It’s Guy Fawkes Night coming up next week but you can watch fireworks in London from this Friday. As always, the Bonfire Night London weekend scoop features the best family friendly fireworks displays through this Friday all the way through next weekend, so you can take your babies, toddlers and big kids along to enjoy the fun. Don’t forget the ear defenders (or ear plugs) if they’re scared of loud bangs!
And if you’re not into Bonfire Night, scroll down for some more things to do in London with kids this weekend and links to our Half Term and Halloween events guides.
Fri: Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Fire Festival, Tyers St, SE11 5HY (Vauxhall tube/rail)
After last year’s success, the Fire Festival returns with music, food, performance and dramatic displays that explore the origins of fire. 6.30-8.30pm, FREE (Oct 31)
Sat: Alexandra Palace Fireworks, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
You might be just in time to nab tickets for the legendary Ally Pally fireworks this Saturday, offering an unforgettable display above the gorgeous grounds. Tickets to the Bier Festival (adults only) and ice skating are sold out, but you can snap up last entry to the fireworks, funfair and children’s entertainment zone. Gates 3pm, fireworks 7.30pm; adult £9/child £6.50/under 10s FREE (Nov 1)
Sat: Blackheath Common Fireworks, SE3 0RW (Lewisham DLR/Blackheath rail)
One of the biggest fireworks nights in town with up to 100,000 spectators coming for food, music and funfair. Opens at 4pm. Fireworks at 8pm. (Nov 1)
Sat: Enfield Town Park Fireworks, Cecil Rd, EN2 6LE (Enfield Town/Enfield Chase rail)
Described as ‘safe’ and ‘family oriented’, Enfield’s fire extravaganza comes with entertainment, funfair and food stalls. 6pm doors, 7.30pm fireworks; adult £7/child £4 (Nov 1)
Sun: Richmond Family Fireworks, Richmond Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Rd, TW9 2SS (Richmond tube/overground)
Multi award-winning Phoenix Fireworks throws this dazzling show in a party atmosphere, with fireworks going off to music by the King of Pop, along with funfair, mulled wine and a 6000-strong crowd. 4.30pm gates, 7pm fireworks; adult £8 (adv)-£10 (gate)/child £7/family £28/under 5s FREE (Nov 2)
Wed: Southwark Park Fireworks Display, Gomm Rd, SE16 (Canada Water tube/overground)
Held traditionally on Guy Fawkes Night, there will be pop tunes, luminous toys for purchase, family funfair, and fire and light circus performances. 5pm gates, 7pm fireworks (arrive early as huge crowds are expected); FREE (Nov 5)
Wed: Fortismere School Fireworks at Fortismere School Playing Fields, Twyford Avenue entrance, N10 1NE (East Finchley tube)
A much-anticipated event, promising Carters Steam Fair rides and a fiery performance by Titanium Fireworks. Doors 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm, £5 adv tickets only/under 5s FREE (Nov 5)
Wed: Crystal Palace Park Fireworks, Thicket Rd, SE19 2GA (Crystal Palace rail)
There’s a children’s fireworks show to kick things off, followed by an explosive show with proceeds to charity. 6pm gates, kids show from 7pm, adult show 8.30pm; adult £6 adv or £7 gate/child £4 adv or £5 gate/under 3s FREE. (Nov 5)
BONFIRE NIGHT EVENTS NEXT WEEKEND (Nov 8-9)
Fri 7: Corams Fields Fireworks 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
Come along to this shorter, less explosive show aimed to enthrall babies and toddlers with sparks and pops, without scaring the life out of them! 5pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 7)
Fri 7: Bishop’s Park Fireworks, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube)
There’s a special children’s fireworks display before the big bangs for grown-ups, along with funfair, food and entertainment. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (from Lyric Theatre) or £8 gate/under 5s FREE. NB: No more tickets sold after 6pm on the day (Nov 7)
Sat 8: Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks Display, (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
One of London’s most spectacular fireworks shows comes bang on Bonfire Night weekend action around the capital, celebrating the start of the new mayoral year. Best viewing points are riverside between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges, either on Victoria Embankment or on the South Bank. 5.15pm, FREE (Nov 8)
Sat 8: Ravenscourt Park Fireworks, W6 0TY (Hammersmith tube)
Another popular night out with kid-friendly fireworks first and a louder version later, plus food, music and funfair. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (from Lyric Theatre) or £8 gate/under 5s free (Nov 8)
Sat: King Alfred School Fireworks 149 North End Rd, Hampstead, NW11 7HY (Golders Green tube)
Book early for this popular event that offers a brilliant bonfire, choreographed fireworks, light shows, stalls and delicious street food from our very own Big Apple Hot Dogs, Luardos and more. 4.30-8.30pm; adult £11/child £7/under 3s FREE (Nov 8)
Sat 8: Battersea Park Fireworks, Albert Bridge, SW11 (Sloane Square tube/Battersea Park rail)
An exciting display by Jubilee Fireworks choreographed to music, along with glow concessions, food and drink. From 6pm gates, 8pm display; £6.50 (before Oct 31), £8 (before Fri), £10 (Sat before 6pm), under 10s FREE but tickets needed. No admittance after 8pm. (Nov 8)
Sat 8-Sun 9: Guy Fawkes Festival at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham rail)
Go back in history to the time of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot, with live reenactments, the popular ‘Ghost of Guy Fawkes’ performance, crafts and games, and a child friendly fireworks display. Gates 2pm, last entry 6.15pm, fireworks 7pm; adult £8.55/child 3-15 £6.75/family £30.60 (2 adults, 2 kids)-£37.35 (2 adults-3 kids) (Nov 8-9)
MORE FAMILY FUN THIS WEEKEND (OCT 31-NOV 2)
It’s a baby friendly boogie-fest at Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dancehall at Wilton’s Music Hall, E1 (Fri-Sat); check out classic cars at the Regent Street Motor Show (Sat, FREE); mini musicians can Crash, Bang & Wallop wtih Shakespeare and the City of London Sinfonia at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea (Sat); kids ages 6-10 can stage a street fight and more in the National Theatre Romeo & Juliet Explored family workshops (Fri-Sat); make collaborative drawings with textiles at Whitechapel Gallery family day in E1 (Sat, FREE); there are some fantastic family events at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, kicking off with kid-friendly screenings at Film Africa Family Day (Sat) and rounding off with live music show Catapluf’s Musical Journey and the Day of the Dead celebrations (both ON Sun).
Don’t forget to check out the HALLOWEEN LONDON KIDS GUIDE and the HALF TERM LONDON KIDS SCOOP for more fun ideas!
What a useful load of information! I used to love Richmond Fireworks as a child. The smell of toffee apples and bonfires always takes me back to that…
Oooh toffee apples… I love bonfire night! Glad you found the post useful Ruth, have fun (and stay safe) out there :-)