Guy Fawkes Night 2018: best fireworks displays in London
Wondering where to go for fireworks in London? Bonfire Night 2018 is ablaze with impressive displays. Culture Whisper rounds up the best
Guy Fawkes 2018: best fireworks displays in London
Remember, remember: book now to make sure you don't miss out on London's firework displays this 5 November. The city will be ablaze with bright colours and bangs all weekend long. We've rounded up the best fireworks displays across London.
North London
Alexandra Palace
Friday 2 November – Laser show: 8:30pm | Fireworks: 9pm
Saturday 3 November – Laser show: 7:30pm | Fireworks: 8pm
You'd be hard pressed to find a firework festival bigger or brighter than the yearly offering from Alexandra Palace. Be amazed by Cirque Bijou, or just partake in the Bier Festival. Families should arrive early to enjoy the ice-skating rink and the enormous family area with a bonfire and funfair. With live music from Friday's headliner DJ Norman Jay MBE, this is a must-see for the whole family.
Click here to book your tickets
Wembley Park’s Light Up the Night
Sunday 4 November | 4pm - 8pm | fireworks at 7pm
On Sunday 4 November, Wembley Park is staging its first ever Light Up the Night festival. The multicultural event is a celebration of both Bonfire Night and Diwali, and will see the park come to life with fireworks, a light parade, and a range of different music acts – including a performance from Bollywood Brass Band.
The event is free to attend and no tickets are required. Click here to find out more
South London
Lambeth Fireworks
Saturday 3 November | 5:00pm - 9:00pm | First display: 6:45pm | Second Display: 8:00pm
The Lambeth Fireworks festival at Brockwell Park is back and better than ever with this year, with two displays for the price of one. The first will be a 'Kids' Movies' theme, set to the music from your favourite family films from Frozen to The Greatest Showman. The Time Tunnel will be the second explosive performance, with all the greatest anthems from the '80s to today. Expect to sing along to the likes of Beyonce, Whitney and Blur. This is the perfect opportunity to spend an evening with your favourite people enjoying the food stands, fun fair and fireworks.
Click here to book your tickets
Crystal Palace Park
Monday 5 November | 7pm children's show | 8:30pm main family show
Stop by Crystal Palace Park this Guy Fawkes night to watch the green space come alive with colour. There will be two shows commemorating the gunpowder treason and plot: one for children at 7pm, with fewer bangs but more colours, and the main event, which will take place at 8:30. All proceeds from the event will go to support St Christopher's.
Click here to book your tickets
East London
Waltham Forest
Monday 5 November | 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Enjoy some fresh air at Waltham Forest before the sky is set ablaze with fireworks this November. The display doesn't start until 8pm, but the gates to the food-filled fun fair open at 6:30pm. You might want to get there a bit earlier than that, though, to make sure you get a good spot to enjoy the festivities.
The event is free, just turn up.
Blackheath
Saturday 3 November | Funfair open from 12pm | Food stalls open from 5pm | Fireworks start at 8pm
Photo credit: Vickie Flores
Spend the whole day enjoying the fun fair before taking pictures of fireworks you'll actually want to look back on. Starting at 5pm, families are invited to Blackheath Common to enjoy an evening of fun before settling down to watch the dazzling pyrotechnic display.
The event is free, just turn up
Newham Fireworks Display
Saturday 3 November | Gates open at 6pm | Fireworks at 7:30pm
Fireworks set to a dramatic soundtrack will explode over Silvertown Quays for Newham Council’s Guy Fawks Firework Display. The display will open to the sounds of As One by electronic musician and composer Jean Michel Jarre with samples from Come Together by Primal Scream. This track has been specially chosen to mark 30 years since the composer’s Destination Docklands event on the Royal Victoria Dock in October 1988. The event will also include a funfair, food & drink stalls tunes from HEART FM’s DJ Roberto.
The event is free, just turn up
West London
Ealing Cricket Club
Saturday 3 November | 6:00pm: Gates open | 7:45pm: Fireworks display
The Ealing Cricket Club will be hosting another spectacular themed fireworks display. This year's event features a laser show and fireworks set to live and 'well known, patriotic music'. This family fun event will also feature fairground rides, a BBQ, mulled wine and candy floss to add a sweet touch to an evening of festive fun.
Click here to book tickets
Wimbledon Park
Wimbledon Park – Monday 5 November
Morden Park – Saturday 3 November
6:30pm: First bonfire lit | 6:45pm: Children's firework show | 8:15pm: Second bonfire lit | 8:30pm: Second fireworks show
The London Borough of Merton will be hosting two fireworks displays – one on the 3rd, the other on the 5th – both set to music. First, there will be one for the little ones – less bang, more colour – set to start at 6:45pm. This will be followed by a larger themed display at 8:30pm. As well as music and fireworks, there will be thrilling rides at the fun fair and delicious food available for purchase, with the festivities continuing on until 10pm.
Click here to book tickets
Central London
Battersea Park
Saturday 3 November | 6:00pm – 9:30pm
The legendary annual display at Battersea Park always goes off with a bang. Expect crowds and come early for a display by award-winning Jubilee Fireworks – also, as the queue for the bar is always snaking, we advise bringing along your own cans (glass is not allowed).
Book tickets early; they often sell out
Southwark Park
November 5 | 17:30pm - 20:30pm
Attracting tens of thousands every year, Southwark Park fireworks display is one of the largest free fireworks events in London, and has been going strong for over a decade. Family activities and food and drink will be available until 8pm. Details on tickets have yet to be announced, so watch this space for updates.
Looking for a fun, alternative spot?
If you want to watch the celebrations, but don't want to deal with the crowds, don't worry. You have options. Head up to the top floor of Heron Tower to watch London light up from the confines of Duck and Waffle. Visit the Shard's Oblix for a cocktail at their Lounge Bar and an uncluttered view of the festivities. Or, head down to Tattershall Castle, the pub on the Thames for a view that's a bit more down to earth.
North London
Alexandra Palace
Friday 2 November – Laser show: 8:30pm | Fireworks: 9pm
Saturday 3 November – Laser show: 7:30pm | Fireworks: 8pm
You'd be hard pressed to find a firework festival bigger or brighter than the yearly offering from Alexandra Palace. Be amazed by Cirque Bijou, or just partake in the Bier Festival. Families should arrive early to enjoy the ice-skating rink and the enormous family area with a bonfire and funfair. With live music from Friday's headliner DJ Norman Jay MBE, this is a must-see for the whole family.
Click here to book your tickets
Wembley Park’s Light Up the Night
Sunday 4 November | 4pm - 8pm | fireworks at 7pm
On Sunday 4 November, Wembley Park is staging its first ever Light Up the Night festival. The multicultural event is a celebration of both Bonfire Night and Diwali, and will see the park come to life with fireworks, a light parade, and a range of different music acts – including a performance from Bollywood Brass Band.
The event is free to attend and no tickets are required. Click here to find out more
South London
Lambeth Fireworks
Saturday 3 November | 5:00pm - 9:00pm | First display: 6:45pm | Second Display: 8:00pm
The Lambeth Fireworks festival at Brockwell Park is back and better than ever with this year, with two displays for the price of one. The first will be a 'Kids' Movies' theme, set to the music from your favourite family films from Frozen to The Greatest Showman. The Time Tunnel will be the second explosive performance, with all the greatest anthems from the '80s to today. Expect to sing along to the likes of Beyonce, Whitney and Blur. This is the perfect opportunity to spend an evening with your favourite people enjoying the food stands, fun fair and fireworks.
Click here to book your tickets
Crystal Palace Park
Monday 5 November | 7pm children's show | 8:30pm main family show
Stop by Crystal Palace Park this Guy Fawkes night to watch the green space come alive with colour. There will be two shows commemorating the gunpowder treason and plot: one for children at 7pm, with fewer bangs but more colours, and the main event, which will take place at 8:30. All proceeds from the event will go to support St Christopher's.
Click here to book your tickets
East London
Waltham Forest
Monday 5 November | 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Enjoy some fresh air at Waltham Forest before the sky is set ablaze with fireworks this November. The display doesn't start until 8pm, but the gates to the food-filled fun fair open at 6:30pm. You might want to get there a bit earlier than that, though, to make sure you get a good spot to enjoy the festivities.
The event is free, just turn up.
Blackheath
Saturday 3 November | Funfair open from 12pm | Food stalls open from 5pm | Fireworks start at 8pm
Photo credit: Vickie Flores
Spend the whole day enjoying the fun fair before taking pictures of fireworks you'll actually want to look back on. Starting at 5pm, families are invited to Blackheath Common to enjoy an evening of fun before settling down to watch the dazzling pyrotechnic display.
The event is free, just turn up
Newham Fireworks Display
Saturday 3 November | Gates open at 6pm | Fireworks at 7:30pm
Fireworks set to a dramatic soundtrack will explode over Silvertown Quays for Newham Council’s Guy Fawks Firework Display. The display will open to the sounds of As One by electronic musician and composer Jean Michel Jarre with samples from Come Together by Primal Scream. This track has been specially chosen to mark 30 years since the composer’s Destination Docklands event on the Royal Victoria Dock in October 1988. The event will also include a funfair, food & drink stalls tunes from HEART FM’s DJ Roberto.
The event is free, just turn up
West London
Ealing Cricket Club
Saturday 3 November | 6:00pm: Gates open | 7:45pm: Fireworks display
The Ealing Cricket Club will be hosting another spectacular themed fireworks display. This year's event features a laser show and fireworks set to live and 'well known, patriotic music'. This family fun event will also feature fairground rides, a BBQ, mulled wine and candy floss to add a sweet touch to an evening of festive fun.
Click here to book tickets
Wimbledon Park
Wimbledon Park – Monday 5 November
Morden Park – Saturday 3 November
6:30pm: First bonfire lit | 6:45pm: Children's firework show | 8:15pm: Second bonfire lit | 8:30pm: Second fireworks show
The London Borough of Merton will be hosting two fireworks displays – one on the 3rd, the other on the 5th – both set to music. First, there will be one for the little ones – less bang, more colour – set to start at 6:45pm. This will be followed by a larger themed display at 8:30pm. As well as music and fireworks, there will be thrilling rides at the fun fair and delicious food available for purchase, with the festivities continuing on until 10pm.
Click here to book tickets
Central London
Battersea Park
Saturday 3 November | 6:00pm – 9:30pm
The legendary annual display at Battersea Park always goes off with a bang. Expect crowds and come early for a display by award-winning Jubilee Fireworks – also, as the queue for the bar is always snaking, we advise bringing along your own cans (glass is not allowed).
Book tickets early; they often sell out
Southwark Park
November 5 | 17:30pm - 20:30pm
Attracting tens of thousands every year, Southwark Park fireworks display is one of the largest free fireworks events in London, and has been going strong for over a decade. Family activities and food and drink will be available until 8pm. Details on tickets have yet to be announced, so watch this space for updates.
Looking for a fun, alternative spot?
If you want to watch the celebrations, but don't want to deal with the crowds, don't worry. You have options. Head up to the top floor of Heron Tower to watch London light up from the confines of Duck and Waffle. Visit the Shard's Oblix for a cocktail at their Lounge Bar and an uncluttered view of the festivities. Or, head down to Tattershall Castle, the pub on the Thames for a view that's a bit more down to earth.
