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 2024 (which, FYI, falls on a Tuesday this year).
Firework displays in central London
For obvious reasons, there aren't that many firework displays and bonfire night events in central London... but there is one, and it's free:
CORAM'S FIELDS, BLOOMSBURY: Coram's Fields is a very special park, where adults must be accompanied by a child at all times. On Bonfire Night, it opens its gates to 6,000 people for a free firework display. The 18-minute long show is accompanied by funfair rides and food and drink stalls. FREE, 5 November
Firework displays in north London
ALEXANDRA PALACE FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2024: 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'. Family-friendly activities include an ice disco and film screenings; and there are street food stalls by StrEATlife festival, plus a German Bier Festival. And that's before we even get to the fireworks themselves, which are released against a stunningly scenic backdrop. A mountainous, roaring bonfire is the icing on the cake toffee on the apple. 1-2 November
ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS: If ever a place was named for a fireworks event, it's Royal Gunpowder Mills, located on the London/Essex/Hertfordshire border. It opened in the 17th century, making gunpowder which was used in the Civil War. These days it's maintained as an historic attraction, but for one Saturday night, the bangs return. Gates open at 3.30pm with fire performers, face painting, funfair rides, musketeers and a live band entertaining crowds until the fireworks display. 2 November SOLD OUT
BOUNDS GREEN: Wild Wolf Explorer Scout Unit offers a family-friendly fireworks display at Scout Park in Bounds Green. The event is run by the young people who make up the Scout Unit, giving them a chance to put their skills into action. 2 November
SOUTHGATE FIREWORKS 2024: Head to The Walker Ground sports complex for Southgate's fireworks, complete with rides, inflatables, and warming refreshments. 2 November
HARROW FIREWORKS 2024: 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, celebrating both Bonfire Night and Diwali. That's all open from 12pm, with free entry until 3pm. You'll need a ticket after that, with the fireworks sparking up around 7.45pm. 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. 9 November
Firework displays in south London
DULWICH FIREWORKS 2024: 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. Live music kicks off at 5.30pm, with the fireworks display at 7pm. 2 November SOLD OUT
BECKENHAM FIREWORKS 2024: 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, followed by the biggie at 7.45pm. Both are set to music. There are also funfair rides and over 20 food stalls. 2 November
DANSON PARK FIREWORKS 2024: 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, 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. 2 November
MORDEN PARK FIREWORKS 2024: Merton Council runs two official firework shows, the first of which is the Morden 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, while the latter (8.30pm) is more for adults. 2 November
BATTERSEA PARK FIREWORKS 2024: One of the biggest displays in the capital, Battersea Park's fireworks take place across two nights. Full 2024 details haven't been announced at time of writing, but usually, Saturday night is a traditional fireworks event, with bonfire, sing-along fireworks display, and autumnal food and drink stalls. Sunday night is the family-friendly event — earlier start time, light installation instead of a bonfire, fireworks display, and sweet treats at Sweetieland. Both events take 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. 2-3 November (SATURDAY NOW SOLD OUT)
WIMBLEDON PARK FIREWORKS 2024: Merton's second display (see Morden Park, above, for the first) is in Wimbledon 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. Last year they made 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 would otherwise be single-use. 5 November
BROMLEY FIREWORKS 2024: Bromley High School's grounds host a firework display for the fourth time, along with funfair rides, food stalls and a bar. 9 November SOLD OUT
CARSHALTON FIREWORKS - CANCELLED: Sadly one of south London's biggest firework displays is no longer taking place. Other previous displays which haven't happened in recent years include Blackheath, Southwark Park and Crystal Palace, largely due to council budget cuts.
Firework displays in east London
Bad news, east Londoners — neither the Clissold Park nor the Victoria Park displays look to be going ahead in 2024.
STOW FIREWORK SPECTACULAR: Usually selling out well in advance, Stow Firework Spectacular at Walthamstow Cricket, Tennis and Squash Club takes place across two nights. Both nights have a quieter children's display (6pm) and a full display (8pm), around which there are fire performers, games, a funfair and food and drink stalls. 8-9 November SOLD OUT
Firework displays in west London
RUISLIP FIREWORKS 2024: Head to McGovern Park for a fireworks event with a monster theme. There's also a funfair, Irish dancing, live music, food stalls, bars and a glow disco after-party... phew. Oh yeah, there's also a fireworks display (7.30pm). 1 November
EALING FIREWORKS 2024: Ealing Cricket Club offers a fireworks display set to pop tunes, with a DJ keeping the party going after the pyrotechnics. The display is at 7.45pm but gates open at 6pm, with children's rides and food and drink stalls to keep you entertained. 2 November
EALING/PERIVALE FIREWORKS 2024: Also in Ealing/Perivale, The Brentham Club offers a family-friendly fireworks night, with fairground rides and a kids' disco, street food stalls, and face painting. Gates open at 5pm, display at 7.30pm. 2 November
RICHMOND FIREWORKS 2024: 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. 3 November
Have we missed any firework displays in London? Let us know by emailing [email protected]. We'll continue updating this guide as more are announced.
