Guy Fawkes Night 2021: best firework displays in London
Wondering where to watch the fireworks in London? Bonfire Night 2021 is ablaze with impressive displays. Culture Whisper rounds up the best
Alexandra Palace
Saturday 6 November | 4pm - 10:45pm
You'd be hard pressed to find a firework festival bigger or brighter than the yearly offering from Alexandra Palace. Perched on top of the hill, from where you'll also catch panoramic views of other distant explosions of colour, the celebrations begin with an illuminating Light Show before Trevor Nelson gets the crowd moving with his latest mixes of soul, garage and RnB. All of which teases the bright, bold bangs themselves. If the bonfire, steaming mugs of mulled wine and sizzling plates of street food aren't enough to warm you, head inside the German Bier Fest to raise a stein and dance the frost right off your toes with live music from an Oompah Band and Spice Girls tribute act. Keeping the kids entertained, meanwhile, is an ice disco, a funfair, a band of daring fire jugglers and more.
Click here to book your tickets
Battersea Park
Saturday 6 November at 8pm (doors open, 6pm) | Sunday 7 November at 7pm (doors open, 5pm)
The legendary annual display at Battersea Park always goes off with a bang. Expect crowds (of around 50,000) and come early for a display by Titanium Pyrotechnics – the talent behind the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. As the queue for the bar is always long, we advise bringing along your own cans (glass is not allowed). Saturday is a more grown-up affair, with the park's indoor venue Evolution London being transformed into a German Bierkeller complete with live band, bumper cars and plenty of space to sip from giant steins. The show itself kicks off at 8pm, with an afterparty carrying child-free night owls through until midnight.
Sunday is a family-friendly affair, with the spectacle kicking off a little earlier at 7pm. On top of the glittering explosions themselves, visitors of all ages will be dazzled by an all-new light installation, the Vortex Flow, by immersive illumination experts Squid Soup.
Click here to book tickets
Wimbledon Park and Morden Park Musical Firework Displays
Wimbledon Park on Friday 5 November | Morden Park on Saturday 6 November
5:15pm: Family firework show | 7:15pm: Second fireworks show
The London Borough of Merton is once again hosting four fireworks displays – two in Wimbledon Park on Friday 5, the other two in Morden Park on Saturday 6 – all of which are set to music. First, there’s one for the little ones – less bang, more colour – set to start at 5:15pm in both locations. This is followed by a larger themed display at 7:15pm. As well as music and fireworks, make the most of thrilling rides at the fun fair and the usual stalls of warming food available. The site stays open until 10pm.
Click here to book tickets to the Wimbledon Park shows
Click here to book tickets to the Morden Park shows
Dulwich Fireworks Display
Saturday 6 November | 5pm - 7:30pm
The annual fireworks display at Dulwich Sports Club is 'going green' this year, hoping to entertain visitors with an eco-friendly digital bonfire projected on a giant screen rather than a traditional one. Controversial, yes; it awaits to be seen whether they'll attempt to replicate the smells and warmth which are very much a part of the multi-sensory experience of hovering around a fire on a chilly night. But it is inarguably better for the planet. Beyond that, expect IRL fireworks plus stalls serving mulled wine, beer, pizza and more to help you warm up and refuel.
Click here to book tickets
Wembley and Harrow Fireworks
Saturday 6 November | 12pm - 9pm, fireworks at 7:45pm
Wembley and Harrow Fireworks turn 10 this year, and to celebrate, the organisers are hosting a full day of celebrations in Harrow's Byron Park. A Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night mash-up, the event promises entertainment for all, including a funfair, a world food zone, Diwali dancers, face painting, a henna tattoo station, comedy and magic shows for kids, plus the main event: a 20-minute musical fireworks display.
Click here to book tickets
