Put the costumes away and get our your sparklers, remember, remember the 5th of November! But if your budget will only stretch to a couple of sparklers and apple bobbing and your garden has less surface area than a squashed pumpkin, then you might want to check out one of the stunning public firework displays taking place around the capital this week.
Tomorrow, on Guy Fawkes' night itself, Lambeth Council are offering up three simultaneous displays for free. You can catch fireworks illuminating the fantastic citywide views from Brockwell Park or watch a display on Clapham and Streatham commons. from 7.30pm, free.
The annual Westway free fireworks will also be going off in Maxilla Park from 6.15pm (an extraordinary small space for this monstrously good and unpredictable party). Watch out for stilt walkers, sweets and a massive bonfire. Also watch out for this if you're driving along the Westway, tomorrow night!
At the other end of the scale, out at Kempton Park Racecourse (Sunbury on Thames... c'mon, that's London... just) they've bizarrely plumped for a Las Vegas theme with casino tables, showgirls and a vintage disco (from 5pm, fireworks 10pm, £16, kids go free.)
On Friday night Kingston Community Fireworks will be laying on a fairground and a live set from Radio Jackie DJs. Get there before 7.45pm for fireworks at 8pm and it's only £4/3 if you book in advance.
Ally Pally has been putting on one of the best bonfire nights in London for over a century and will continue that tradition on Saturday with added entertainments that include Britain's largest German Bier Fest, a funfair, the indoor skating rink and live music. Starts from 4.30pm, fireworks 7.30, entry donation £4 adults, £2 children.
On the same day the Lord Mayor's Show culminates with over half a tonne of explosives launching from a barge moored on the Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges. This freebie performance is best viewed from the South Bank and Victoria Embankment from 5pm, free.
So, even if you are less spooked by Halloween than by the grim forebodings of the annual fireworks safety campaigns or in this recession wracked climate, by the idea that fireworks are pretty much money going up in smoke, enjoy one of these spectacular and credit-crunch friendly shows a visit.
UPDATE: NB - Brent Council are very sorry but they've had to cancel their event due to predicted bad wind.
By Amy Dawson
Image courtesy of Magda Rakita via the Londonist Flickrpool
London is free has a more extensive list of free local firework displays.
