Bonfire Night 2026 falls on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Because it is a weekday, many public fireworks displays across the UK will be held on the weekends either side — Saturday 31 October, Sunday 1 November, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November. Here is everything you need for Bonfire Night 2026: the date, the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, traditions and food, the biggest displays and the firework safety rules.
When Is Bonfire Night 2026?
| Date | Thursday, 5 November 2026 |
| Also called | Guy Fawkes Night, Fireworks Night |
| Public displays | Mostly weekend of 31 Oct – 1 Nov and 6 – 7 Nov |
| Fireworks allowed until | Midnight on 5 November (usually 11 PM in England and Wales) |
| Bank holiday? | No |
Remember that the clocks go back on 25 October, so it is dark by around 4:30 PM — perfect for early family displays. See our clocks go back 2026 guide.
Why Do We Celebrate Bonfire Night?
On the night of 4–5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar beneath the House of Lords. He was part of the Gunpowder Plot, a conspiracy led by Robert Catesby to blow up Parliament during the State Opening and kill King James I. After the plot failed, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate the King’s survival, and Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act, making the day one of annual thanksgiving.
The famous rhyme sums it up: “Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.”
Bonfire Night Traditions
- Bonfires – often topped with a “guy”, an effigy of Guy Fawkes.
- Fireworks – community displays in parks, fields and racecourses.
- Sparklers – for writing names in the dark (with gloves on).
- “Penny for the guy” – an old tradition of children collecting money with a homemade guy.
- Bonfire food – toffee apples, treacle toffee, parkin, jacket potatoes, sausages in rolls and hot chocolate.
Best Bonfire Night Displays in the UK
- Lewes, East Sussex – the most famous Bonfire Night in Britain, with torch-lit processions by bonfire societies; the town asks visitors to plan ahead as roads and trains are restricted.
- London – large ticketed displays in parks such as Battersea and Blackheath (check each year for dates).
- Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff – major city displays, usually on the nearest weekend.
- Local councils and schools – smaller, family-friendly shows and fundraisers.
Always check event websites for 2026 dates, tickets and weather cancellations.
Bonfire Night Food Ideas
- Toffee apples – dip apples in hot sugar syrup and let them set.
- Parkin – sticky Yorkshire ginger cake made with oats and treacle.
- Treacle toffee (called bonfire toffee in the north).
- Jacket potatoes baked in foil at the edge of the fire.
- Sausage rolls and hot dogs.
- Hot chocolate or mulled apple juice in flasks.
Firework Safety Rules for Bonfire Night 2026
- Only buy fireworks marked with the UKCA or CE mark from registered sellers; it is illegal to sell fireworks to under-18s.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Read the instructions using a torch, not a naked flame.
- Light at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
- Never go back to a lit firework, even if it has not gone off.
- Give children gloves for sparklers and put used sparklers in a bucket of water.
- Keep pets indoors with curtains closed and the TV or radio on.
- Build bonfires away from houses, trees and sheds, and check them for hedgehogs before lighting.
More Autumn Plans
Bonfire Night comes just after Halloween, so it is a busy few weeks. Plan ahead with our Halloween party ideas, fall activities and best places to visit in October.
Bonfire Night 2026 FAQ
What day is Bonfire Night 2026?
Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Why is it called Guy Fawkes Night?
After Guy Fawkes, the conspirator caught guarding gunpowder under Parliament in 1605.
What time can fireworks go off on Bonfire Night?
In England and Wales, until midnight on 5 November, instead of the usual 11 PM curfew.
Is Bonfire Night celebrated outside the UK?
Yes, in some Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, and in parts of Canada and Australia on a smaller scale.
Official firework rules are on GOV.UK: Fireworks – the law.
