What Is Bonfire Night and Why Was I So Confused When I Moved to the UK
If you're an American thinking about planning a trip to the UK in November, let me prepare you for one of the most baffling but oddly fun cultural events you'll ever stumble into. Bonfire Night. Or as I called it when I first moved here, “What in the world is going on and why is everyone standing in a muddy field eating sausages while fireworks go off on a random Tuesday?”
When I landed in England years ago, I expected tea, red phone boxes, and maybe a royal sighting if I was lucky. What I didn’t expect was to be invited to something called Bonfire Night. I imagined a cozy evening indoors, maybe a scented candle or two. What I got was a giant fire, burning effigies, fireworks that went on for ages, and a vague sense that I was celebrating something I definitely hadn’t learned about in any American history class.
So here’s what you need to know. Bonfire Night happens every year on November 5. People across the UK gather in parks, gardens, and town squares to light huge bonfires and set off fireworks. There’s always food and drinks. Think mulled wine, hot dogs, toffee apples, and a lot of kids waving glow sticks around like they’re at a rave sponsored by a PTA.
And the reason for it all? It goes back to something called the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Guy Fawkes and a group of conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. They were caught, and ever since then, Brits have marked the moment by lighting fires and quite literally burning a model of Guy Fawkes. It’s wild. It’s slightly creepy. But it’s a deeply British tradition.
As an American, I didn’t know whether I was supposed to cheer, reflect, or just eat the hot dog and smile. There’s something about standing in the cold watching a fire blaze while someone tells you “this is actually about political rebellion” that makes you wonder if you’ve wandered into a historical reenactment or a village party that got way out of hand.
If you’re thinking of traveling to England in November, Bonfire Night is one of those weird and wonderful events that will give you a real sense of place. You’ll hear accents you don’t recognize, see kids in puffer jackets running wild with sparklers, and experience what feels like Halloween and the Fourth of July rolled into one.
Some towns go all out. Lewes in East Sussex has massive processions with flaming torches. Other places keep it small with backyard gatherings and mini displays. Whether you go big or keep it local, it’s the kind of night that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally joined a secret club. One where you don’t know the rules but everyone hands you a warm drink and welcomes you anyway.
If you’re planning a fall or early winter holiday in the UK and you want to see more than just castles and cozy villages, look up where to see Bonfire Night events. You can stay in smaller towns with authentic displays or book a hotel in London and head to one of the city’s bigger parks like Battersea or Alexandra Palace. Just remember to wear boots. Every field becomes a mud pit. No one tells you that part. You’re welcome.
I still don’t totally get why setting off fireworks in freezing temperatures is fun, but every year, I find myself bundled up, holding a paper cup of something warm, waiting for the first bang in the sky. It’s chaotic. It’s oddly wholesome. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the UK in early November, it’s absolutely something you should experience.
Thinking about booking a trip? Do it. Wrap it around Bonfire Night and get a glimpse of real life in Britain, firelight and all. Just don’t ask too many questions about Guy Fawkes unless you’re ready for a history lesson from the guy in line behind you holding a sausage roll and a baby in a light-up hat.