Things To Do On Bonfire Night in London 2026
Date post added: 1st July 2026
Why is Bonfire Night celebrated in London?
“Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot!”
There’s nowhere better to celebrate Bonfire Night than London, the place where the gunpowder plot originated.
On the 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes hid 33 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar at the Palace of Westminster in a bid to blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament. Discovered red handed, Guy Fawkes was taken to the Tower of London where the names of his co-conspirators were extracted under torture. 420 years later, Bonfire Night celebrations (aka Guy Fawkes’ Night or Fireworks Night) remain a key event in the British social calendar. Fireworks, bonfires and effigies of Guy Fawkes, we’ve got it all in our guide of the best fireworks events in London on Bonfire Night 2026.
When is Bonfire Night in 2026?
As ever, Bonfire Night falls on 5th November in 2026. This year, that’s a Thursday. You’ll find many firework displays happen on the weekend of 7th and 8th November 2026.
What seasonal foods are served during Bonfire night?
November is cold in England, and your whole body feels it when you’re standing outside oohing and aahing over pretty fireworks. So Bonfire Night foods tend to be warm, autumnal fare. Think sausages (bangers), jacket potatoes cooked on a fire and hot soup. But these days, it’s more eclectic and you’ll find anything from street food to BBQ, hot dogs to curry, all washed down with a warm mulled wine or a tepid beer. And don’t forget the achingly sweet stuff. Toffee apples have long been associated with Bonfire Night. That’s probably because apples are harvested in autumn, and covering them in sickly sugar is a way of preserving them a lot longer. It’s a shame the same can’t be said for your teeth after eating them.
Where is the best place to see Bonfire Night in London?
Sparklers at the ready. Here’s a round up of some of the most spectacular venues for firework displays around London.
1. Ally Pally’s Fireworks Festival
Probably London’s biggest and most popular Bonfire Night fireworks display is the Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) Park one in North London. It’s one of the highest vantage points in London. Not only will you get a spectacular view across the London skyline, but the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival has many other delights too.
Last year, the two-day fireworks festival included a drone display, as well as a funfair, a German bierfest, an oompah band, and over 50 street food trucks. Who needs fireworks with that level of entertainment on offer?
2. Battersea Park Fireworks
On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November 2026 it’s Battersea Park Fireworks event. The 200 acre park on the south bank of the River Thames boasts South London’s biggest fireworks display.
You can expect a huge bonfire and an impressive firework show. The pyrotechnics display is devised by the expert team behind London’s New Year’s Eve spectaculars and major concerts and sporting events. This team also focus on sustainability and have tree-planting schemes, a no single-use plastic policy and more.
Details are yet to be confirmed, but you can expect an absolute extravaganza.
3. Wimbledon Park Fireworks
These fireworks take place on Bonfire Night itself, Thursday 5th November. Fireworks in the Park spans two shows. A child-friendly, fireworks display starts at 6.45pm. Then there’s a louder, later display at 8.30pm.
To heighten the excitement further, there are fairground rides, street food, bars and even more entertainment. Lights out at 10pm.
4. Morden Park Fireworks
The sister show to Wimbledon Park is Fireworks in the Park at Morden Park. Gates open at 5.15pm with the early evening display at 6.45pm. The later, louder one at 8.30pm is set to a specially curated soundtrack which is pretty impressive.
It’s a lovely event for sparkler fans of all ages. The addition of funfair rides, food stalls and a generous serve of entertainment make it a memorable evening in Morden.
5. Dulwich Fireworks
Staying in South London, Dulwich Sports Club hosts an excellent family Bonfire Night event. This year’s date is yet to be confirmed.
Their food stalls include a heady mix of mulled wine, real ale, BBQ, burgers, Indian food, pizza and a kids bar.
In previous years, gates open at 5pm with live music from 5.30pm. Fireworks go off with a bang at 7pm. Adult ticket prices were £13 and juniors were £8. Kids get in for a quid (under 12s anyway) which is a real winner. Book early!
6. Stow Firework Spectacular
This renowned East London extravaganza is set to be bigger than ever. Running across three nights – Thursday 5th November, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th – it’s held at Walthamstow Cricket, Tennis and Squash Club. Tickets go on sale on Monday 3rd August, 9am.
The family-friendly event has a low noise display for children at 6pm, as well as the main full effect show at 8pm. A breathtaking fire performer will be punctuating the evening with feats of daring deeds. There’s also a funfair, fun and games, food stalls and a licensed bar.
7. Beckenham Fireworks
A true community event, the 5th Beckenham South Scout Group is behind this Guy Fawkes Night event. It’s been running for over 70 years. It takes place on Saturday 7th November at Croydon Road Recreation Ground. Gates open at 4.30pm. The first Beckenham Fireworks display is at 6pm for younger children. Then there’s the main display at 7.15pm.
8. Brent & Harrow Fireworks
On Saturday 7th November 2026, the Harrow Fireworks at Byron Park will be back. This West London Bonfire Night event is a proper family-friendly festival with free entry to the pre-party between noon and 3pm. It’s not just a Bonfire Night party. It’s a celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Light too.
There will be a huge, musical, fireworks display. All afternoon, you can enjoy the entertainers, face painting, glitter tattoos, Indian henna art and a full on funfair and inflatable park. Plus, there’s plenty of global street food to choose from too. Tickets will be available on the gate and it’s cash only.
9. Richmond Fireworks
The annual Richmond Fireworks event is held at Richmond Athletic Ground. This year, it’ll be on Sunday 1st November. The choreographed fireworks display is set to get you ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahhing’. Warm up with mulled wine, tea and coffee or a lukewarm beer. The menu is mouthwatering with the likes of with crepes, churros, donuts, burgers and hot dogs. Advance tickets only.
10. Blackheath Fireworks
In 2025, Blackheath Fireworks returned with a bang after a six-year hiatus. The 2026 date is yet to be announced.
Last year, the epic fireworks event took place on Blackheath Common from 4-10.30pm. The firework display was accompanied by a banging soundtrack. There were DJs, bands, performers and interactive fun and games. The list goes on, with fairgrounds, a food village, local market stalls and a craft beer offering.
Are there any family-friendly Bonfire Night activities in London?
Many London firework events run early evening sessions for young ones. And there’s so much more than rockets and Catherine Wheels. There are funfairs, face painters, family entertainment shows and interactive experiences.
Wimbledon Park and Morden Park Fireworks run two fireworks displays. The earlier showing is aimed at families, kids in particular. Gates open at 5.15pm with fireworks display starting at 6.45pm. What do do for an hour and a half? There’s a funfair, street food, music and entertainment to keep you going. The Wimbledon Park event is on Bonfire Night itself – Thursday 5th November – whilst Morden Park is on Saturday 7th November.
The Beckenham Firework display has an early session for families. This one’s on Saturday 7th November. The date for the Dulwich event is yet to be announced. But if they continue to offer child tickets at only £1, it’ll be overrun with under 12s.
The Walthamstow (Stow) fireworks event has been curated with all children in mind. For those with sensory needs, there’s a low noise display at 6pm. Join the fun on Thursday 5th November, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th.
Don’t forget, London will do it all again on New Year’s Eve with even more fireworks displays to see out 2026. And we don’t just mean the big one in Central London.
On Sunday 2nd November, Battersea Park hosts their family-friendly fireworks display.
The Beckenham Fireworks display has an early session for families. This one’s on Saturday 8th November.
The Walthamstow (Stow) fireworks event has been curated with all children in mind. For those with sensory needs, there’s a low noise display at 6pm. Join the fun on Wednesday 5th November, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th.
Don’t forget, London will do it all again on New Year’s Eve with even more fireworks displays to see out 2026. And we don’t just mean the big one in Central London.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.