Guy Fawkes Night 2019: best firework displays in London
Wondering where to watch the fireworks in London? Bonfire Night 2019 is ablaze with impressive displays. Culture Whisper rounds up the best
Guy Fawkes 2019: best firework displays in London
Remember, remember the 5th of November. Book now to make sure you don't
miss out on London's firework displays this year. The city will be
ablaze with bright colours and bangs all weekend long before the big
day, which falls on a Tuesday this year. While many displays are still to be announced, we've rounded up those you can book already.
Alexandra Palace
Friday 1 & Saturday 2 November | 6PM - 11PM
You'd be hard pressed to find a firework festival bigger or brighter than the yearly offering from Alexandra Palace. The celebrations begin with a new addition to the event: a pagan-inspired fire-lighting ritual, designed by Mutoid Waste, whose previous work has been featured at Glastonbury. Families should arrive early to enjoy the ice-skating rink, bonfire and funfair before the fireworks display and laser show begin.
Former Radio 1 DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank is behind the decks this year, while in Café de Pally, critically-acclaimed comedian Ed Night is presenting live bands, cabaret and a host of stand-up sets. Sizzling hot dogs and other street food comes by way of StrEATlife Village, while drinks are largely of the pint variety, thanks to the site hosting UK's largest German Bier Festival alongside the firework festivities.
Click here to book your tickets
Crystal Palace Park
Saturday 2 November | 7PM children's show | 8:30PM main family show
Head to Crystal Palace Park this Guy Fawkes night to watch the green space come to life 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
Battersea Park
Saturday 2 November | 6PM – 9:30PM
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 award-winning Jubilee Fireworks. As the queue for the bar is always snaking, we advise bringing along your own cans (glass is not allowed). New for 2019 is the Battersea Park Fireworks after party. The festivities are taking place in Battersea Evolution (in the park), and are a chance to enjoy live music, food and drink until 1am.
Click here to book tickets
Wimbledon Park
Morden Park on Saturday 2 November | Wimbledon Park on Tuesday 5 November
6:30pm: Family firework show | 8:15pm: Second fireworks show
The London Borough of Merton is once again hosting two fireworks displays – one on Saturday 2 in Morden Park, the other on Tuesday 5 in Wimbledon Park – both of which are set to music. First, there’s one for the little ones – less bang, more colour – set to start at 6:30pm in both locations. This is followed by a larger themed display at 8:30pm. 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
Blackheath
Saturday 2 November | Funfair open from 12PM | Food stalls open from 5PM | Fireworks start at 8PM
Photo credit: Vickie Flores
Blackheath’s fireworks have been delighting local residents as well as those from further afield for over 30 years. Run by Lewisham Council, the display is one of few major unticketed events in London. But due to severe government cuts, the display has run the risk of being cancelled these past few years and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to stay in action.
Thankfully, the 2019 display is set to go ahead - and with a full afternoon and evening of entertainment. If you arrive early, head first to the fun fair (which opens at 12pm) before tucking into a hearty plate of food (hot dogs, jerk chicken and more on offer), and finally, cosy up to watch the fireworks explode across the sky.
The event is free to attend and unticketed, but you can donate to the crowdfunding page here
Walker Fireworks
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 5PM | Fireworks at 7:30PM
The annual Walker Ground fireworks display is one of the largest in north London and has been enjoyed by thousands over the 35 years it's been running. The fireworks kick off at 7:30pm, but those who arrive early can enjoy fairground rides and street food including wood-fired pizza, Greek kebabs, waffles and candy floss.
Click here to buy tickets
Newham Fireworks Display
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 5:30pm | Fireworks at 7:30pm
Fireworks set to a dramatic soundtrack will explode over Silvertown Quays for Newham Fireworks Night. The theme of the display, which expects to welcome 20,000 guests, is the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Expect a display filled with sequences and special features designed to shock the senses with its intense brilliance across the Royal Docks’ skyline. The event will also include a funfair, food and drink stalls, and tunes from HEART FM’s DJ Roberto.
The event is free, just turn up
Ealing Cricket Club
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 6PM | Fireworks at 7:45PM
The Ealing Cricket Club is hosting another of its spectacular themed firework displays this year. Rolling with the theme of ‘fireworks showtime’, the event includes a laser show and fireworks set to live and 'well known, patriotic music'. Also on the grounds are 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
Southwark Park
Tuesday 5 November | 5PM - 8PM (last entry 6:30PM)
Attracting tens of thousands every year, Southwark Park fireworks display is one of the largest free fireworks events in London, and is now in its 16th year. Family activities and food and drink will be available until 8pm.
Click here to book tickets
City Cruises: Bonfire Fireworks Cruise
Saturday 2 November | 7PM - 9:15PM
All aboard for a different sort of Guy Fawkes celebration: City Cruises is taking guests on an after-dark jaunt down the River Thames to watch the Battersea Park fireworks from the (hopefully not too choppy) waters. Step on board at Westminster Pier, and enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine and canapés as you glide past lit-up landmarks along the riverside before reaching your final destination. Tickets don’t come cheap at £39 a pop (£29 for children), but to avoid any shoulder barging or standing behind someone double your height, you may well find it’s worth it.
Click here to book tickets
Something for later in the year...
Wembley Park’s Light Up the Night
Sunday 10 November | 5PM - 7PM | fireworks at 7PM
Following the success of its inaugural Light Up the Night festival last year, Wembley Park is staging another this autumn on Sunday 10 November. 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
Alexandra Palace
Friday 1 & Saturday 2 November | 6PM - 11PM
You'd be hard pressed to find a firework festival bigger or brighter than the yearly offering from Alexandra Palace. The celebrations begin with a new addition to the event: a pagan-inspired fire-lighting ritual, designed by Mutoid Waste, whose previous work has been featured at Glastonbury. Families should arrive early to enjoy the ice-skating rink, bonfire and funfair before the fireworks display and laser show begin.
Former Radio 1 DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank is behind the decks this year, while in Café de Pally, critically-acclaimed comedian Ed Night is presenting live bands, cabaret and a host of stand-up sets. Sizzling hot dogs and other street food comes by way of StrEATlife Village, while drinks are largely of the pint variety, thanks to the site hosting UK's largest German Bier Festival alongside the firework festivities.
Click here to book your tickets
Crystal Palace Park
Saturday 2 November | 7PM children's show | 8:30PM main family show
Head to Crystal Palace Park this Guy Fawkes night to watch the green space come to life 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
Battersea Park
Saturday 2 November | 6PM – 9:30PM
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 award-winning Jubilee Fireworks. As the queue for the bar is always snaking, we advise bringing along your own cans (glass is not allowed). New for 2019 is the Battersea Park Fireworks after party. The festivities are taking place in Battersea Evolution (in the park), and are a chance to enjoy live music, food and drink until 1am.
Click here to book tickets
Wimbledon Park
Morden Park on Saturday 2 November | Wimbledon Park on Tuesday 5 November
6:30pm: Family firework show | 8:15pm: Second fireworks show
The London Borough of Merton is once again hosting two fireworks displays – one on Saturday 2 in Morden Park, the other on Tuesday 5 in Wimbledon Park – both of which are set to music. First, there’s one for the little ones – less bang, more colour – set to start at 6:30pm in both locations. This is followed by a larger themed display at 8:30pm. 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
Blackheath
Saturday 2 November | Funfair open from 12PM | Food stalls open from 5PM | Fireworks start at 8PM
Photo credit: Vickie Flores
Blackheath’s fireworks have been delighting local residents as well as those from further afield for over 30 years. Run by Lewisham Council, the display is one of few major unticketed events in London. But due to severe government cuts, the display has run the risk of being cancelled these past few years and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to stay in action.
Thankfully, the 2019 display is set to go ahead - and with a full afternoon and evening of entertainment. If you arrive early, head first to the fun fair (which opens at 12pm) before tucking into a hearty plate of food (hot dogs, jerk chicken and more on offer), and finally, cosy up to watch the fireworks explode across the sky.
The event is free to attend and unticketed, but you can donate to the crowdfunding page here
Walker Fireworks
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 5PM | Fireworks at 7:30PM
The annual Walker Ground fireworks display is one of the largest in north London and has been enjoyed by thousands over the 35 years it's been running. The fireworks kick off at 7:30pm, but those who arrive early can enjoy fairground rides and street food including wood-fired pizza, Greek kebabs, waffles and candy floss.
Click here to buy tickets
Newham Fireworks Display
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 5:30pm | Fireworks at 7:30pm
Fireworks set to a dramatic soundtrack will explode over Silvertown Quays for Newham Fireworks Night. The theme of the display, which expects to welcome 20,000 guests, is the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Expect a display filled with sequences and special features designed to shock the senses with its intense brilliance across the Royal Docks’ skyline. The event will also include a funfair, food and drink stalls, and tunes from HEART FM’s DJ Roberto.
The event is free, just turn up
Ealing Cricket Club
Saturday 2 November | Gates open at 6PM | Fireworks at 7:45PM
The Ealing Cricket Club is hosting another of its spectacular themed firework displays this year. Rolling with the theme of ‘fireworks showtime’, the event includes a laser show and fireworks set to live and 'well known, patriotic music'. Also on the grounds are 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
Southwark Park
Tuesday 5 November | 5PM - 8PM (last entry 6:30PM)
Attracting tens of thousands every year, Southwark Park fireworks display is one of the largest free fireworks events in London, and is now in its 16th year. Family activities and food and drink will be available until 8pm.
Click here to book tickets
City Cruises: Bonfire Fireworks Cruise
Saturday 2 November | 7PM - 9:15PM
All aboard for a different sort of Guy Fawkes celebration: City Cruises is taking guests on an after-dark jaunt down the River Thames to watch the Battersea Park fireworks from the (hopefully not too choppy) waters. Step on board at Westminster Pier, and enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine and canapés as you glide past lit-up landmarks along the riverside before reaching your final destination. Tickets don’t come cheap at £39 a pop (£29 for children), but to avoid any shoulder barging or standing behind someone double your height, you may well find it’s worth it.
Click here to book tickets
Something for later in the year...
Wembley Park’s Light Up the Night
Sunday 10 November | 5PM - 7PM | fireworks at 7PM
Following the success of its inaugural Light Up the Night festival last year, Wembley Park is staging another this autumn on Sunday 10 November. 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
