London loves bonfire night. Any and every patch of grass big enough to fit a £5 carousel and a Guy Fawkes effigy will be putting on a firework display, and most importantly it’s the first day of the year when acceptable to drink mulled wine. The story behind Fireworks, mulled wine, toffee apples, that’s what bonfire night is all about, right?
London loves the celebration although it commemorates the most, if not only, famous failed assassin in the world. The Gunpowder Plot was a last-ditch strategy to remove the Protestant King James I and crown his daughter, a Catholic princess, instead. Needless to say it failed spectacularly, and we now commemorate the (non) event with drinks, fireworks, and everyone pretending for just one more night that they aren’t as cold as they are.
Hackney Firework Pyromusical – Saturday November 4
Hackney’s regular bonfire night display in Clissold Park isn’t even on bonfire night. The event kicks off at 7.00pm this Saturday. This year’s theme is ‘the movies’ so expect to see a lot of people re-using their Halloween costumes for £1 off their entry fee. Expect drinks, food, a funfair, street performers, and a dozen or so geniuses who thought they’d be the only one to dress as V from V for Vendetta.
(£8.50 Adults, £3.50 Children)
Victoria Park Fireworks -Sunday November 5
Tower Hamlets locals will be happy to know the People’s Park Tavern are once again putting on a firework display for Victoria Park. This event is free and although the park (and pub) are open all day, the bonfire festivities are from 5.30pm onwards. The display itself kicks off at 7pm but before and after there will be plenty of local food stalls and mulled wine stands to enjoy.
(Free)
Blackheath Fireworks – Saturday November 4
Easily South East London’s most popular display with thousands of attendees every year, enjoying the display on Blackheath in Lewisham gives you a 2 for 1 on making light of our dark medieval history. The main display starts at 8pm but as the funfair is open from noon and the bar from 5, why not make a day of it? I mean, at that price, who wouldn’t?
(Free)
Rotary Club Fireworks Display – Saturday November 4
Langley Park School for Girls and Rotary Club of West Wickham Fireworks Display 2015 from Chris Hinze on Vimeo.
Croydon Council don’t put on any official bonfire night events but fortunately the Rotary Club are teaming up with Club Langley on Saturday to make sure nobody is left wanting. Expect drinks, music, and food from 5.30pm, with the main display kicking off an hour later. This event is ticketed but all profits will go towards local and national charities.
£6.50 Adults, £3.50 Children)
Orchard Way Primary Fireworks Night -Friday November 3
For Croydon locals after a more family-family event, Orchard Way Primary School is throwing a fireworks display this Friday at the school. All members of the public are welcome, doors open from 6.45pm and the main event is set to start at 7.30pm. This event is primarily for families so anyone in Croydon wanting a livelier official bonfire experience might want to think about heading to the Rotary Club or further into London. Top marks to the school for an amazing poster though.
(£5 for all)
However you spend you spend this weekend, have fun! Share your fireworks photos with on Twitter @EastLondonLines