednesday 5 November. Gates open at 5.30pm for a display starting at 7pm. During the night, there will be pop tunes, fire and light circus performances and a family funfair. Hot drinks and food plus luminous paraphernalia will all be available to buy on-site.
Sutton
Wallington and Carshalton Round Table put on the Carshalton fireworks, Saturday 8 November. Gates open 5pm, fireworks at 7pm, tickets are £5 in advance and £7.50 on the night. All profits from the event will be donated to local charities.
Tower Hamlets
The free display at Weavers Fields starts at 7pm on Sunday 2 November for a promised audio-visual extravaganza. No funfair but some refreshment will be available for purchase.
Waltham Forest
The Royal Gunpowder Mills has a weekend of learning about pyrotechnics and the Guy Fawkes story on 8-9 November, 10am-5pm both days. There will be re-enactments from the period, craft activities and the ‘Ghost of Guy Fawkes’ children’s play. Tickets can be bought in advance and cost £8.55/£6.75.
Watch fireworks explode over Walthamstow Town Hall at Chestnuts Fields on Wednesday 5 November, for free. Doors open at 6.30pm for a display starting at 8pm. On the night, there will be music during the display alongside food and drink stalls.
Wandsworth
You have to buy tickets in advance for the Battersea Park fireworks on Saturday 8 November: prices start at £6.50 and go up to £10. Note that they won’t sell tickets on the door. Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire’s lit at 7.30pm and the fireworks go off from 8pm.
Westminster
Nothing that we know of, but if you know better, please let us know.
What have we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
