Firework displays in the UK are some of the best, and going to fireworks in the UK is one of the best things to do for Bonfire Night 2024! If you’re looking for the best places to visit in the UK to see the fireworks for Guy Fawkes Night, this is the post for you. 

Autumn, nature, time in the countryside or by the coast (along with a strong chance of rain to spice things up) make for an exciting UK adventure. Add to that the traditions of Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night 2024, and you’re in for an absolute treat of a weekend away. 

With so many beautiful places to visit in the UK, stunning National Parks in the UK and walks and hikes in the UK, autumn is a great time to enjoy the weather before it gets too cold, and spend some more time outside. Nothings quite beats wrapping up warm with a hot drink and watching the magical fireworks displays in the night sky. 

If you and your best friend are looking for another weekend of memories, watching some of the best fireworks displays in the UK is guaranteed to give you exactly that. If you’ve done Guy Fawkes Night with your bestie, check out 35 bucket list adventures to go on with your best friend here. Bonfire Night 2024 will definitely be one for your friendship scrapbook: the title “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” with some cute selfies of you in front of the fireworks immediately springs to mind! 

Gosh, I’m excited as I write this. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some of the best fireworks displays in the UK that you should consider visiting for Bonfire Night 2024. 

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What is Guy Fawkes Night? What is Bonfire Night?

Bonfire Night originates from the day that Guy Fawkes tried and failed to blow up the House of Parliament in 1605 with gunpowder. The gunpowder plot was part of an on going feud between the Catholics and Protestants. Nowadays we commemorate Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night with fireworks, because gunpowder is found in these too. The dummy man or fiture that you’ll see on bonfires across the country is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes. 

Bonfire Night is traditionally on 5th November each year, although when the big fireworks displays in the UK happens can change slightly if this falls this week. 

Bonfire Night 2021 is Friday 5th November, and most events will happen between Friday 5th-Sunday 7th November. 

Top tips for Bonfire Night 2021…

• Wrap up warm! It’s November, so it’ll be chilly! 
• Book your tickets in advance. Many Bonfire Night 2021 events are ticketed and won’t be allowing you to buy tickets on the door. 
• Enjoy ALL the fun! Most events are more than a fireworks display! Get involved with other things going on at each event, or make a weekend out of it to get to know the area. 
• Take cash. Many stalls at fireworks displays in the UK won’t take cards. 
• Check what you can bring. Certain events won’t allow you to bring e.g. sparklers or alcohol on site. 

Bonfire Night 2021: The best fireworks displays in the UK…

1. Alexandra Palace, London: Ally Pally’s Fireworks Festival

• When: Saturday 6th November, 16:00-22:45
• Where: Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY
• 
  Tickets: from £13.50 (click here to buy)

Spend the morning getting brunch in London or walking around the markets in London before you head to Alexandra Palace for Bonfire Night 2021! Ally Pally’s Fireworks Festival is said to be one of the best fireworks displays in the UK. With absolutely stunning panoramic views over London, it’s also recommended as one of the best fireworks displays in London! it’d be a pretty good date night in London, just saying…

And it’s not just a fireworks display… there’s so much more fun to be had for Bonfire Night at Alexandra Palace! Expect a Light Show, dancing, a huge bonfire, an Ice Disco, a funfair, and fire jugglers as well as the German Bier Fest where you can enjoy a drink and listen to tribute bands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMPmBzHb-nE

EXPLORE LONDON ON MY BLOG HERE

2. Lewes Bonfire Celebrations, Sussex

• When: Friday 5th November, 16:00-23:30
• Where: Lewes, Sussex, across several locations
• Tickets: buy from any independent retailer/pub in the town or the Lewes tourist information centre or the Cliffe Precinct area

Lewes Bonfire is one of the most famous Bonfire Night celebrations in the UK, and somewhere that you definitely want to be for Bonfire Night 2021! 

Famous for its burning of religious and cultural effigies, burning crosses and pagan style parade, attending the Lewes Bonfire is definitely one of the most unique things to do in England. They’ve even burned effigies of politicians before! 

Lewes Bonfire events are run by 7 bonfire societies, and you need specific tickets for each one, so be careful when you’re choosing which one to buy. The event can get extremely busy, so please make sure you book accommodation and check travel arrangements well in advance. 

Check out my winter weekend in a shepherd’s hut in Sussex here. 

3. Legoland Fireworks Spectacular, Windsor

• When: Friday 5th-Sunday 7th November, 10:00-19:00
• Where: Legoland, Windsor, SL4 4AY
• 
  Tickets: from £44 (click here to buy)

Legoland might be primarily for kids, but they put on a really good fireworks display too! And this year, they’re adding their 25th birthday to the Bonfire Night 2021 celebrations, so it’s set to be a good one! 

Your ticket includes a full day at the park, and if you book for Bonfire Night 2021 now, you can get a free ticket for Bonfire Night 2022!

Check out my guide to a day trip to Windsor here.

4. Dulwich Sports Club, London: Eco-friendly bonfire

• When: Saturday 6th November, 17:00-19:30
• Where: Dulwich Sports Club, London, SE24 9HP
• 
  Tickets: £10 (click here to buy)

A real bonfire and sparklers have been banned from this Bonfire Night 2021 celebration to make this one of the most eco-friendly firework displays in the UK. Instead, a huge bonfire will be displayed on a screen. Fireworks are still allowed though! 

And hey, this event finishes earlier than most, you so you can head into the city and grab some cocktails in London afterwards!

See more eco-friendly travel tips here. 

EXPLORE LONDON ON MY BLOG HERE

5. Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular, Kent

• When: Saturday 6th & Sunday 5th November, from 17:30
• Where: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL
• 
  Tickets: from £23 (click here to buy, note: sold out for 2021)

If you’re looking for the ultimate place to celebrate Bonfire Night 2021, Leeds Castle is the place to be. This is said to be one of the biggest fireworks displays in South East England and not one you want to miss. Tickets give you exclusive entry to the class (closed to the general public for the weekend). This year the Leeds Castle fireworks display is space-themed and will see projections displayed on the castle as part of the show, before it ends “with a mesmerising lighting finale” all set to music you can sing along to.

Confusingly, Leeds Castle is in Kent, not in Leeds! If you’re heading to Leeds in Yorkshire, see my 35 top things to do in Leeds here. 

6. Bonfire Night at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

• When: Saturday 30th-Sunday 31st October, 18:00-21:30
• Where: Chatsworth House, Bakewell, DE45 1PP
• 
  Tickets: £16 (click here to buy, note: Saturday sold out)

Bonfire Night 2021 at Chatsworth House is actually taking place during half-term over the Halloween weekend, making it one of the best things to do in England for Halloween. Wrap up warm to enjoy two fireworks displays, a traditional bonfire, and some spooky surprises! 

Check out my complete guide to the Peak District National Park, England

7. Skinningrove Bonfire, Yorkshire

• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Where: Skinningrove, Yorkshire, TS13 4BJ
• Tickets: free

Skinningrove Bonfire is not only one of the best fireworks displays in the UK because of the show they put on (featuring a huge centerpiece made up of themed wooden structures, as well as a stunning fireworks display), but it is a free, community-led event. It really is a ‘bonfire with a difference’!. 

Unfortunately, Skinningrove Bonfire have had to cancel their Bonfire Night 2021 event due to a lack of fundraising because of the pandemic. Keep your eyes peeled for Skinningrove Bonfire 2022!

Skinningrove is right on the edge of North York Moors National Park – check out my guide to the North York Moors here and make a weekend out of it! 

EXPLORE UK NATIONAL PARKS ON MY BLOG HERE

8. The Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary, Devon

• When: Friday 5th November, 19:00
• Where: Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1BZ
• Tickets: free

This is another of the most unique things to do in the UK… who knew that we had so many wonderful traditions?!

If you’re looking for something a bit different to do on Bonfire Night 2021, head to Ottery St Mary, near Exeter, and watch the burning of the Tar Barrels. This tradition started long before Guy Fawkes Night and sees local pubs and breweries offering up a barrel, which is covered in tar, set on fire and carried through the streets by brave locals.

See all the best things to do in Devon here. 

9. Fireworks at the Fort, Newcastle

• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Where: Segedunum Roman Fort, Newcastle, NE28 6HR
• Tickets: free

Fireworks at the Fort is usually the event that kicks off all Bonfire Night celebrations in the Newcastle area! Segedunum Roman Fort is the remains of a Roman fort that dominated the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall. When the site hosts the display, there is also free entry to the museum.

Unfortunately, Fireworks at the Fort have decided to cancel their Bonfire Night 2021 event. Keep your eyes peeled for Fireworks at the Fort 2022!

See all the best places to visit in England in this blog post.

10. Sparks in the Park, Cardiff

• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Where: Blackweir Fields, Bute Park, Cardiff
• Tickets: from £11

Sparks in the Park is Wales’ biggest fireworks display and one of the best places to celebrate Bonfire Night. It has been held annually since 1981, and is one of the best fireworks displays in the UK. What’s more, it’s a non-profit event, organised by Cardiff Round Table, and all proceeds are distributed to charities in the Cardiff area.

Unfortunately, Sparks in the Park have decided to cancel their Bonfire Night 2021 event due to a lack of sponsorship. Keep your eyes peeled for Sparks in the Park 2022!

See all the best things to do in Wales in this blog post.

EXPLORE WALES ON MY BLOG HERE

11. Glasgow Green

• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Where: Glasgow Green, G1 5DB
• Tickets: free

The annual fireworks at Glasgow Green are one of Scotland’s biggest fireworks display and one of the best places to celebrate Bonfire Night. Normally over 50,000 people gather to watch the fireworks in the city centre, as well as to enjoy all the family fun such as the funfair.

Unfortunately, Glasgow Green have decided to cancel their Bonfire Night 2021 event due to a clash with the COP26 climate summit. Keep your eyes peeled for Glasgow Green fireworks 2022!

See all the best things to do in Glasgow in this blog post.

12. Cornwall’s Drive-in Firework Spectacular

• When: Saturday 6th November, 15:00-20:00
• Where: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, PL27 7JE
• 
  Tickets: from £27.50 per car (click here to buy)

Lots of us have been to a drive-in cinema… but have you been to a drive in fireworks display in the UK?! Do something a bit different for Bonfire Night 2021 and head down to Wadebridge where you can see the fireworks from the comfort of your own car.

Note that there are catering and toilet facilities on site but unless you are using these you should stay in your car, so bring a pack of cards to play with while you’re waiting fo the display to start and wrap up warm! 

See the best things to do in Cornwall in this blog post. 

13. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

While there isn’t an official fireworks display at Arthur’s Seat, it’s a great place to watch fireworks in Edibnurgh, for free! Many of the big fireworks displays in Edinburgh have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but if you hike up Arthur’s Seat, you’re guaranteed to see the smaller displays that the locals put on at home dotted acoss the city! 

See all the best things to do in Edinburgh here. 

EXPLORE SCOTLAND ON MY BLOG HERE

Free fireworks in London
If you’re looking to see the fireworks in London without going to an official display, head up to Primrose Hill to see them going off across the city for free!

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14. New Forest Firework Night, Hampshire

• When: Saturday 6th November, from 16:00
• Where: Strawberry Fields, Boldre, Lymington, SO41 8PT
• 
  Tickets: £11 (click here to buy)

New Forest Firework Night is back and better than ever for Bonfire Night 2024! 

This is one of the best fireworks displays in the UK, partly because the fireworks are provided by two of the winners of the British Firework Championships to ensure some of the best fireworks in England. 

As well as this, you’ve got a huge bonfire, fire performers, fairground rides, music and food, as well as a unique ‘Hop On Inn’ double-decker bus bar.

See the best things to do in the New Forest here. 

15. Midsummer Common, Cambridge

• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Where: Midsummer Common, Cambridge
• Tickets: free

Traditionally, Cambridge celebrates Bonfire Night with a magnificent bonfire and fireworks display on Midsummer Common. Attracting up to 20,000 people, it is one of the best fireworks displays in the UK.

Unfortunately, Cambridge city council has announced that this year’s Bonfire Night 2024 celebration on Midsummer Common has been cancelled, following the publication of the government’s winter Covid plan for England. Keep your eyes peeled for Bonfire Night 2022 in Cambridge!

See the best things to do in Cambridge here. 

16. Pyromusical at 11 Arches Park, Durham

• When: Saturday 6th November, 16:00-19:30
• Where: 11 Arches Park, Flatts Farm, Toronto, Bishop Auckland, Durham, DL14 7SF
• 
  Tickets: from £10 (click here to buy)

Prepare to be amazed… This is the UK’s largest seated Pyromusical! Enjoy an evening travelling ‘around the world’ in 25 minutes (the theme of this year’s display.. fitting after a year of travel restrictions!). This stunning fireworks display in the UK is set to musical numbers which are family favourites and is one of the best places to be for Bonfire Night 2021.

See the best things to do in England here. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnKVCUfGtGU

EXPLORE THE UK ON MY BLOG HERE

How are you celebrating Bonfire Night?

Where are your favourite firework displays in the UK? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring…

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