Bonfire Night
102 days until Bonfire Night
About Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is an annual observance held across the United Kingdom on 5 November to mark the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. Celebrated with fireworks, communal bonfires, and seasonal autumn food, it remains one of Britain's most enduring traditions.
History
The origins of Bonfire Night date back to 5 November 1605, when a group of English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby, conspired to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder in the undercroft beneath the chamber, thwarting an assassination attempt on King James I intended to restore a Catholic monarch.
Following the plot's failure, Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act 1605, creating an annual public day of thanksgiving. Over the centuries, the occasion shifted from a state-mandated Protestant commemoration into a community folk festival featuring street processions, pyrotechnics, and effigy burning.
Traditions & Celebrations
On or around 5 November, communities gather in public parks and sports grounds for organised firework displays and large bonfires. Children historically crafted straw effigies of Guy Fawkes out of old clothing, parading them through streets to ask for 'a penny for the Guy' before placing them atop the fire. Food eaten during the chilly evening typically includes baked potatoes cooked in the embers, bonfire toffee, toffee apples, and parkin—a traditional Yorkshire ginger and oatmeal cake.
Did you know?
- Before every State Opening of Parliament to this day, the Yeomen of the Guard conduct a ceremonial search of the cellars beneath Westminster, a ritual inspired directly by the 1605 plot.
- Although Guy Fawkes became the face of the treason, the conspiracy was actually masterminded by Robert Catesby; Fawkes was chosen primarily because of his expertise with explosives.
- The town of Lewes in East Sussex hosts the UK's largest celebrations, where six local bonfire societies hold elaborate torchlit parades and burn effigies of contemporary public figures.
Bonfire Night dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bonfire Night a bank holiday in the UK?
No, Bonfire Night is not a bank holiday. Schools, banks, post offices, and commercial businesses operate normal working hours.
Why do people say 'Remember, remember the fifth of November'?
The line originates from a traditional 18th-century English verse composed to keep the memory of the failed Gunpowder Plot alive.
When are local fireworks displays held if 5 November falls on a weekday?
While the historical date is fixed on 5 November, many local councils and venues host their major public displays on the nearest weekend.