Bonfire Night 2026 in the UK: fireworks displays and bonfires by region, the law and safety

In short

• Bonfire Night, 5 November 2026, falls on a Thursday. Most of the big displays take place on Saturday 7 November. Some are on Thursday, Friday or Sunday, and a few were already held on 31 October and 1 November.
• The biggest events: Alexandra Palace and Battersea Park in London (7–8 November), Blackheath (7 November), Leicester's Abbey Park (7 November), the free displays in Manchester (7 November), Cardiff and Swansea (5 November) and the free display in Aberdeen (5 November).
• Lewes (5 November) is the biggest bonfire celebration in the UK, but the organisers and the railways ask: don't come unless you live there. Stations are closed from 17:00, roads are closed too, and the event is not suitable for children or dogs.
• Most displays are paid and need a ticket bought in advance (often none are sold at the gate). Prices in this guide are as of October 2026. Some prices are not confirmed, and where that is the case we say so.
• Hours and age: in England and Wales you must not set off fireworks between 23:00 and 7:00 (until midnight on Bonfire Night). In Scotland only between 18:00 and 23:00 (until midnight on 5 November). Under-18s cannot buy fireworks. The on-the-spot fine is £90.
• Northern Ireland has its own rhythm: the main fireworks day is Halloween (31 October), and fireworks need a licence.
• Pets: dogs and cats stay indoors, somewhere safe. Before lighting a bonfire, check it for hedgehogs.
• Transport: the Piccadilly line is closed on 31 October – 1 November. For displays it is better to go by train, tram or bus than by car, because there is usually no parking.

What Bonfire Night is and where it comes from

Bonfire Night, also called Guy Fawkes Night, marks the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The plotters wanted to blow up King James I at the opening of Parliament. The organiser was Robert Catesby (Royal Museums Greenwich).

• Guy Fawkes was arrested during the night of 4–5 November 1605. 36 barrels of gunpowder were found under the House of Lords. He gave his name as "John Johnson" (Parliament).
• Eight plotters were tried in Westminster Hall on 27 January 1606. Fawkes was executed on 31 January 1606 in Old Palace Yard (Parliament).
• In January 1606 Parliament passed the Thanksgiving Act. It required annual services on 5 November. Over time bells and bonfires were added, and fireworks featured in some of the earliest celebrations (Parliament).
• From the reign of Charles I (1625–49), effigies of the Pope or the devil were burned. Fawkes replaced them later. To this day some celebrations still burn a "guy", an effigy (Royal Museums Greenwich).

Today Bonfire Night is mainly about fireworks displays, bonfires and funfairs. Many are run by city councils, sports clubs and charities.

Displays by region

Times are given as "gates / fireworks". All prices are as of October 2026. Where an organiser's official page has not confirmed something, we write "not confirmed, check with the organiser".

England: London

Getting there and notes for the biggest events:

• Alexandra Palace: train to Alexandra Palace station (Great Northern from Moorgate via Highbury & Islington, or from King's Cross); the nearest Piccadilly line station is Wood Green (about a 20-minute walk). Finsbury Park is the nearest step-free station (then the W7 bus, Gate 6). The W3 bus is on diversion and does not stop at the Palace. The busiest arrival times are 19:15–19:45 on Saturday and 17:15–17:45 on Sunday. There is no public parking, and the organiser advises against driving. During the festival (6–9 November) roads, car parks and the park are closed, and bus routes are changed (Alexandra Palace).
• Battersea Park (organiser's information): trains to Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, Victoria or Clapham Junction; Tube to Battersea Power Station (Northern line) or Victoria. Buses 170, 19, 319 and 345. There is no parking. Albert Bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists on both evenings. Albert Gate is expected to be quieter than Sun Gate. On Saturday there is a DJ set by Rudimental from 19:30.
• Blackheath: roads around Blackheath Village are closed from 15:30, and parking restrictions apply from 10:00 on the day (council page). The entrances are Blackheath Gate, Lewisham Gate and Greenwich Gate. The council gives no travel advice, so check the organiser's website.
• Merton (maps and directions): gates A, B and C (in Wimbledon Park near Southfields and Wimbledon Park stations; in Morden Park at London Road, Hillcross Avenue and Lower Morden Lane). There is no car parking at the shows, so walk, cycle or use public transport.
• Coram's Fields: adults are admitted only when accompanied by a child. Guilford Street is fully closed to pedestrians during the event.

Other London displays appear in listings too (including Dulwich, Ealing, Richmond, Barnes and Walthamstow), but we could not confirm them on an organiser's website, so we give no details. For the park displays at Southwark Park, Victoria Park and Primrose Hill we found no announcement for 2026, so most likely they are not taking place.

England: Lewes, the south and the east

Lewes (East Sussex), Thursday 5 November. This is the biggest and most famous bonfire celebration in the UK. Seven local societies (Cliffe, Commercial Square, Nevill Juvenile, South Street, Southover, Waterloo and Lewes Borough) and 25–30 visiting societies hold more than 30 processions through the town from about 17:00 to about 01:00. The joint "grand" procession of five societies passes at about 21:00 and can take an hour or more (Lewes Bonfire Societies).

Warning: the organisers ask people not to come. This is a joint statement from the county council, fire and rescue service, Southern Railway, Sussex Police, the ambulance service and St John Ambulance (statement):

• 5 November is a Thursday, so higher attendance is expected. People who do not live in Lewes should not attend. Choose a local bonfire instead.
• Do not bring a vehicle into the town. Residents should move their cars home before 16:00.
• The event is not suitable for children, young families or dogs.
• Do not pick up spent fireworks or torches. Report suspicious activity to a steward or the police, and in an emergency call 999.
• Trains: from 17:00 on 5 November no trains will stop at Lewes, Falmer, Cooksbridge, Glynde or Southease until service resumes on Friday 6 November. Last trains from Lewes: 16:44 to Brighton, 16:55 to London Victoria, 16:59 to Ore, 17:02 to Seaford. Last trains from London Victoria to these stations: 15:24 (to Eastbourne) and 15:54 (to Ore). Check the Southern website for updated times.
• Roads are closed from 16:45 (including the A27/A277 Brighton Road, A275 Offham Road and A26 Malling Street). The societies say closures begin at about 14:00 and car parks fill early.

Watching the processions in the streets does not need a ticket. Entry to the societies' bonfire sites is by ticket only, bought in advance from society headquarters or the Lewes Tourist Information Centre. Wear warm, waterproof clothing. Expect crowds, noise and smoke, few toilets and little food, and some pubs are ticket-only. The event is not suited to pushchairs, frail people or anyone with breathing problems.

Reading. We found no Reading Borough Council display for 2026. Fireworks over the Lake at Lagoona Park (Pingewood) takes place on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November, a week after Bonfire Night: gates 17:00, display 19:30. The Visit South East England listing gives no price or booking details, so check with the organiser (listing).

Southampton. "The Pop Explosion" at Mayflower Park (Town Quay Road) on Saturday 7 November. Gates from 16:00, finish at 22:00. Tickets online only (Fixr), none at the gate, with proceeds going to Southampton Round Table. Price not confirmed: the Visit Hampshire listing says "from £7", while other listings give different amounts (Visit Hampshire).

Oxford. Oxford Round Table Charity Fireworks in South Park on Saturday 7 November (16:30–21:30 in the ticket listing; the display times are not given on the official page). Tickets through TicketCo. Prices: adult (18+) £13, student and over-65s £10, child aged 5–17 £7, under-5s free with an adult ticket. Super Family Tent: adult £22, child aged 5–17 £16, under-5s £7. A Silent Disco after the display costs £10 (16+, 21:00–23:00, only with an entry ticket). Children must be with an adult (tickets). Travel and parking: not confirmed.

Cambridge. The city council is holding a free display on Midsummer Common on Thursday 5 November. Music and food stalls from 18:00, fireworks at 19:00. No ticket is needed. Donations are collected at the end. Walk, cycle or take a bus: Stagecoach will add extra buses, and roads around Midsummer Common will be closed (Cambridge City Council).

Milton Keynes. We found no official information about a display in 2026 (from the council or from the National Bowl), so it is not confirmed. Check local announcements.

Peterborough. Peterborough Fireworks 2026 on The Embankment (private organiser Komodo Events, not the council) on Saturday 7 November. Gates 17:00, finish 22:00, a children's display first and then the main display (times not given). Tickets in advance (Ticketebo): adult (16+) £10.00 plus a £0.50 booking fee, child aged 3–15 £5.00 plus £0.25, under-3s free (tickets).

Northampton. The Fireworks Spectacular "Halloween Special" (Northampton Town Council) at The Racecourse is on Sunday 1 November, not the 5th. Entertainment from 16:00, fireworks at 18:00. The council's 2026 page does not say whether there are tickets, so check before you go. Getting there: buses from Northampton Bus Station, No. 2, 8 or X10 to Racecourse Pavilion (a 7-minute ride and an 8-minute walk). There is no parking on site (the Pavilion car park is Blue Badge only), so use St Michael's Multi Storey (Northampton Town Council).

England: the Midlands

Birmingham. We could not confirm any main display in the city itself in 2026. We also found no official page for a fireworks display at Edgbaston Stadium (Visit Birmingham). The nearest big displays:

• Walsall Firework Spectacular, Walsall Arboretum (Walsall Council, about 30 minutes' drive from Birmingham), Saturday 7 November: gates 17:00, stage 17:30, fireworks 19:30 (about 20 minutes), finish 21:00. Tickets in advance only (TicketSource): adult 16+ £9.50, child aged 4–15 £7.50, family £28, under-3s £1. Four town-centre car parks are free from 15:30 (Walsall Council).
• Birmingham's Biggest Fireworks & Funfair, Lea Marston (North Warwickshire): Thursday 29 October, before Bonfire Night. Price not confirmed.

Coventry. Coventry Rugby Fireworks Night on Saturday 7 November (Nick Newbold Stadium, Butts Road): doors from 15:30, fireworks at 19:30. Adult £10, child £5, family £25 (2+2, online offer). Book early. Travel advice not confirmed (Coventry Rugby). We found no city council display for 2026.

Leicester. The Abbey Park Bonfire & Firework Display (Leicester City Council, about 15,000 people) is on Saturday 7 November, not the 5th. Gates 17:00, first, quieter family display 18:45, main display 20:00, live music until 21:00. A family of four from £28 plus a small booking fee, under-4s free. Prices rise on the day. Tickets in advance only and not sold on site (online sales close at 19:30 on the day). There is a wheelchair viewing area, and Blue Badge parking must be booked by email (festivals@leicester.gov.uk). Public transport advice not confirmed (Visit Leicester, Leicester City Council).

Nottingham. The former free bonfire and fireworks on the Forest Recreation Ground are not taking place in 2026 and do not appear on Visit Nottinghamshire's official Bonfire Night page. Instead the council has commissioned a drone show:

• Drone Show: Nottingham City of Legends, Forest Recreation Ground, Thursday 5 November (a drone show, not fireworks). Two shows: gates 17:00 / show 18:30, and gates 19:30 / show 21:00. Ticket: adult (17+) £10, child aged 16 and under £5, city residents £2 / £1 (a council tax number and postcode are needed). Tickets are compulsory, and you cannot watch from outside. There is no parking on site, so use the NET tram or a bus. Blue Badge parking is £10 (Marketing Nottingham).
• Nottingham Street Food x Fireworks Night, Trent Bridge (Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club): Friday 6 November (gates 18:00 / display 20:00), Saturday 7 November (18:30 / 20:30), Sunday 8 November (16:00 / 18:00). First release of tickets: adults from £10, children from £5, family from £25 (Visit Nottinghamshire). Travel advice not confirmed.

England: the north

Manchester. For the first time since 2019 the council is holding free fireworks displays in three parks: Heaton Park, Platt Fields Park and Wythenshawe Park, on Saturday 7 November. There will be no bonfires. The council's approximate running order (may change): attractions from 15:00, reduced-noise fireworks at 17:00, lantern parades at 19:00, main display set to music at 20:00, close at 21:00. No booking is needed. The council recommends public transport. At Heaton Park the pedestrian entrances are Gate 6 (Sheepfoot Lane) and Gate 13 (Bury Old Road, opposite the Heaton Park Metrolink stop) (Manchester City Council). Salford is holding a free weekend: Buile Hill Park on Saturday 31 October from 16:00 (fireworks, no bonfire) and Princes Park on Sunday 1 November from 16:00 (with a bonfire) (Visit Salford).

Liverpool. We found no Liverpool City Council display for 2026. River of Light (23 October – 1 November, 17:00–21:00, free) is a light event, not fireworks: "There are no fireworks as part of River of Light" (Visit Liverpool). Fireworks are on the Wirral:

• Sparks in Prenton Park (Tranmere Rovers, Birkenhead): Thursday 5 November (gates 17:30 / fireworks 19:30) and Sunday 8 November (a reduced-noise display set to music, 17:00 / 19:00). Ticket £8.50, babes in arms free, children aged 3 and over need their own ticket. Parking £6 per car. Prams and pushchairs are not allowed in the stands (Tranmere Rovers).

Leeds. Roundhay Park (once more than 70,000 people) and five other city displays were permanently discontinued and are not taking place in 2026. The council's decision was published in August 2023 (Leeds City Council). A few club displays appear only on unconfirmed lists.

Bradford. We found no main Bradford Council display for 2026. Confirmed local displays, all on Saturday 7 November:

• Keighley RUFC (Skipton Road, Keighley): gates 18:30 / fireworks 19:30. Adult £7.50, child £5, under-3s free, family £20 (Visit Bradford).
• Holy Trinity Idle (Town Lane, Idle): fire lit 18:00 / fireworks about 19:00. £3 per person or £10 for a family of four. Tickets sell out every year (Visit Bradford).
• Friends of Ashlands (Ilkley): gates 17:30, bonfire 18:15, fireworks 19:30, finish 21:00. Adult £8, child aged 3–17 £6, under-3s £2, family £25 (excluding the booking fee) (Visit Bradford).

Displays at Peel Park and Odsal are not confirmed on any official page.

Sheffield. Arcnight 2026 at the Don Valley Bowl (Worksop Road) on Thursday 5 November. Gates 16:00, a lower-bang display at 19:30, the main pyromusical display with lasers at 21:15, finish 22:00. Plus live music, fire performers, food and a funfair. Price not confirmed: the organiser says only that tickets cost more on the door. No dogs except assistance dogs. Free parking at Meadowhall and then the Supertram (about 13 minutes) (Arcnight). We found no city council display for 2026.

Newcastle.

• Friday Floodlit at Newcastle Racecourse (High Gosforth Park), Friday 6 November: gates 13:23, last race 19:00, fireworks after it (exact time not given). Grandstand advance ticket £21, family bundle (2 adults and up to 6 children) £30, under-18s free. Advance prices end at midnight on 29/30 October, after which tickets are also sold at the gate (Newcastle Racecourse).
• Blue Flames, Whitley Park (Benton), Thursday 5 November: gates 17:30, fireworks 19:30. Price not confirmed. Benton Metro station is about a 5-minute walk. There is no parking on site (Blue Flames).

We could not confirm a Newcastle council display in 2026.

England: Bristol and the west

Bristol. There are no council displays at Ashton Court or on The Downs, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge does not host fireworks on 5 November (Visit Bristol). The biggest confirmed event is the Bristol Charity Fireworks Fiesta in Canford Park (Westbury-on-Trym), Saturday 7 November: gates 17:30, fireworks 19:00, then a foam party. Ticket £12 per person (the cheaper early-bird offer ended on 22 October), children aged 3 and under free. Tickets online only, none on site (beware resale scams). There is no parking, so walk or use public transport (Bristol Fireworks Fiesta).

Scotland

Glasgow. The council display on Glasgow Green is not taking place in 2026 and has not been announced (the last one was in 2019). The Glasgow Life calendar lists no fireworks. Firework control zones in Glasgow, according to the council's page: 30 October – 9 November in Govanhill/Pollokshields, Broomhouse, Glasgow Harbour and Pollok (Glasgow City Council). The police have also set up a dispersal zone in Pollokshields for 31 October – 6 November (Police Scotland). For 5 November the police announce their largest deployment since the visit of President Trump, and Celtic play Besiktas at Celtic Park that evening, so expect disruption to travel (Police Scotland).

Edinburgh. There is no city-wide display (Meadowbank is not on the council's 2026 list). The council publishes a list of local events (council list):

• Currie and Balerno Fireworks, King George V Park, Currie: Thursday 5 November, gates 18:00 / fireworks 19:15. Tickets online only (CBDRT). Price not confirmed. There is no dedicated event parking.
• Bonny Magdalene Community Bonfire and Fireworks Night: Thursday 5 November, 18:30–21:00, Magdalene Community Centre. Price and booking not given.
• Craigmillar Community Campfire: Thursday 5 November, 17:00–19:30, Sandy's Community Centre (a campfire, not mainly fireworks).
• The Grange Firework Display: Friday 6 November, doors 18:00 / fireworks 19:00, The Grange Club. Price and booking not given.
• Bandi Chhor Divas (the Sikh Festival of Lights): Sunday 8 November, fireworks 20:45, Sikh Gurudwara in Leith.
• Edinburgh Diwali: Sunday 15 November, fireworks from 18:30, St Andrew Square and West Princes Street Gardens, free according to the council list.

Fawkes Festival (Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston) advertises "November 2026", but there is no date, time or price. The 2025 edition was cancelled. For 2026 it is not confirmed.

Aberdeen. Aberdeen Fireworks Night (Aberdeen City Council), Thursday 5 November: a 20-minute display at 19:30, launched from the end of the North Pier in the harbour. Best viewed from the southern end of the Beach Esplanade. Free, no ticket, and there are no gates. Roads close from about 19:00, and there is no event parking (Blue Badge spaces are limited, first come first served). Getting there: Park and Ride buses from Bridge of Don and Kingswells go straight to the beach (check the timetable on the council's page). Leave dogs at home. Fireworks, alcohol, drones and large bags are banned, and bags are searched (Aberdeen City Council, VisitAberdeenshire).

Dundee. There is no official council display in 2026: the council's calendar for 5 November lists no display or bonfire (Dundee City Council).

Wales

Cardiff. Sophiaworks at Sophia Gardens (Glamorgan Cricket), Thursday 5 November: fireworks at 19:00 (about 20 minutes). Gates at about 17:15 according to the club's ticket listing (Visit Cardiff says 17:00, so check with the organiser). Live music, a funfair and food. Ticket: adult £16, under-17s £10, under-2s free without a seat. Premium (lounge) tickets at £26 and £21 are sold out according to Visit Wales. Tickets in advance only. The event has sold out for five years, so book early. Travel advice for 2026: not confirmed (Visit Cardiff, Visit Wales). We found no Cardiff Council display for 2026. The former Sparks in the Park (Bute Park) has not been held since 2019, and no tickets are on sale for 2026.

Swansea. The Swansea Fireworks Display (Swansea Council) is on Thursday 5 November, at a new venue: Singleton Park (Mumbles Road, Sketty), instead of St Helen's Ground as in the past. Gates 17:00, entertainment 17:30, fire show 18:45, main fireworks 19:30, musical finale 19:50, close 20:00. The theme is "myths and magic", with a new laser display. Ticket in advance / on the day: adult £6 / £7, child and concession £5 / £6, Passport to Leisure £4 / £5, family of four £13 / £18, family of five £15 / £20. Online sales end at midnight on Wednesday 4 November, and you can pay at the gate. Car parks (Singleton Lacrosse Field and Recreation Ground) open from 16:00, £5 per car. Pantycelyn Road and Nicander Parade are closed, and Brynmill Terrace for 30–45 minutes. Expect traffic after the show. Timetables: Traveline Cymru (traveline.cymru) (Visit Swansea Bay, parking and travel).

Northern Ireland

The main fireworks day here is Halloween (31 October), not 5 November. Details are in the next section. For 5 November we found no events in Belfast on the council's or Visit Belfast's pages.

Halloween and fireworks in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland the tradition of bonfires and fireworks falls on Halloween (31 October). Bonfire Night on 5 November is not the main celebration there.

• Derry Halloween, a festival from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November (the 40th anniversary). Saturday 31 October: Carnival Parade and Fireworks Finale. The parade starts at about 19:00, and the fireworks over the River Foyle are at about 20:15 (times are approximate and depend on the weather). Free, no ticket needed. Organiser: Derry City and Strabane District Council. Translink and Bus Éireann run extra services to the city (plan on translink.co.uk). The page on road closures and parking has the year 2025 in its text, so 2026 is not confirmed: check derryhalloween.com before you travel (festival FAQ, plan your visit).
• Belfast. Belfast City Council's page of Halloween 2026 events does not list fireworks (or "Monster Mash"), only things such as the Pumpkin Patch at City Hall (30–31 October, ticketed) and the free "Monsters Take Over" (26 October – 1 November) (Belfast City Council). Visit Belfast does not list fireworks either (Visit Belfast). No display in Belfast is confirmed for 2026. If you want to see a display, ask the organisers of the events you are interested in (for example, the Féile festival in west Belfast has published no Halloween 2026 information).
• Licence. According to nidirect you must not possess, buy or use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers) without a licence from the Department of Justice. There are separate applications for garden fireworks (F2) and display fireworks (F3). The closing date for applications for Halloween 2026 displays was 16 October 2026. F2 and F3 fireworks must not be sold to anyone under 18. You must not set them off in the street or any public place except at a licensed display. Penalties: a fine of up to £5,000 or 3 months in prison (or both). The page gives no hours and advises not to set off fireworks late at night. Helpline (Northern Ireland only): 0300 200 7881.

The law on fireworks

England and Wales

Source: GOV.UK, Fireworks: the law.

• Age: if you are under 18 you cannot buy "adult" fireworks, meaning category 2 and 3. Category 4 is for professionals only. Party poppers are not such fireworks.
• Hours: you must not set off fireworks between 23:00 and 7:00. Exceptions: Bonfire Night until midnight; New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year until 01:00. The same ban applies on the evening of Thursday 5 November 2026: after midnight, fireworks are prohibited.
• Public places: you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
• Sales: registered sellers may sell fireworks to private individuals only on 15 October – 10 November, 26–31 December and for 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times, only licensed shops.
• Penalties: an on-the-spot fine of £90 (as of October 2026). Selling or using fireworks illegally can lead to an unlimited fine and up to 6 months in prison.

Scotland

Source: gov.scot, Fireworks: the law.

• Age: you can have, buy or set off "adult" fireworks only from the age of 18. Category 1 (small sparklers, crackers, party poppers): the buyer must be over 16. Category 4 is banned for sale to the public. It is against the law to buy, sell or give fireworks to anyone under 18 (except category 1).
• Hours: adult fireworks may be used only in a private place (a garden), between 18:00 and 23:00. On Bonfire Night (5 November) until midnight; on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali until 01:00.
• Sales: registered sellers, 15 October – 10 November, 26–31 December and around Diwali and Chinese New Year, only between 07:00 and 18:00. Outside these dates, specialist shops only.
• Public places: it is an offence to have adult fireworks or pyrotechnics (such as flares) in a public place without a reasonable excuse. At large sports and music events all fireworks are banned, including category 1.
• Firework control zones: councils designate areas where setting off fireworks is prohibited, including on private property (exception: sparklers, crackers and party poppers; organised displays are allowed). Edinburgh: 30 October – 8 November 2026, 14 zones: Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Liberton, Lochend, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield, Sighthill/Broomhouse, Stenhouse/Gaskill, West Pilton and Wester Hailes (council list). Glasgow: see the Scotland section. Check your own council's website.
• Penalties: a fine of up to £5,000, up to 6 months in prison, or both. Fireworks must not cause a nuisance or alarm to others.

Northern Ireland

A licence is required, the minimum age is 18 for F2 and F3, and penalties are up to £5,000 or 3 months in prison. Details are in the Halloween section above (nidirect).

Safety

The safest option is to watch an organised display. The fire services in London and Scotland recommend a public display rather than buying your own fireworks (London Fire Brigade, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service).

The Firework Code: if you set off your own fireworks

Based on the rules from nidirect and GOV.UK:

• buy only fireworks marked CE (in Great Britain also UKCA) from registered sellers,
• do not drink alcohol while setting off fireworks,
• keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time,
• keep a bucket of water nearby,
• light them at arm's length with a taper, then stand well back,
• never go back to a firework that has been lit,
• children only under adult supervision and from a safe distance,
• warn your neighbours, and keep dogs and cats indoors.

After the display, soak spent fireworks in water overnight once they are cool, then put them in the bin (GOV.UK).

Sparklers

• They burn at temperatures comparable to a welding torch (London Fire Brigade).
• Do not give them to children under 5 (this is the warning on the packaging).
• Wear gloves, light them one at a time and hold them at arm's length.
• Put used sparklers straight into a bucket of cold water.
• Sparklers are also covered by the ban in public places and by the 23:00–7:00 hours in England and Wales.

A bonfire in the garden

• Build it away from buildings, sheds, fences, hedges, vehicles and trees.
• Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy. Never leave the bonfire unattended.
• Never use paraffin, petrol or any other flammable liquid. Burn only dry wood and paper, with no pressurised containers. Do not throw fireworks onto the bonfire.
• Do not drink alcohol while tending a bonfire.
• Before you leave, put the bonfire out completely.
• Sources: London Fire Brigade, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In an emergency call 999.

Burns, according to the NHS

Source: NHS, Burns and scalds.

• Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible. If there is no water, use cold bottled water or a wet towel.
• Take off clothing and jewellery near the burn (but not anything stuck to the skin).
• Once it has cooled, cover the burn loosely with cling film.
• Do not use creams, oils or butter or sticky plasters, and do not burst blisters.
• Call 999 or go to A&E if the burn is very large or deep, is on the face, genitals or buttocks, or was caused by acid, chemicals or electricity. Do not drive yourself.
• Call 111 if you are not sure what to do. For a child under 5, call 111 for advice.

How medical help and emergency numbers work is explained in the guide NHS in practice.

Pets and animals

The bang of fireworks can be very stressful for animals. Advice from the RSPCA (pets, horses, livestock and wildlife):

• Dogs: prepare a safe place your dog can always get to, and move your dog there every evening before the fireworks. Walk your dog during the day. Put music or the TV on. Do not take your dog to a display, and do not force your dog out of its hiding place.
• Cats: keep them indoors, especially after dark. Close windows and doors, block the cat flap and provide hiding places.
• Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals: bring their cages indoors before the season. If they must stay outside, cover the cages with blankets leaving a gap for ventilation, or turn them to face a wall, give plenty of bedding and keep them with their companions.
• Horses: check them after the fireworks. Warn your neighbours, farms and stables that a display is planned (GOV.UK).
• Livestock: check and reinforce fences.
• Wildlife: set off fireworks away from nests, lakes and trees, collect the remains and soak them in water. Avoid lanterns.
• Bonfires and hedgehogs: check your bonfire for wildlife before lighting it. Hedgehogs often use bonfires as shelter or for hibernation.

Transport

• The Piccadilly line is closed along its whole length from Saturday 31 October to Sunday 1 November, including overnight (Night Tube). This comes from TfL's planned closures document as of 26 October, which is laid out in columns, so check the Journey Planner before you travel (TfL). This closure does not overlap with the Alexandra Palace festival dates (7–8 November).
• Other disruption (as of 26 October): on the Northern line, trains do not stop at Burnt Oak until 8 November. Elizabeth line: Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing have no stops after 23:00 on Saturday 7 November. On Sunday 1 November the DLR section Tower Gateway – Shadwell is closed. The Mildmay and Windrush lines have restrictions on several dates.
• TfL has not published dedicated notices about Bonfire Night 2026 (TfL, major works). Check line status before you leave home.
• Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights (not on every line, and the Piccadilly line is closed on 31 October). After the Saturday displays on 7 November you can use it. After the Thursday ones on 5 November you will have to rely on ordinary trains and night buses.
• Alexandra Palace: road and car park closures and bus route changes on 6–9 November. Details are in the London section.
• Lewes: no trains stop from 17:00, and the last train to London leaves Lewes at 16:55. Do not come by car.
• Long-distance trains: National Rail has no Bonfire Night advice. Check engineering works and the train company's timetable before you travel.
• Getting home after a display: most events finish between 21:00 and 22:00, and the crowd leaves all at once. Wait a few minutes, plan your journey home in advance and have a backup plan. If you can, don't drive: there is usually no parking at displays, and in Glasgow disruption to traffic is expected on 5 November.

Plans may change

Plans may change: check the organiser's, the council's and TfL's websites before you go. This guide collects information from organisers' websites, city councils, tourism bodies, emergency services, TfL, GOV.UK, gov.scot, nidirect and the NHS (as of October 2026). Dates, times, prices and ticket availability may change. Where we write "not confirmed", we did not find the information on an official page.