The story of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 has long been a fixture of the British cultural calendar. As the centre for the events that unfolded on that fateful night when Guy Fawkes was caught in the act of blowing up the Houses of Parliament, London has never let go of the drama of the occasion. Come the first weekend of November, crowds gather across the city’s many parks and commons for spectacular displays that light up the night sky.
It’s a time for sparklers, Catherine wheels, hot chestnuts and chilly nights braved for the promise of a real spectacle. Bonfire night may mark one of the most lucky escapes in Britain’s political history, but it's now synonymous with fun, fireworks, and fantastic moments that can be shared by the whole family. Across the city, there is no shortage of displays to enjoy, but certain spectacles stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival
Alexandra Palace is one of London’s most beloved destinations. The red-brick towers of the “People’s Palace” have looked out across London since 1873, and during Bonfire Night celebrations, the view is illuminated by the glow from hundreds of rockets, roman candles, and firework fountains. The usually pristine lawns are covered with fairground rides and beer tents, transforming the grounds into a festival space that has been described as the “Glastonbury of fireworks.”
Spread across two evenings, visitors may skate on the famous palace’s indoor ice rink, wander through the street food stalls, or warm themselves up in cosy beer tents and alpine-themed bars before the main display. The fireworks themselves are timed to the point of being choreographed to music and enhanced by drone displays that project incredible shapes across the sky. A towering bonfire completes proceedings, giving way to past traditions, with its flames cackling so fiercely that the warmth of its flow reaches onlookers much further back from the safety barrier.
Blackheath Fireworks
Set on the wide expanse of Blackheath Common, for residents of Greenwich and other South-East London communities, Blackheath is one of the biggest and best displays this part of the city has to offer. After several years’ absence, its return in 2025 is much anticipated by both the local community and avid fans of huge firework displays, boasting some of the most unobstructed views in the whole of London across the wide open common.
With Greenwich Park a short walk away and the lights of Canary Wharf visible in the distance, it offers a charming, yet accessible alternative to inner-city displays, which is bound to draw thousands of spectators eagerly anticipating its return after such a long absence. The new organisation for the event promises an opportunity for many residents to experience something almost entirely brand new, especially for those who have only moved into the city in the last half a decade since the last display was run.
Battersea Fireworks
For Londoners living either central or west of there, the fireworks taking place by Battersea Power Station and park, are a much-lauded fixture for spectacular displays close to the embankment of the River Thames. With the area’s most famous landmark casting an imposing silhouette over proceedings, watching the flash and shimmer of rockets and tube-launched fireworks reflect off the Power Station’s brickwork is quite the spectacle.
In terms of technical prowess, the displays at Battersea continue to develop more and more elaborate performances year after year. Watching cascading rockets and roman candles move with an almost water-like quality – as if one were watching a fiery waterfall or a great ocean wave roll in – it’s no wonder that Battersea continues to be one of the most popular firework locations on Bonfire Night in London.
Brockwell Park, Brixton
With its long views across the Shard and central London, the park can accommodate around 30,000 spectators, which is significant given how built up this popular corner of South London is. With it being Brixton, as one might expect, food markets and entertainment set up throughout the grounds heighten the festival-like atmosphere, giving the night a lively yet distinctly Brixton edge.
Those who know the area well will recognise that the appeal for this event lies equally in Brixton’s timeless charm and character, whether it be the delicious smell of spices from Caribbean-influenced food stalls, or the distinct sound of reggae and electric music blaring out. The combination of a youthful crowd, live local DJs, and, of course, the food on offer, ensures the evening feels closer to a street festival than a traditional village firework display.
Harrow Fireworks, Byron Park
Way out into Northwest London, close to Harrow On The Hill, Byron Park hosts a spectacular display that illuminates the sky for miles around the very edges of London. The park stretches between Harrow town centre and Wealdstone, quickly filling with families from the early afternoon, drawn by funfair rides and amusements before the main event begins.
The fireworks display usually begins around 7.45 pm, rising above the park in a stunning sequence of choreographed explosions, visible from as far as Uxbridge. What sets Harrow apart is its accessibility, offering free entry to the site until mid-afternoon, ensuring the event draws a true cross-section of the community. With its combination of fairground thrills, food, and fireworks, Byron Park’s display has become a fixture for North London families.
