Autumn was built for bonfires — so grab your flannel and find your way to Great Britain for Bonfire Night.
This national celebration — also called Guy Fawkes Night (but never Guy Fox Night!) — commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when the eponymous man failed to blow up Parliament and the King.
If visions of V for Vendetta come to mind, you’re not too far off.
Take a trip across the pond for the 5th of November powder keg of fun and celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in the UK.
Image Credit: Getty Images, oversnap. Image Location: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London
Bonfire Night explained: get to know Guy Fawkes
Guy Fox or Guy Fawkes?
A common misspelling for us Americans, who would pronounce the two spellings more or less the same. The name of the celebration on November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night.
What did Guy Fawkes do?
It’s not so much what Guy Fawkes did, but what he tried to do. By the 17th century, it was pretty much illegal to be a Catholic in Protestant England under King James I. Fawkes and a group of other Catholics planned to blow up Parliament, assassinate James I, and pray that the king’s daughter would marry a Catholic when she took the throne. The plan is known as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and was foiled when an anonymous tip led to Fawkes’ discovery and capture before he could light the barrels of gunpowder beneath the House of Lords.
Is Guy Fawkes a hero?
Guy Fawkes was a man who tried to assassinate a political figure in the name of religious freedom, and if successful, likely would have caused the death of hundreds more. Not unlike other tales from history, Guy Fawkes has evolved into a mythic character of sorts; a symbol of anti-government and rebelling. Is Guy Fawkes a hero or a villain? The character is certainly getting romanticized as a hero but the man is certainly on the naughty list for life for trying to off a head of state.
When is Bonfire Night?
Bonfire Night is celebrated on November 5th. Behind Christmas and Boxing Day, Bonfire Night is the easiest UK holiday date to remember, thanks to a poem written by John Milton:
"Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!"
Fireworks in Battersea Park, London. Image Credit: Getty Images, leospice
What is Bonfire Night in Britain?
Bonfire Night is celebrated on the 5th of November in Britain. It’s also known as Guy Fawkes Day and commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which Guy Fawkes and his Catholic co-conspirators attempted to assassinate the Protestant King and his ministers in Parliament. It’s celebrated with bonfires and fireworks displays.
Why is Guy Fawkes Day celebrated?
Despite the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 failing, it’s still celebrated annually on the 5th of November. The commemoration began on the first anniversary of the plot, with Brits celebrating Fawkes’ failure by lighting fireworks, effigies, and bonfires.
Is Bonfire Night celebrated in all of the UK?
No, Guy Fawkes Day is only celebrated in England, Scotland, and Wales. So all of Great Britain celebrates Guy Fawkes Day, but Northern Ireland (which completes the territory of the UK) doesn’t celebrate it. Northern Ireland celebrates an unrelated “bonfire night” in July.
Why do Brits wear poppies on Guy Fawkes day?
Red poppy flowers are worn in the UK on Remembrance Day (aka Poppy Day) to honor troops who died in wartime since WWI. Remembrance Day is November 11, so you’re not wrong to scratch your head at Brits wearing poppies on Guy Fawkes Day nearly a week prior. Some say you can wear poppies only starting on Guy Fawkes Day, others say anytime after Halloween is kosher, while still more think you should follow suit with whatever date the tastemakers in Buckingham Palace choose to sport the crimson flower.
Read also: Learn about the WWII D-Day beaches of Normandy before you visit
Is V for Vendetta movie based on Guy Fawkes?
Yes, the 2005 film V for Vendetta was inspired by the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. However, there’s a lot of fiction compared to fact. The writers of the graphic novel pulled inspiration from numerous historical accounts, including totalitarian regimes around the world. While Guy Fawkes mask symbolizes the real figure from history, you should watch or read V For Vendetta as a fun piece of fantasy, not historical fiction.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Pucci. Image Location: Hammersmith Bridge, London
Best Bonfire Night fireworks displays in London
You can see the best Bonfire Night fireworks displays throughout London. Battersea Park and Chiswick Park are popular spots, as are Wimbledon Park, Alexandra Palace, and Crystal Palace Park.
Looking for where to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in London? Here are a few Bonfire Night fireworks displays you don’t want to miss:
Battersea Park
Closest station: Battersea Park | Battersea Power Station
With the new Battersea Power Station shopping center just opened last year, Battersea Park is a great place to check out a hip new shopping experience in London and see one of the larger Guy Fawkes Night firework shows.
Wimbledon Park
Closest station: Wimbledon Park
Wimbledon may have passed this year but you should certainly pay a visit to Wimbledon Park for their music-focused event, fireworks and light show to give an alternative presentation to the traditional bonfire display.
Alexandra Palace
Closest station: Alexandra Palace
A little out of the way unless you’re a Tottenham Hotspurs fan (or visiting when the NFL comes to London), the Bonfire Night at Alexandra Palace is worth the train ride. For your extra minutes spent, you’ll be rewarded with a two-day laser, fireworks, and drone show, beer, bonfires, and views of London’s skyline.
Richmond Athletic Ground
Closest station: Richmond
Diamond Dogs, this year is your chance to bask in the glow of Bonfire Night in the fictional stomping grounds of Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond. Taking place the day after Bonfire Night (November 3), the Richmond Fireworks celebration is a family-friendly event with food, drink, and fair rides.
Walthamstow Cricket Tennis and Squash Club
Closest station: Wood Street (Overground)
If you’re attending Bonfire Night celebrations throughout the week, end it with a bang on the weekend of November 8 and 9. The Stow Firework Spectacular is a relatively new dual-display of children’s and adult’s firework shows. The last few years have sold out, so purchase your tickets fast.
Bonfire Night fireworks in Battersea Park, London. Image Credit: Getty Images, Kurosawa Michiyo
Where can I watch London fireworks for free?
No need to spend all of your souvenir money on fuzzy photos of fireworks. Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill are great — albeit, crowded — spots to watch free Bonfire Night 2024 fireworks in London and get a bang for your (lack of) buck.
Top tips for Bonfire Night in London
- Buy tickets in advance: Many of London’s bonfire celebrations are free, some sell tickets at the gate, and others sell tickets online in advance. Plan ahead and don’t wait to buy: it's essential to book at least a month in advance to secure a spot for the best firework shows.
- Expect crowds: Not only are the events themselves packed — especially at major Bonfire Night celebrations at Alexandra Palace and Wimbledon Park — but you’ll also stand shoulder-to-shoulder waiting on the tube.
- Consider alternate dates: Bonfire Night takes place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, but festivities are scheduled on other dates, too. For instance, the family-friendly Beckham Charity Fireworks show is on Saturday, November 2.
- Have a backup plan: You might roll up to a free event and reconsider joining such a large crowd. Make a list of your top three Bonfire Night events so you can pivot in a pinch.
- Enjoy more than just the fireworks: Many events include activities for all ages including seasonal food and drink options. Some sensory-friendly events limit the bright lights and booms, so rest assured that there’s a way for everyone to celebrate Bonfire Night at their comfort level.
- Remember, remember, Britain’s moody weather: British weather is unpredictable, with wet and cold conditions expected. Bring plenty of layers, including something waterproof, to stay comfortable.
Prefer to celebrate Bonfire Night in Britain beyond London? We can help. Download the Trainline app and buy a cheap train ticket to hundreds of destinations around Great Britain.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Franckreporter. Image Location: Tower Bridge, London