Top 10 places to watch the fireworks in London
By Kelly Henderson (follow Kelly on Twitter @kellythekiwi)
Remember, remember the 5th of November… Bonfire night marks the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Here is a list of my top 10 places to watch the fireworks this year.
#1 Alexandra Palace | Saturday 7th | £9
pic: tottenhamjournal.co.uk
The iconic Alexandra Palace is an amazing setting for a fireworks display and the event is huge! There will be two funfairs (one a bit more family friendly), loads of craft beer and street food vendors, Mutoid Waste (from Glastonbury and the Olympics Opening Ceremony) will be parading and there will also be a bonfire and laser show. The fireworks will start at 8pm sharp but get there early to enjoy the festival.
Where: Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
When: Saturday 7th, 8pm
Cost: £9
#2 Highgate School Fireworks Festival | Saturday 7th | £15
pic: highgatepawebsite.wix.com
The Highgate School Parents’ Association are giving you two opportunities to celebrate Fireworks Night. There will be an early show from 4pm – 6:30pm followed by a later one from 7pm – 9:30pm. Apart from the fireworks there will be face painting, fairground rides, a magic show, and live music… even a DJ set from Mike Skinner from The Streets!
Where: Highgate Junior School Cholmeley House, 3 Bishopswood Road, N6 4PL
When: Saturday 7th, 7pm – 9:30pm
Cost: £15
#3 Blackheath Park | Saturday 7th | FREE
Blackheath Fireworks Night- pic: londonliving.at
The Blackheath Fireworks are one of the few fireworks events in London to still be free and unticketed. The events goes on most of the day with a funfair and food and drink stalls open before the main event at 8pm. If you’re feeling generous you can donate to the fireworks.
Where: Shooters Hill Rd, SE3 0TY
When: Saturday 7th, 8pm
Cost: Free
#4 Crystal Palace Park Fireworks | Thursday 5th | £6
Pic: londontown.com
The year marks the 150th anniversary of the Crystal Palace Park Fireworks. There will be two shows, one at 7pm for the children and then the main event will light up the skies at 8:30pm. This year’s theme is ‘dancing through the decades’ in celebration of their birthday. Avoid the queues and book your tickets online.
Where: Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2AA
When: Thursday 5th, 7pm
Cost: £6
#5 Guy Fawkes Festival and Fireworks | Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th | £8.77 (online)
Photo by: Billy Hicks
I can’t think of a much better place to watch the fireworks than at a Gunpowder Factory. Throughout the day there will be re-enactments of the story of Guy Fawkes and his famous Gunpowder Plot, arts and crafts for the whole family, as well as fairground rides and live music. The evening finishes with the fireworks display at 7pm.
Where: Beaulieu Dr, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JX
When: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th, 7pm
Cost: £8.77
#6 Victoria Park Fireworks | Saturday 7th | FREE
pic: Timeout.com
After a 5-year break the fireworks return to Victoria Park with a bang! Set to atmospheric music, the display takes place at 7pm and there will be stalls selling lots of winter goodies like mulled wine and other refreshments.
Where: Victoria Park, E3 5TB
When: Saturday 7th, 7pm
Cost: Free
#7 Ealing Cricket Club Fireworks | Saturday 7th | £6
pic: londontown.com
The theme for the Ealing Cricket Club’s firework display this year is ‘classic children’s fantasy films and musicals’ so you can expect to hear some familiar tunes! The event is really family friendly with fairground rides, BBQs and candy floss. Gates open at 6pm before the display at 7:30pm.
Where: Ealing Cricket Club, Corfton Road, Ealing W5 2HS
When: Saturday 7th, 7:30pm
Cost: £6
#8 Wimbledon Park Fireworks | Thursday 5th | £8.80 (in advance)
Pic: news.merton.gov.uk
You have two chances to marvel at the fireworks display in Wimbledon Park. The first display at 6:45pm is themed to the music of Disney and is suitable for young children whilst the later 8:30pm display is themed to the music of the decades. Keeping in tradition, there will be bonfires lit before each display as well as funfairs and refreshments available till 10pm. The whole show will be repeated on Saturday at Morden Park too.
Where: Wimledon Park, SW19 7HU
When: Thursday 5th, 8:30pm
Cost: £8.80
#9 Barnes Sports Club Big Bonfire Night | Saturday 7th | £10 (in advance)
Pic: barnessportsclub.org
If you fancy yourself a bit of a pro at Guy Making then head to the Barnes Sports Club Big Bonfire Night and enter their competition. The lighting of the bonfire will take place at 7pm before the fireworks display at 7:45pm. Get in to the spirit of things by having a mulled wine next to the roaring fire.
Where: 251-261 Lonsdale Rd, London, Barnes SW13 0BS
When: Saturday 7th, 7:45pm
Cost: £10
#10 ArcelorMittal Orbit | Saturday 7th | £10
pic: Twitter
Whilst there is not actually a fireworks display here, tickets to the late opening of the ArcelorMittal Orbit will give you some of the best views of the fireworks in London. From here you will be able to see the Blackheath Fireworks, the Hackney Firework Pyromusical and the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 3 Thornton Street, London E20 2ST
When: Saturday 7th, 7 November until 9pm
Cost: £10
