UK’s Largest Guy Fawkes Day Fireworks Displays

The UK’s largest bonfire and firework displays for the 2026 season feature major regional spectacles and large-scale public events. See below for some of the biggest Bonfire Night displays in Britain.

Abingdon Airfield (Abingdon Funfair & Fireworks)

Officially the UK’s biggest fireworks show with the South’s biggest fairground and a huge bonfire. Features a massive 270-degree wrap-around show. The event also hosts a massive fairground featuring over 100 rides, games, and stalls ranging from family-friendly favorites to high-intensity thrill rides.

Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026

Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival, North London

One of the biggest and most popular celebrations in London, featuring a two-day festival with a drone display, fireworks over the skyline, an ice-skating rink, funfair, London’s largest German bierfest, street food and live music. On Sunday 8 November, families can look forward to an earlier fireworks display, a jungle-themed kids’ rave, a karaoke singalong hosted by Shaun Williamson, best known as Barry from EastEnders, and a fantastic line-up of entertainment for all ages.

Date: 7-8 November 2026

Lewes Bonfire Night, East Sussex

The event in Lewes is famous as one of the world’s largest and most historic Bonfire Night celebrations, drawing large crowds for torchlit processions, effigies, and multiple bonfires across town.

The event also honours the memory of 17 Protestant martyrs from the town who were burned at the stake for their religious beliefs during the Marian Persecutions (1553-1558).

Lewes Bonfire is an event exclusively for local residents, and visitors are strongly advised not to travel into the town to watch the celebrations. With narrow streets, large crowds, flaming torches and firecrackers, the event can present significant safety risks. There are also no train services to or from Lewes on the night, and road closures will be in place. However, the celebrations can still be enjoyed from afar, with this year’s event once again being live-streamed from the War Memorial by Lewes the Podcast and Rocket FM, allowing viewers around the world to join in.

Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026

Battersea Park Fireworks, London

A massive riverside display organized by Wandsworth Council in Battersea Park, south London, known for its huge central bonfire, music-choreographed fireworks show, and great atmosphere. Saturday offers a later fireworks display alongside a lively evening of celebrations, while Sunday brings an earlier display and a programme of entertainment aimed at families.

Date: 7-8 November 2026

Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular, Kent

This is one of the South East’s premier events. It features a dramatic music-choreographed firework and projection display. This is all set against the historic backdrop of the illuminated Leeds Castle in Kent. This year’s theme focuses on songs about time. There is also a large fireworks display set to a selection of well-known tracks. Enjoy an evening of music and pyrotechnics, accompanied by both projections and laser effects.

Date: 7-8 November 2026

The arrest of Guy Fawkes in the basement of the Houses of Parliament

Guy Fawkes

Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night is a macabre celebration of the discovery of the so-called “Gunpowder Plot” to assassinate King James I of England in 1605. People all over the country will attend firework displays. Alternatively, they will have private bonfires in their gardens with lots of rockets, sparklers and mulled wine to keep warm.

A Blue Plaque Historic Marker marks the spot of Guy Fawkes’ birth in 1570

Execution

Guy (aka Guido) Fawkes was the man behind the attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. He was a Catholic soldier-of-fortune from York, and was arrested on November 5th and tortured in the Tower. He was subsequently taken after a perfunctory trial to the Old Palace Yard at Westminster on 31 January 1606. There with his fellow conspirators to be hung, drawn and quartered.

Fawkes managed to escape the worst of his fate by jumping from the scaffold. He subsequently broke his neck and killed himself. The rest of the grisly punishment was nonetheless performed on his corpse. His entrails were ripped out, his genitals cut off and burnt and his body chopped into pieces.

Other UK Fireworks Displays

Fireworks displays in the south west of England celebrating this successful interdiction of 17th century religious terrorism include.

Bath

Bath Rotary Charity Fireworks Fiesta on Saturday 7 November 2026 at The Recreation Ground (The Rec) right in the city center. This is the longest-running community display in Bath, celebrating over 40 years of local fundraising.

Bristol

The main Guy Fawkes event in Bristol is the Downend Round Table Fireworks Extravaganza. This year it takes place on Friday 6 November at the King George V Playing Fields. There is a children’s show at 6.30 pm and the main event follows at 8 pm.

Exeter

The big annual fireworks event in Exeter is the Exeter Round Table Charity Fireworks Extravaganza. It takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at the Westpoint Arena, east of the city center.

Plymouth

The big bash in Plymouth is the official Bonfire Night on Plymouth Hoe. It occurs on the traditional night of Thursday 5 November 2026.
This is Plymouth’s hallmark celebration and one of the largest free public Bonfire Night events in the UK. It regularly attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the waterfront.

November 5 also sees the annual Ottery St Mary tar barreling, when the local pubs sponsor a tar-soaked wooden barrel. This is then set alight and carried through the streets by men, women and even children.

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