Remember, remember, the 5th of November is upon us and all over London fireworks and crackers are about to go BOOM! Our Bonfire Night London Weekend Scoop features the best family friendly fireworks displays happening from tonight.
The massive festivities at Ally Pally are SOLD OUT and for the first time in 42 years Enfield Town Park Fireworks are cancelled, but there are still loads of spots to get some bang for not much buck.
Pop some ear defenders or ear plugs on your baby or toddler and head out for a sparkling time to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night today and through the weekend. Stay safe!
If Bonfire Night’s not your idea of a good time, simply scroll down for more brilliant things to do in London with kids this weekend.
Thu: Southwark Park Fireworks Display, Gomm Rd, SE16 (Canada Water tube/overground)
Guy Fawkes Night is the traditional date for this annual shebang with fizzy tunes, light toys, family funfair, and fire and light circus performances. 5pm gates, 7pm fireworks (arrive early as huge crowds are expected); FREE but advance tickets required (Nov 5)
Thu: Crystal Palace Park Fireworks, Thicket Rd, SE19 2GA (Crystal Palace rail)
This year Crystal Palace celebrates 150 years of fireworks shows, with a special children’s show (less bangs, more magic), followed by an explosive finish with proceeds to charity. 6pm gates, kids show from 7pm, adult show 8.30pm; adult £6 adv, £10 gate/child £4 adv, £5 gate/under 3s FREE. (Nov 5)
Thu: Fortismere School Fireworks at Fortismere School Playing Fields, Twyford Avenue entrance, N10 1NE (East Finchley tube)
Always a big event with food and drinks stalls, Carters Steam Fair rides and a fiery performance by Titanium Fireworks. Doors 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm, £5 adv tickets/£7 gate/under 5s FREE (Nov 5)
Fri: Corams Fields Fireworks 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
A colourful and seasonal show designed especially for babies and toddlers who might otherwise be overwhelmed by Guy Fawkes Night! Gates 3.30pm, show 5pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 6)
Fri: Bishop’s Park Fireworks, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube)
The kid-friendly fireworks display takes place before the big grown-up show, 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 6)
Sat: Blackheath Common Fireworks, SE3 0RW (Lewisham DLR/Blackheath rail)
It’s one of the biggest fireworks nights every year with up to 100,000 spectators expected for food, music (including live beats from South London Samba) and funfair. All ages. Funfair from 12pm, food, drinks and stalls from 5pm, fireworks at 8pm. Entrance FREE (Nov 7)
Sat: Ravenscourt Park Fireworks, W6 0TY (Hammersmith tube)
Another fun night out with children’s 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 7)
Sat: Battersea Park Fireworks, Albert Bridge, SW11 (Sloane Square tube/Battersea Park rail)
The theme this year is ‘A Royal Night Out’ with the fitting named Jubilee Fireworks paying tribute to our longest reigning monarch. Fireworks choreographed to music, glow concessions, food and drink. Gates 6pm, fireworks 8pm; adv £8, gate £10, under 10s FREE but tickets needed. No admittance after 8pm. (Nov 7)
Sat-Sun: Guy Fawkes Festival at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham rail)
This could be the most explosive event yet. Trip back to the time of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot, with live reenactments, the ‘Ghost of Guy Fawkes’ show, crafts and games, and child friendly fireworks. Gates 2pm, last entry 6.15pm, fireworks 7pm; adult £8.77/child 3-15 £6.97/family £31.50 (2 adults, 2 kids)-£38.48 (2 adults-3 kids) (Nov 7-8)
Sun: Richmond Family Fireworks, Richmond Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Rd, TW9 2SS (Richmond tube/overground)
Multi award-winning Phoenix Fireworks are back for another rousing show, this year themed ‘A Night at the Musicals’ with tributes to some West End hits. Join a 6000-strong crowd for fireworks, funfair, mulled wine and a party atmosphere. 4.30pm gates, 7pm fireworks; adult £8 (adv)-£10 (gate)/child £5/family £25/under 5s FREE (Nov 8)
NEXT WEEKEND
Sat 14: 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 the capital’s most extravagant displays rounds off Bonfire Night season next weekend, in celebration 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 14)
MORE FAMILY FUN IN LONDON THIS WEEKEND (NOVEMBER 5-7, 2015)
Thu-Sun: Into the Hoods Remixed at Sadler’s Wells, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Back in 2008, Zoo Nation dance company dazzled audiences with their hip hop fairytale Into the Hoods. Now they’re back with a revamped version, new choreography and designs as they showcase the journey of two lost schoolkids from Ruff Endz estate who follow a trail of rap, rhythm and rhyme. Wicked production for ages 5+ (younger ones will not be admitted). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun), no show on Wed 4 Nov; £15-£38/under 16s half price (until Nov 14)
Thu-Sun: Ski & Snowboard Show at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ (Clapham Junction rail/Sloane Square tube)
Rad dude! The festival for icy cool athletes and aspirational boarders and skiers returns to Earl’s Court. There’s loads on for kids and families, with a children’s slide, Burton Riglet park where little ones can get snowboarding, and 20,000 free lift passes for resorts around the UK and Europe. Don’t miss out on the apres ski activities once the babes have gone to bed. 11am-9.30pm (Thu), 10am-9.30pm (Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun); tickets from child £11 and adult £26/under 11s FREE (Nov 5-8)
Sun: Disco Loco’s 9th Birthday, at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
We love the Loco and we say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY as the ‘wild and wonderful’ east London family party turns 9! They will be celebrating in true style with 3 hours of music, magic and mayhem, featuring a live hula hooping show from Obie Campbell, along with the usual food stalls (Jamaican patties… mmm), licensed bar and a special birthday finale. Host MC Chu-i works the crowd, with DJs Earl Gateshead (Trojan Sound System), Emilia Harmony, Toby Kidd and the Reverend Milo Speedwagon working the turntables. Great fun for everyone from babies and upwards. 3-6pm, £3 adv/door, non-walkers FREE (Nov 8)
We also like
Kids ages 5+ can take part in set design and scene modelling with their families at National Theatre in Design and Make: I Want My Hat Back (Sat); catch Urban Explorer’s screening of That Sugar Film, an eye-opening look at what sugar does to the body (Sat); head to the Duke of York Square Christmas Lights 2015 switch on for festive fun, magic and real live reindeer (Sat);
impress your mouthy minis at the UK Beatbox Championships live at Clapham Grand (Sat); join the LSO Orchestra in their homage to Lewis Carroll with LSO Discovery Family Concert: Wonderland at Barbican Centre (Sun)
Booking Ahead
I Want My Hat Back at National Theatre (Nov 12-Jan 2)
Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith (Nov 20-Dec 24)
Winter at Southbank Centre (from Nov 20-Jan 17)
Framed Family Film Festival at Barbican Centre (Nov 21-22)
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith (Nov 21-Jan 3)
Winterville at Victoria Park (Nov 26-Dec 23)
Children’s Christmas Spectacular at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Nov 28)
Big Fish Little Fish at Museum of London Docklands (Nov 29)
Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic (Dec 2-Jan 16)
Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre (Dec 4-Jan 31)
Big Fish Little Fish at The Garage, Islington (Dec 13)
