While nowadays, the idea of blowing up parliament and everyone in it is justifiably frowned upon these days, it hasn't stopped us celebrating the fifth of November - the day a chap called Guy Fawkes was busted with gun powder and fuses in a failed assassination plot that included blasting to pieces Parliament and everyone in it. 

Whether Fawkes is a terrorist or hero is up to you, but thanks to him we now get an excuse to have some wintery fun and set the cold November night sky ablaze with colour at annual Bonfire Night celebrations. 

Celebrate November 5 with a bang at any one of London's best Bonfire Night firework displays. 

1 Walthamstow Forest Bonfire Night

Waltham Forest's Bonfire Night will set the night sky ablaze over the Town Hall at Fellowship Square, with a more environmentally conscious experience. Instead of fireworks, there will be a specially created light show, that comes with fire jugglers and other pre-show entertainment. Street food kings Kerb will provide the nosh as well. 

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, November 4 & 5

Tickets: From £6.13

Address: Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JF

Website: eventbrite.com

 

2 Barnes Bonfire Night

Barnes Village's Bonfire Night comes with a community feel. At the time of writing, details of this year's event haven't been confirmed. Going by last year's bash however, expect a traditional bonfire, BBQ, mulled wine, DJs and a firework display above the Thames - charmed, right? Last year's bash ran a  Best Guy competition, with the winner given the chance to light the bonfire, and sparklers and glowsticks could be bought on the night.

Date: TBC

Time: TBC

Tickets: TBC

Address: The Clubhouse, 261 Lonsdale Road, SW13 9QL

Website: barnessportsclub.com

3 Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival

More than just a massive fireworks display - and the night has a massive fireworks display - Ally Pally's Bonfire Night bash is a festival of sorts, with DJs - this year's line up includes DJ Fat Tony, food and drink as well as an ice disco at the venues ice rink. Jonny Woo and queer performance venue The Glory takeover on Friday night, while Saturday is for bands and live music. On top of this, the Great Hall is currently the German Bier Festival, and the palace's theatre has film screenings for young and old.

Date: Friday & Saturday, November 3-4

Time: Doors at 6pm/4pm

Tickets: From £4.50

Address: Alexandra Palace Way N22 7AY

Website: fireworks.london

 

4 Chiswick Park Fireworks Extravaganza

Although information for this year's fireworks is still tbc, this annual evening comes with music, food and drink vendors and the chance to watch - or try for yourself - a charity firewalk, where the brave strutt barefoot across hot embers burning at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit for a good cause. 

Date: TBC

Time: TBC

Tickets: TBC

Address: 566 Chiswick High Road London W4 5YA

Website: enjoy-work.com

5 Dulwich Firework Display

A display geared towards the little ones and family, this bash comes with a kids bar. There's also music, and lots of food and drink options to choose from - including mulled wine and real ale for the adults.

Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: Doors at 5pm

Tickets: £120/£1 adult/child

Address: Dulwich Sports Club Giant Arches Road SE24 9HP

Website: eventbrite.co.uk

6 Epsom Fireworks and Funfair

With two displays, an earlier one at 6.30pm for little kids and a second at 7.30pm, the Epsom Fireworks and Funfair is a family-friendly neighbourhood night. The fun fair that comes with the fireworks display should keep the family entertained as well. 

Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: Gates open at 5.30pm

Tickets: From £11

Address: Hook Road Arena, Chessington Road, Epsom, KT19 8QG

Website: kingstonfireworks.co.uk

7 Ealing and Harrow Fireworks Display

Starting in the afternoon, the Ealing and Harrow Fireworks Display has live music, a funfair, a full bar, face painting, glitter tattoos, and Diwali art. Free entry to visit between 12pm-3pm.

Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: Gates from 12pm

Tickets: £10/£8 adult/child; group and concession tickets are available

Address: Peel Road, Harrow HA3 7QX

Website: ealingfireworks.co.uk

 

8 Battersea Park

On for two nights, the Saturday spectacle has a sing-along display, as well as a traditional bonfire, food and mulled wine vendors. The Sunday display has been tailored to families and children, with stuff to keeep the kids entertained around this and mulled wine again for the adults. Put on by the team behind the Mayor of London’s New year’s eve celebrations and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, this event often sells out, so be quick.

Date: Saturday & Sunday November 4 & 

Time: Saturday 6pm; Sunday 5pm

Price: £12.30

Address: Battersea Park, various gates, SW11 4NJ

Website: batterseaparkfireworks.com

9 Wimbledon Park Musical Fireworks

Two pyrotechnic displays are on the bill here, with the earlier, family firework display put to magic themed soundtrack, while the later show comes with a "One hit wonders" score that boasts hits from previous decades.  A funfair will be on site and there's food and drink to enjoy as well.

how with a ‘One hit wonders’ musical theme (big tunes from past decades).

Date: Saturday November 4

Time: Gates open 5.15pm

Tickets: From £10.07, group and concessions available

Address: Home Park Road, Wimbledon SW19 8AU

Website: merton.gov.uk

 

10 Morden Park Musical Fireworks

This one should be the similar, if not the same, to Wimbledon Park’s event, but just the day after. So expect all the same entertainment, refreshments and gunpower as the last one.

Date: Sunday, November 5

Time: Gates open 5.15pm

Tickets: From £10.07, group and concessions available

Address: London Road, Morden SM4 5QX

Website: merton.gov.uk

 

11 Beckenham Fireworks

A family-friendly fireworks night that has been running since 1946. There's two displays on the night, and while both are set to music, the first display is quieter and ideal for smaller children and the second display of the evening is the full spectacle the night’s main show. There’s also plenty of food and drink stalls as well as rides, funfair activities and face-painting. Money raised goes towards Scouts and other charitable causes.

Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: 6pm & 7.45pm

Tickets: £15/£5 adult/child, concession and group tickets available and U10s go free.

Address: Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Croydon Road BR3 3PR or Village Way BR3 3NJ

Website: beckenhamfireworks.com

For more information about Bonfire Night, go to visitlondon.com