London's bonfire night fireworks are among the best in the country — and this year they're back with a bang. Accompanying the explosive entertainment are funfair rides, cockle-warming grub, and various other festivities. Here's our guide to firework displays and bonfire night events across London on and around 5 November 2023 (which, FYI, falls on a Sunday this year).
Firework displays in north London: November 2023
ALEXANDRA PALACE FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2023: The daddy of north London bonfire events, Ally Pally's Fireworks Festival is more than a mere pyrotechnics display — in fact it's been described as the 'Glastonbury of fireworks'. In the past, family-friendly activities have included an ice disco and film screenings; there have been street food stalls by StrEATlife festival, plus a German Bier Festival (complete with Elvis tribute) for older audience members. And that's before we even get to the fireworks themselves, which are released against a stunningly scenic backdrop. A huge, roaring bonfire is the icing on the cake toffee on the apple. 3-4 November
HARROW & WEMBLEY FIREWORKS 2023: Byron Park is the location for Harrow Fireworks — an afternoon and evening event incorporating a small fun fair, as well as a bar marquee and a world food arena. That's all open from 12pm, with free entry until 3pm. You'll need a ticket after that, with the fireworks action sparking up around 7.30pm. If you don't book in advance, it's cash only on the gate, no cards, as the event supports the Save Our Cash campaign. 4 November
SOUTHGATE FIREWORKS 2023: Head to The Walker Ground sports complex for Southgate's fireworks, complete with stilt walkers, a fire show, live music, circus skills performances, food and drink. Fireworks display starts at 7.30pm. 4 November
Firework displays in south London: November 2023
ORPINGTON FIREWORKS 2023: Kick off fireworks weekend at Orpington Golf Centre, which offers a family-friendly firework event incorporating a live DJ and food and drink stalls, with the display at 7.30pm. 3 November
DULWICH FIREWORKS 2023: The 'kids for a quid' offer is back for the fireworks at Dulwich Sports Club — making it popular with local families. The 20-minute display is accompanied by the likes of burgers, Indian and pizza — washed down with ale or mulled wine. 4 November
CARSHALTON FIREWORKS 2023: Wallington and Carhsalton Round Table is lighting the fuse for the fireworks display in Carshalton Park — which also incorporates a light and laser show ahead of the main display, replacing the traditional bonfire. 4 November
BROMLEY FIREWORKS 2023: Bromley High School's grounds host a firework display for the third time, along with new funfair rides, more food stalls and a bar, as well as a bigger display this year. 4 November
BATTERSEA PARK FIREWORKS 2023: One of the biggest displays in the capital, Battersea Park's fireworks take place across two nights. Full 2032 details haven't been announced at time of writing, but last year, Saturday night was a traditional fireworks event, with bonfire, sing-along fireworks display, and autumnal food and drink stalls. Sunday night was the family-friendly event — earlier start time, light installation instead of a bonfire, fireworks display, and sweet treats at Sweetieland. Both events took environmental considerations seriously; no single-use plastic will be issued, and fireworks provider Titanium Fireworks is partnered with a UK tree planting scheme to offset the footprint of all explosives and their journey to the event. 4-5 November
STUDIO 338 FIREWORKS, GREENWICH: The Fire in the Sky club night event returns to Studio 338 events venue in North Greenwich, including a fireworks and pyrotechnics show, with a soundtrack of underground house and tech music played by DJs running throughout the night — which runs until 6am! Age 18+. 4 November
BECKENHAM FIREWORKS 2023: Croydon Road Recreation Ground is the venue for Beckenham's fireworks display, organised by and raising money for the 5th Beckenham South Scout Group and other local causes. There's a quieter display for younger children at 6pm, and the biggie at 7.45pm, both set to music. There are funfair rides and over 20 food stalls, and this year an advanced ticket is required. 4 November
WIMBLEDON PARK FIREWORKS 2023: Merton Council runs two official firework shows, the first of which is the Wimbledon Park fireworks display. There's a food village and funfair on site, and two displays in one night — the earlier (6.45pm) is aimed at families, with a 'magic' theme, while the latter (8.30pm) is more for adults, with a 'one hit wonders' music theme. 4 November
DANSON PARK FIREWORKS 2023: Welling Round Table's fireworks display takes place in Danson Park, Bexley, raising money for local causes. Gates open at 5pm, and there's live music from The Resolve and Little Talks, a funfair and food and drink stalls to enjoy. At 8pm, there's a 20-minute spectacular over the park's lake, choreographed to music. Tickets are sold exclusively via Skiddle, and you won't be able to purchase on the door. 4 November
MORDEN PARK FIREWORKS 2023: Merton's second display (see Wimbledon Park, above for the first) is in Morden Park on Guy Fawkes Night itself. It's a similar set-up, with food stalls, a funfair, and two different displays in one evening. For both events, organisers are working on sustainability this year, by making a donation to Just One Tree in order to offset the carbon footprint of the show, by purchasing pyrotechnics from European suppliers rather than those in China, and by working with the supplier to recycle some of the plastic tubes within the fireworks, which otherwise would be single-use. 5 November
Looking for other regular displays in south London? Lewisham Council cancelled the famous Blackheath fireworks last year due to funding issues, and the displays in Southwark Park and Crystal Palace didn't go ahead either. Fingers crossed they return for 2023!
Firework displays in east London: November 2023
Bad news, east Londoners — neither the Clissold Park nor the Victoria Park displays look to be going ahead this year. There is, however, a new Bonfire Night event for 2023:
WALTHAM FOREST: Fellowship Square in Waltham Forest hosts a light show to mark Bonfire Night — a more environmentally-friendly alternative to the traditional fireworks. In place of whizzbangs, a light show will be projected onto the facade of Waltham Forest Town Hall, with lights, projections and fire effects, choreographed to a soundtrack. Pre-show entertainment includes fire jugglers, and street food from KERB. 3-5 November
Firework displays in west London: November 2023
RUISLIP FIREWORKS 2023: Head to McGovern Park for a fireworks event with a Disney Prince and Princess theme. A funfair, stilt walkers, face painting, Irish dancing, live music from Ivy Mae, food stalls, bars and an after-party DJ Spector are all part of the fun... phew. Oh yeah, there's also a fireworks display (7.30pm). 3 November
HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM FAWKES FESTIVAL 2023: Hammersmith & Fulham Council didn't hold its firework display in Ravenscourt Park last year, citing complaints from local residents and environmental concerns. But it's back with a brand-new, eco-friendly event for 2023, in the form of a lights and laser show. The Fawkes Festival has a theme of 'a night at the movies', with lights, lasers, flames and special effects all choreographed to a soundtrack, with funfair rides, bubble performances, LED stilt walkers, neon face painting and other entertainment to enjoy before the display. The displays take place across two days, in two venues — Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park — on both days. 3-4 November
BARNES FIREWORKS 2023: Barnes Sports Club is the venue for Barnes Bonfire Night. Get building your Guy for the Best Guy competition — winner gets the honour of lighting the bonfire. Food and drink stalls, a bar and DJs are all part of the build-up to the main event. 4 November
RICHMOND FIREWORKS 2023: Richmond's annual family fireworks are back at Richmond Athletic Ground. As well as the choreographed display, the event includes funfair rides, food and drink stalls — plus an afterparty in the Members' Bar. 5 November
KINGSTON FIREWORKS 2023: After a couple of years of Covid cancellations, the Kingston fireworks at the Kingston Weir Archer Athletics Stadium were due to go ahead last year, until they were cancelled last-minute. Watch this space to see if the event is back for 2023.
Have we missed any? Let us know by emailing hello@londonist.com. We'll continue updating this guide as more 2023 firework displays are announced.
Viewpoints to watch London's 2023 fireworks displays
LONDON FIREWORKS NIGHT CRUISE: City Cruises offers a two-hour cruise along the Thames on 4 November, with live music on board. Pass a host of London landmarks before mooring up in the perfect position to watch the Battersea Park fireworks from the river. Adults and children welcome. 4 November
SKYLIGHT, WAPPING AND PECKHAM: Both of the Skylight rooftop bars are touting themselves as an ideal place fro which to catch all of the action in London's skies. Each venue hosts a Guy Fawkes party with food, drink and DJs, and though they won't be releasing any fireworks themselves, they offer great views over the capital so you're bound to catch sight of something happening somewhere. Peckham and Tobacco Dock, both 5 November
