14 Best Bonfire Night Firework Displays in London 2024

There’s nothing like gathering in a park in the nippy nights of early November to watch a pile of flaming wood and fireworks piercing the sky. Yes, Bonfire Night – aka Guy Fawkes Night – might sound strange to those unfamiliar with it, but it’s a great British tradition and one of the highlights of the second half of the year.

Wrap up warm and get ready to head out to one of London’s many Bonfire Night and fireworks displays, where you’ll find sparkly skies, yummy street food and so much more. All together, it’ll make stepping out into the winter cold seem more than worth it.

When is Bonfire Night in London?

As the adage goes: remember, remember the fifth of November. Bonfire Night is officially on November 5 every year, and, this year, that falls on a Tuesday. You’ll find some displays on the night itself, but most will be taking place on either the weekend before or after so you can really make the most of the fun. These days, fireworks displays are about more than bonfires and colourful skies – it’s now the norm for events to boast funfairs, food stalls and more.

Top tips for Bonfire Night in London

Book in advance: Some events you can just rock up to and pay on the gate; others sell out early and don’t keep tickets back for the spontaneous among us. The key to not being disappointed is being organised!

Wrap up: The unpredictable great British weather rarely ever plays ball. It’s too early to say what exactly the heavens will decide to do in early November, but you can make an educated guess that cold temperatures and wet weather could very well be on the cards. So, make sure you bring plenty of layers, including one that’s preferably waterproof, to avoid a soggy, miserable evening.

Cash up: Yes, most places take cards now, but you never know, and you definitely don’t want to be stranded in a cold field with no way of buying a hot jacket potato. So, visit a cash machine before you get to your chosen display, just in case.

Leave the sparklers at home: As much as we love those hot, firey sticks, lots of organised bonfires won’t allow them or will only let you buy them on-site. So, save them for the garden at home.

NOTE we’re keeping this page as up-to-date as possible as more details of displays are released but for God’s sake double-check with the local organisers before you traipse along to your local recreation ground with kids/mates/dates in the freezing November twilight.

RECOMMENDED: The best things do in London this November.

The Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival is easily one of the biggest, baddest displays in town. Traditionally, the display is set to music curated by a big-name DJ – keep an eye out in the coming weeks for exactly who gets that honour in 2024 – elevating this fireworks festival from pretty explosions in the sky to full-on extravaganza. But it’s not just what’s going on in the sky that’s the attraction here (although, with Ally Pally’s panoramic view of London, it is a fairly big pull). There’s tons more to do, from a German Bier Fest to ice skating, a funfair to drone display, plus tons of street food to keep you warm and full.

What time do Alexandra Palace Fireworks start?

The fireworks will begin at 9 pm on Friday and 8 pm on Saturday.

Find more fireworks displays in London

If you want to head down to Dulwich Sports Club’s fireworks festa, you’ve got to be organised – tickets won’t be available on the night the event regularly sells out. Once you’ve snapped up your ticket, you’re in for a treat – expect live music to accompany the main event, plus a host of food and drinks, including mulled wine, BBQ, Indian food and much more. The night goes on rain or shine, so come prepared for all weather.

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Wandsworth Council’s annual display is back for 2024, doubling in size to become a two-nighter. Saturday November 2 is the regular fireworks and bonfire. While Sunday November 3 is more family-friendly, with activities for kids and fewer nerve-jangling explosions. There'll also be mulled winter warmers and autumnal comfort food. It always sells out, so book early.

Morden Park fireworks are so good they happen twice – in one night! The first display kicks off at 6:45pm and is more suitable for young kids; the second begins at 8:30pm and is more adult-friendly. The event also boasts a funfair to keep little and big kids occupied when the night sky isn’t being lit up in multiple hues and patterns.

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Like Morden Park’s fireworks event, the Wimbledon Park Fireworks (also run by Merton council) boasts two displays – an earlier kid-friendly showing and a later affair. The ‘musical fireworks’ event sets the illuminations to tunes – last year’s theme was one-hit wonders. Once you’re done oohing and ahhing, get yourself to the funfair to make the most of the rides.

The Beckenham Scouts are at it again, taking over the park in Croydon Road Recreation Ground for the south London area’s annual firework display, which they’ve been doing since 1946. Go for the child-friendly ‘quiet display’ at 6pm or the loud adult one at 7.45pm: either way, you also get funfairs, hot-food stalls and warm drinks.

Find more firework displays all around London.

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The heat isn’t just up in the air at the Stow Firework Spectacular – it’s also coming out of brave people’s mouths. The Walthamstow event has four rounds of fire performers per night for you to marvel at. In between, you’ll get what you came for, too, with two fireworks displays – one designed for kids and those with sensory needs, and another ‘full effect’ display. Elsewhere, there’s a funfair, games, street food and a licensed bar.

These Crystal Palace-based fireworks are for a good cause, raising funds for James Dixon Primary School, where the event is held. Make sure you pre-book your ticket if you’re thinking of heading down – there will be none available on the gate. Expect a more lowkey affair here, although there will be refreshments on hand to quieten any rumbling tummies.

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Southgate’s Walker Ground Fireworks Display is a big one for north London – according to event organisers, over 7,000 people watched the big bangs in 2023. It’s novel to attend a fireworks display at a cricket ground in London, too, instead of your typical park. As well as beautiful rockets, this event sounds like a great excuse to chow down on a smorgasbord of snacks, including burgers, hotdogs, jerk chicken, doughnuts, waffles, toffee apples and candy floss. Get us there now.

Harrow Fireworks take Bonfire Night – or the weekend after it, at least – very seriously, with a full day programme of fun to take part in. The first three hours of the event are free and you’ll be able to partake in servings of street food, all the fun of the fair, a market with crafts and other goodies up for sale and a bar. Cough up some cash for the rest, though, and you’ll get the true experience with entertainment and, of course, the fireworks display seeing you through til the end of the night.

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Bounds Green’s Wild Wolf Explorer Scout Unit are throwing another big bonfire and firework-filled bash – their 13th annual event so far. The night will see the 14-18 year olds that make up the scout unit take the lead in every aspect of planning, preparation and delivery, so you’ll not only be supporting the next generation of Londoners, but seeing the magic of Bonfire Night through their eyes, too. The event is the group’s primary annual fundraiser, which allows it to collect funds to support Scouts in hardship, opening up opportunities for everyone to experience adventure, no matter their background. If that doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy enough inside, then visit the Scout campfire for marshmallow toasting and songs ahead of the big display.

This small, family-focused fireworks event in Camden’s Coram Fields proves its kid-friendly credentials by taking place a lot earlier than your average display, starting at 3.30pm and with the bangs and sparks lifting off at 6pm. It’s all free, but tickets are available for prime viewing spots. As well as the bangs, there will be food and drink stalls and performances from local schools and young people.

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You won’t find many Bonfire Night displays these days that include a ‘best Guy’ competition – unless you head to Barnes Sports Club this fireworks season. The winner will get the chance to light the bonfire, but if you’re not victorious, there’ll still be plenty of fun to be had. Sparklers and glowsticks can be purchased on site for some extra pizazz, live music will come from The Connection, plus there’ll be a DJ, mulled wine, a BBQ and, of course, a fantastic fireworks display to cap it all off. Tickets go on sale on October 7 and are only available online.

What better place than to mark the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot than at the Royal Gunpowder Mills? The Waltham Abbey venue won’t have any would-be explosive assassins sneaking around, but it will boast a banging good time. Fireworks come from Explosives FX, the team behind the Sydney Harbour Fireworks and who’ve worked on film and TV projects, including rather fittingly ‘The Gunpowder Plot: The Countdown To Treason’. Gates open at 3:30pm and last entry is at 5:30pm so plan accordingly.