Bonfire Night 2025 in the UK: How to Celebrate, Tips & Events

Every November 5th, towns and cities around the UK host the largest and most magnificent bonfire nights, and this year is no exception. This day remembers the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which Guy Fawkes and his associates attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

As a result, cities such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh will stage a spectacular array of Bonfire Nights and fireworks displays, along with a stunning night sky, excellent street food, and more. To help you have a good time, we'll discuss the history of Bonfire Night, when it's celebrated, how to celebrate it, safety precautions, and the events scheduled for 2025 across the UK.

What Is Bonfire Night and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Bonfire Night, often known as Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, is a UK tradition for commemorating historical events. Its main activities include lighting big bonfires, firing off fireworks, and frequently burning a mannequin depicting Guy Fawkes.

With a 400-year history, this festival is one of Britain's most distinctive and widely loved folk traditions. Large public festivities are held at Alexandra Palace in London, Clissold Park in Hackney, and in places such as Brighton, Manchester, and York, with some events open to the public.

Why Is Bonfire Night Celebrated?

Bonfire Night commemorates the foiling of a historical plot known as the Gunpowder Plot. The plot revolved around a plan to assassinate King James and his government. The plotters were Catholics, and England's Protestant identity was a source of conflict—the plot aimed to assassinate King James and return England to Catholicism.

To achieve this, Guy Fawkes and his team placed 36 barrels of gunpowder in a vault beneath the Houses of Parliament in London. However, the plot was exposed, and Fawkes was arrested on the eve of the operation (November 4th).

He confessed after the trial and was ultimately sentenced to death for treason. The following day, the British people lit bonfires to celebrate the king and the country's survival, as well as to express their loyalty to their country and the Protestant faith.

The British Parliament subsequently passed an act designating November 5th as a national day of commemoration, encouraging the public to celebrate with bonfires and fireworks as a warning to the rebels and to strengthen national identity.

When Is Bonfire Night 2025?

In 2025, Bonfire Night will be officially observed throughout the United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 5th. This date has remained the same for centuries, honouring the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fireworks are frequently let off during bonfires; therefore, the day is also referred to as "Fireworks Night."

Bonfire Night is celebrated by people all around the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In many regions of the UK, celebrations include funfairs, family entertainment, and exceptional food and drink. The best method to remember the date of Bonfire Night is with the famous nursery rhyme:

Because Bonfire Night is not an official bank holiday, some cities may schedule festivities, such as fireworks displays, to the nearest weekend to maximise attendance. However, the core of the official Bonfire Night celebrations always centres on November 5th.

How to Celebrate Bonfire Night in the UK?

Bonfire Night is a significant event in the United Kingdom, celebrated annually on November 5th. It has evolved into a national holiday that encompasses historical remembrance, family reunions, and a joyful atmosphere. Here are the primary ways that the British commemorate Bonfire Night.

Bonfire Lighting and Effigy Burning

This is the holiday's principal rite. Large bonfires are lit, and an effigy of Guy Fawkes is hurled into the flames to symbolise punishment for treason. This effigy is usually composed of old garments filled with straw and topped with a hat and the classic Guy Fawkes mask. Nowadays, some places are burning effigies of controversial prominent personalities, including Wayne Rooney, Mario Balotelli, Donald Trump, Liz Truss, and Boris Johnson, giving the event a new level of social satire.

Enjoying Fireworks

Without a doubt, this is the highlight of Bonfire Night. On this day, almost every town, village, and hamlet in the United Kingdom hosts a huge public fireworks show. Thousands of people attend these events, which are typically hosted in parks, sports fields, or vast open spaces. These professional performances, backed by synchronised music, are both spectacular and safe.

Enjoy Traditional Holiday Food

Bonfire Night features unique recipes, with people gathering around bonfires on chilly autumn nights to enjoy warm, delicious food. One of the most iconic treats is the toffee apple—a crispy fruit coated in a hard caramel.

In addition to sweet treats, families also offer savoury snacks such as grilled sausages and roast potatoes (sometimes cooked in the embers). Chicken casserole and campfire stew are also popular choices. In northern England, the traditional gingerbread and oatmeal parkin is particularly popular on Bonfire Night.

Family Reunion

Many British families use this occasion to gather with friends, family, and loved ones to mark the transition from autumn to winter. Despite the frigid weather, people bundle up in thick coats, enjoy hot drinks, and celebrate as fireworks illuminate the night sky.

Bonfire Night Events Across the UK in 2025

In the United Kingdom, Bonfire Night is celebrated with fireworks, bonfires, and the burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy. In addition, certain sections of the UK have their own magnificent and distinctive celebrations, the most well-known of which is in Lewes. Here are some Bonfire Night events you can look forward to in the UK in 2025:

Lewes Bonfire Night

This is the UK's biggest and only official Bonfire Night. This year's event will take place on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, and will feature approximately 25-30 bonfire societies from throughout Sussex, as well as multiple marching bands. The parade starts around 5 p.m. and concludes around 1 a.m., with each Lewes bonfire society taking its own route.

Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival

At Alexandra Palace, on Friday, October 31st, and Saturday, November 1st, Halloween meets Bonfire Night, with the legendary Ally Pally fireworks and drone festival returning, bigger than ever. Dance to the sounds of 90s garage music icons DJ Luck and MC Neat, or explore the ice disco. Over 50 food trucks and bars also offer a variety of delicious street food and drinks.

Quex Park Bonfire and Fireworks

This historic landmark provides the ideal backdrop for Bonfire Night. The Quex Park Fireworks are suitable for the entire family. The fireworks display, bonfire, music, fire dance, and children's entertainment are all must-see events.

Battersea Park Fireworks

On Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, thousands of Londoners will gather at Battersea Park for a weekend of spectacular fireworks, live performances, and family fun. This year's pre-fireworks entertainment features a Day of the Dead celebration, a British fireworks display, fire dance, and acrobatic performances.

Bristol Fireworks Fiesta

Following the overwhelming success of the 2024 event, the city's most fabulous charity fireworks display returns on Saturday, November 8th, 2025. The renowned Clifton Suspension Bridge provides the perfect backdrop for this stunning display.

Bonfire Night at Belvoir Castle

Bonfire Night at Belvoir Castle returns on Friday, November 7th, 2025, with an even greater fireworks display provided by MLE Pyrotechnics. The bonfire will illuminate the night sky from a new location on the Ladies' Court, offering more opportunities to view the excellent performance (fireworks begin at 8:00 p.m.).

Plymouth Bonfire Night

This annual event will take place on Plymouth's Highlands Seafront on November 5th, 2025. Visit the famous Smeaton's Tower lighthouse around 7:00 p.m. to see the bonfire being lit and experience the warmth of the roaring fire. The fireworks display will illuminate the English Channel and historic Plymouth Sound, creating a fantastic spectacle.

Family-Friendly Bonfire Night Celebration Ideas

Bonfire Night is a historic and lively holiday perfect for families. Here are some fun family activities for Bonfire Night:

Idea 1: Host a Small Family Bonfire

Lighting your own bonfire, regardless of where you live, is a fun and simple way to commemorate Bonfire Night. Create a small campfire with firewood in your backyard or a safe, open area. Gather around it as a family to roast marshmallows and sausages and have hot chocolate.

A Jackery Portable Power Station can be an excellent asset for celebrating Bonfire Night in the UK, especially if your party is in a garden, field, or area without easy access to mains electricity.

Idea 2: Set off Fireworks

Fireworks are a popular choice, particularly among children. These handheld pyrotechnics enable children to create designs with bright, sparkling frames under the supervision of an adult. Pairing them with classic music adds to the festive atmosphere and makes the display even more enjoyable.

Idea 3: Share the Story and History of Bonfire Night

While Bonfire Night is celebrated throughout the UK, it has become a tradition often accompanied by bonfires and fireworks; however, many children are unaware of its origins and history. Tell the story of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in a child-friendly way (with a picture book or animated short), explaining why bonfires and fireworks were lit.

Idea 4: Play Fun Games Together

No matter the holiday, children love fun games like glow sticks and "putting the hat on Guy Fawkes." Alternatively, you could have children play a scavenger hunt. Set up clues in the yard or indoors and have them search for hidden gunpowder kegs (you can use decorated cardboard boxes). Completing the task will earn them a small prize.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night is often dark. A Jackery can power low-wattage LED string lights (also known as fairy lights) or decorative lanterns to create a festive and safe atmosphere around your viewing area, food table, or seating area. A Jackery Portable Power Station can be an excellent asset for celebrating Bonfire Night in the UK, especially if your party is in a garden, field, or area without easy access to mains electricity.

Since November evenings in the UK are chilly, a Jackery (especially a larger model like the Explorer 1000 v2 or higher) can run a low-wattage electric blanket or heated pad for a couple of hours to keep guests cosy while seated outdoors. Use the AC outlet to power a travel kettle for hot drinks (such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate) or a small slow cooker to keep chilli, soup, or jacket potato fillings warm.

Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 is an excellent power solution for celebrating Bonfire Night in the UK, especially for events held away from mains electricity. Its high capacity and powerful output can bring comfort, entertainment, and essential services to your outdoor gathering.

Bonfire Night (also known as Guy Fawkes Night) is typically held outdoors in cold, dark, and often damp conditions. The Explorer 3000 v2 can power key elements to make the event safer and more enjoyable without the noise and fumes of a traditional generator.

Outdoor Heaters: The 3600W continuous output is powerful enough to run many high-wattage electric fan heaters or ceramic heaters (e.g., a 2000W heater for over an hour and a quarter or a lower-wattage heater for much longer), providing essential warmth for guests on a chilly November evening.

Festive and Safety Lighting: Easily power strings of outdoor LED fairy lights, floodlights for safety around the bonfire area, or general amenity lighting for a prolonged period thanks to the massive 3072Wh capacity.

Hot Refreshments: Quickly boil a kettle (e.g., an 850W kettle) up to 16 times or run a slow cooker to keep food warm, which is essential for serving traditional Bonfire Night treats like parkin, jacket potatoes, or hot dogs.

No Fumes or Noise: Unlike petrol generators, it operates with whisper-quiet efficiency (as low as 27 dB, allowing conversations and the sound of the crackling bonfire to be the main noise, and produces zero emissions, keeping your celebration area clean and safe.

(The running time is provided for reference only; the actual working hours are based on usage.)

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is an excellent, safe, and portable power solution for enhancing the Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) experience in the UK, especially for community events or large private garden parties where reliable outdoor power is essential.

Essential Power for Safety and Illumination: Bonfire Night takes place in early November, meaning it's dark, cold, and often wet. Reliable lighting is crucial for safety around bonfire and fireworks display areas. The unit's 2042Wh capacity can run multiple high-wattage floodlights (100W each) for over 17 hours, ensuring clear, well-lit paths for guests moving around the bonfire and viewing area.

Enhancing the Atmosphere and Entertainment: The station provides silent, clean power for all the festive elements that make Bonfire Night memorable. A decent outdoor sound system (approx. 150W) for playing seasonal music or coordinating the event can run for over 13 hours on a single charge. This delivers high-quality sound without the disruptive noise of a traditional petrol generator. For organised fireworks displays, the clean power from the 2200W Pure Sine Wave AC output is ideal for powering sensitive electronic firing systems, igniters, and control boards, ensuring precise, reliable sequencing of the display.

Warm Drinks and Hot Food: The high power output can handle small kitchen appliances temporarily. Powering a large electric urn or kettle (up to 850W) for hot chocolate and tea for the crowd (in short bursts).

(The running time is provided for reference only; the actual working hours are based on usage.)

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a portable power station that can significantly enhance your Bonfire Night celebrations in the UK, especially if you're hosting an outdoor gathering or want to power appliances away from a mains socket.

Festive Lighting: Easily run numerous strings of LED or incandescent outdoor fairy lights and lanterns to create a warm, inviting atmosphere around your garden, seating areas, or food stall. Power spotlights to illuminate the Guy Fawkes effigy, the bonfire area (safely), or key features of your party space.

Keeping Warm: Plug in low-wattage electric blankets or heating pads for seating areas to keep guests cosy on a cold November evening. While its high capacity allows it to run a small heater (e.g., 500W), keep in mind that this is a high-draw appliance. A 500W heater could run for approximately 1.8 hours. This is best suited for a quick burst of warmth rather than continuous heat for the entire evening.

Safety and Convenience: It serves as a reliable source of essential safety lighting in a remote part of your garden or as a backup in case a fuse trips inside the house. Unlike a petrol generator, it's whisper-quiet (under 22dB) and emits no toxic fumes, making it perfectly safe for use right next to your gathering.

(The running time is provided for reference only; the actual working hours are based on usage.)

Bonfire Night Safety Tips 

In the United Kingdom, Bonfire Night is celebrated with bonfires and pyrotechnics, which might pose safety issues. Here are some key guidelines to protect your safety when celebrating Bonfire Night:

Safety Tip 1: Choose the Right Bonfire Location

Select a clear, open space for your bonfire, away from buildings, trees, and any combustible materials. Never use accelerants like petrol to start or rekindle a blaze. Always have an adult in control of the bonfire, and keep a safe distance.

Safety Tip 2: Maintain a Safe Distance When Watching Fireworks or Bonfires

When watching fireworks or bonfires, always stay outside of officially designated safe zones. Avoid approaching the launchpad or the fire's edge. Abrupt wind changes or misfires can divert fireworks; therefore, keep a minimum distance of 10-15 meters.

Safety Tip 3: Ensure Bonfires or Fireworks Are Extinguished

After your event, inspect the location. Before leaving, ensure that all potential risks, such as unlit sparklers or pyrotechnics, have been removed or extinguished, and that the bonfire has completely burned out. For example, toss the fireworks sticks into a pail of water. It is essential to keep a fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency.

Safety Tip 4: Supervise Children and Pets

Ensure that a responsible adult oversees youngsters who use firecracker sticks and keeps them away from fires and crowded locations. Pets are sensitive to loud noises and bright lights, so it's best to keep them at home in a quiet setting and avoid fireworks displays.

Safety Tip 5: Stay Warm

November nights can be cold, so be sure to wrap up warm to prevent hypothermia. Dress in layers (thermal underwear, sweater/fleece, and a windproof and waterproof jacket), and wear a hat, scarf, and gloves. Wear non-slip boots or sneakers in the fall and winter, as the grass can get wet and muddy.

Safety Tip 6: Replace Bonfires and Fireworks with LED Light Strings and Projector Lights

If you'd rather enjoy a quiet evening at home, away from the cold and crowds, consider watching a televised fireworks display. Alternatively, you can use LED light strings or projector lights to simulate a bonfire.

You can also use a projector to display fireworks animations and play background music to create an atmospheric effect. Even if there is no electricity outdoors, don't worry, you can use a portable power supply (such as Jackery) to power the LED light string or projector light.

FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about Bonfire Night in the UK:

1. What is Bonfire Night and why do we celebrate it?

Bonfire Night is a 400-year-old festival that takes place on November 5th. Celebrations include bonfires, fireworks, and the burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy. Bonfire Night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which aimed to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. After the attempt was defeated, King James I declared November 5th a day of public thanksgiving to demonstrate his thankfulness for his life.

2. What happened on November 5th?

The most noteworthy event on November 5th was the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which aimed to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. Because the conspiracy was discovered and foiled on that day, the United Kingdom commemorates its annual Bonfire Night celebration, which includes bonfires and fireworks.

3. Is Bonfire Night unique to the United Kingdom?

Today, Bonfire Night celebrations are primarily held in the United Kingdom. However, historically, it was also celebrated in Commonwealth countries.

4. Is Bonfire Night the 4th or 5th?

The traditional official date for Bonfire Night is November 5th. However, many Bonfire Night celebrations and fireworks displays are held on the weekends before and after to attract more attendees.

5. Are there any family-friendly Bonfire Night events in London?

Here are some family-friendly fireworks venues around London:

Morden Park Fireworks (Wednesday, November 5th)

Wimbledon Park Fireworks (Saturday, November 8th)

Battersea Park Fireworks (Sunday, November 2nd)

Beckenham Fireworks (Saturday, November 8th) 

Final Thoughts

Bonfire Night is a traditional British event observed on November 5th. The fireworks display is regarded as one of the most impressive in the UK. Aside from spectacular entertainment, the amusement park offers a variety of rides, delicious food, and a range of other activities. However, when enjoying Bonfire Night, please be cautious of personal safety, such as avoiding fireworks or the edge of bonfires. Alternatively, you can recreate the experience of bonfires and fireworks at home using LED light strings or projector lights to create a festive atmosphere.