Guy Fawkes Day – widely known as Bonfire Night – commemorates the Nov. 5, 1605 event in which Guy Fawkes led a group of English Catholics in an attempted assassination of Protestant King James I of England. A thirst to restore religious tolerance incentivized the attempt to dethrone the monarch, ultimately materializing in an unsuccessful plot to demolish the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder, per Encyclopædia Britannica.
Annually, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated Nov. 5 across the U.K. Residents partake in celebrations memorializing the historic event in the form of fireworks, parades and bonfires. As a hub of British life and culture, London is home to a wide selection of locations conducive to firework-viewing. Hence, the following suggestions divulge areas across the city ideal for immersing oneself in this classic British tradition.
Wimbledon Park
The Wimbledon Park Musical Firework Displays epitomize festivity, rendering it the ideal location to celebrate Bonfire Night. The event is remarkably unique in its approach to the celebration, featuring films alongside the two-part firework display, and will be held Nov. 5.
The first firework display begins at 6:45 p.m. with a selection of Disney films, while the second firework display begins at 8:30 p.m. featuring a James Bond theme. In addition to its traditional firework display, Wimbledon Park also provides food, beverages and amusement park rides. Tickets for the event cost only £10 per person.
Alexandra Palace
Firework celebrations at Alexandra Palace are critically-acclaimed, primarily on account of the festive atmosphere coupled with myriad activities appealing to a range of attendees. Alexandra Palace offers ice skating, a fairground and a food festival Nov. 6 to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day.
The celebration involves a bonfire and simultaneous firework show available at no cost for those who book tickets online prior to the event. Catering to a multitude of interests and suitable for all ages, the Bonfire Night celebration at Alexandra Palace is an event one should take advantage of.
Battersea Park
Battersea Park, well-known among tourists and London residents alike, will hold a Bonfire Night celebration. Kicking off Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m, the venue will offer a firework display, bonfire lighting and an after-party. The Nov. 7 celebration, on the other hand, caters specifically to families and younger children, complete with a virtual light performance at 6 p.m. before the traditional firework display.
Tickets are priced at £10 per person with all proceeds directed toward increasing sustainability through implementing green areas in the Borough of Wandsworth. The Battersea Park firework celebration is ultimately a worthwhile event for those seeking a Bonfire Night celebration.
Barnes Sports Club
Barnes Sports Club on Lonsdale Road offers a traditional Bonfire Night celebration Nov. 6 with a classic barbeque, live music and a firework display. The event commences at 5:30 p.m. and the firework display begins at 7:45 p.m.
Tickets are exclusively available to those who book in advance. With an admission price of £15 per person, the Barnes Sports Club firework display and bonfire event is a must-visit for those who wish to immerse themselves in the Bonfire Night festivities.
Dulwich
The Dulwich Bonfire Night celebration at the Dulwich Sports Club is designed specifically for families and is characterized by fireworks, pizza and a barbeque. Unlike the majority of Bonfire Night venues across the city, the Dulwich celebration prioritizes sustainability with a big-screen projection of a bonfire.
The event begins at 5 p.m. and culminates at 8 p.m. following the firework display Nov. 6. With an admission price of £10 for all those over 16-years-old – particularly enticing for kids – the Dulwich Bonfire Night festival is undoubtedly one to visit for a weekend of celebration.
