Bonfire Night

Next: Friday 5 November 2027

5 November, marking the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 with bonfires, fireworks and, in some towns, processions and burning tar barrels.

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The year from Monday 9 November

Saturday 14 November

Sat 14 Nov from 05:00
Custom

Hatherleigh Carnival and Tar Barrels

Sets off from Market Street, Hatherleigh, Devon

Saturday 25 September

Sat 25 Sep from 18:30
Custom

Burgess Hill Bonfire

Sets off from Fairfield Recreation Ground, Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Saturday 2 October

Sat 2 Oct from 19:15
Custom

Eastbourne Bonfire

Crown and Anchor, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Saturday 9 October

Sat 9 Oct from 19:15
Custom

Heathfield Bonfire

Sets off from Heathfield Community Centre playing fields, East Sussex

Saturday 16 October

Sat 16 Oct from 19:15
Custom

Seaford Bonfire

Sets off from Martello Fields, Seaford, East Sussex
Sat 16 Oct 19:15 16:00
Custom

Hastings Borough Bonfire

Sets off from Beach opposite Pelham Crescent, Hastings, East Sussex

Sat 16 Oct from 19:30
Custom

Hailsham Bonfire

Sets off from Western Road Recreation Ground, Hailsham, East Sussex

Saturday 23 October

Sat 23 Oct from 19:30
Custom

Littlehampton Bonfire

Sets off from The Green by Banjo Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex

Saturday 30 October

Sat 30 Oct 19:30 16:00
Custom

Newick Bonfire

Sets off from The Green, Newick, East Sussex

Friday 5 November

Fri 5 Nov 16:00 00:00
Custom

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

Sets off from The Square, Ottery St Mary, Devon
Fri 5 Nov 20:00 16:00
Custom

Shebbear Turning the Devil’s Stone

St Michael’s Church, Shebbear, Devon

Folklore from the old calendars

Beating the sticks round the Marlborough bonfire No longer kept WiltshireAt the Marlborough bonfires the country people walked round the fire in a ring, holding thick club-sticks over their shoulders.
Guy Fawkes’ Day Still kept EnglandAn Act of 1606 made the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot a holiday, and by Chambers's day it was one of the most joyous days of the year for English boys.
Parkin Sunday No longer kept YorkshireIn the West Riding the Sunday within the octave of All Saints was called Parkin Sunday.
Queen Mary’s daughter at Kirkby Stephen No longer kept WestmorlandOn the eve of the Fifth of November two or three dozen lads went round Kirkby Stephen roaring a rhyme to collect money for gunpowder and tar barrels.
Remember the Bonfire at Walthamstow No longer kept EssexOn Bonfire Night the bonfire boys of Walthamstow chanted the Gunpowder Plot rhyme, asking for a stick and a stake for King George's sake, and then gave three halloos.
The butchers’ bonfire in Clare Market No longer kept LondonOn the fifth of November the butchers of Clare Market built their own bonfire in the open market by Bear Yard and thrashed each other round it with the sinews of slaughtered bulls.
The Islip bonfire rhyme No longer kept OxfordshireThe boys who carried the guy round on the Fifth had many local versions of the rhyme.
The Purton bonfire No longer kept WiltshireFor weeks before the Fifth the boys of Purton went to every house begging faggots, with a rhyme threatening to take two if they were refused one, and one hard farmer lost a new pump to the fire.