Bonfire Night 2017

Fire, Fire! Welcome to our Bonfire Night 2017 guide to the best fireworks in London. This year, the 5th of November falls on Sunday and sparks will fly from Thursday evening throughout this weekend and next. I’ve listed our favourite Family friendly fireworks displays in the Capital, perfect for your Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. And remember, remember to take plugs or ear defenders for little ones who aren’t so keen on loud bangs!

Southwark Park Fireworks display is SOLD OUT, but here’s what else is happening in your ‘hood and SCROLL DOWN for more things to do in London with kids this weekend x

Thu: Fortismere School Fireworks at Fortismere School Playing Fields, Twyford Avenue entrance, N10 1NE (East Finchley tube)
It all kicks off tonight (THURSDAY) with Titanium Fireworks (Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve and Edinburgh Castle Hogmanay) putting on another cracking show for Bonfire Night 2017. There’s hot grub and refreshments on offer, kids’ sparkler den and Carters Steam Fair rides. Doors 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm, £5 adv tickets/£7 gate/under 5s FREE (Nov 2)

Fri: Corams Fields Fireworks 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
It’s one of the sweetest Guy Fawkes Night events: a fireworks display aimed at families with toddlers and babies. Enjoy gentler sparks and not-so-loud bangs, plus fairground rides, food and drink stalls. All welcome. Rides from 3.30pm, fireworks from 5pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 3)

Fri: Bishop’s Park Fireworks, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube)
Once again, the skies above Bishop’s Park will be ablaze with two shows, fairground attractions, street food and live entertainment. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (must collect from Lyric Hammersmith box office) or £8 gate/under 5s FREE. NB: No more tickets sold after 6pm on the day (Nov 3)

Fri-Sat: Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube then W3 bus to the park, Gate 6 recommended entry)
Ally Pally pretty much owns Bonfire Night 2017 in London with this two-day festival that’s typically sold out, but you can still grab tickets if you hurry! The most explosive fireworks in the capital are combined with March of the Phoenix parade, German Bier festival, DJ acts including DJ Yoda and Jazzie B, giant bonfire, a Family field area with funfair, amazing range of food and drinks, plus regular Ally Pally extras including ice skating. Gates open 4pm, laser show 8.35pm, fireworks 9pm-9.25pm; adult £11/child £8.50/family of 4 £31/child under 10 FREE but require registration with adult ticket purchase (separate charges apply for Bier Festival and ice skating). Advance booking essential. (Nov 3-4)

Sat: Ravenscourt Park Fireworks, W6 0TY (Hammersmith tube)
Kid-friendly fireworks are followed by a bigger, brassier display for grown-ups. Hot food and drink and traditional funfair available too. Prepare for crowds! Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (from Lyric Hammersmith box office) or £8 gate/under 5s free (Nov 4)

Sat: Crystal Palace Park Fireworks, Thicket Rd, SE19 2GA (Crystal Palace rail)
Bonfire Night at Crystal Palace dates back 151 years and is always a popular event with proceeds to charity. 6pm gates, kids show from 7pm, gates close 8.15pm, adult show 8.30pm; adult £8.50/child £4.50/under 3s FREE; NB: no tickets available at gate this year, must buy online! (Nov 4)

Sat: Blackheath Common Fireworks, SE3 0RW (Lewisham DLR/Blackheath rail)
The fun kicks off early in Blackheath with the fairground rides open from noon. Once again, South London Samba will be dancing up a storm for Bonfire Night 2017 on Blackheath Common, that draws up to 100,000 visitors each year. All ages. Funfair from 12pm, food stalls and bar from 5pm, fireworks at 8pm. Entrance FREE, no ticket required (Nov 4)

Sat: Battersea Park Fireworks, Albert Bridge, SW11 (Sloane Square tube/Battersea Park rail)
Go down to Battersea Park for Jubilee Fireworks’ choreographed display, a 22 minute display set to music inspired by the theme ‘Power’. Glow toys, food, drink and fun for all ages. Gates 6pm, bonfire 7.30pm, fireworks 8pm; advance £7 (SOLD OUT); gate fee £10, under 10s FREE but tickets needed. No admittance after 8pm. (Nov 4)

Sat: Clissold Park Fireworks, Clissold Park, Green Lanes, N16 9HJ (Arsenal/Manor House/Finsbury Park tube)
The Hackney Fireworks Display takes place again in Clissold Park in what’s set to be another incendiary night of rides, street performers, food and drink, and a 20 minute fireworks show. Dress as your favourite celebrity for the ‘Movies’ theme. Gates 5.30pm, fireworks 7pm; child £2.50/non-resident £3.50, adult £7.50/non-resident £8.50 (Nov 4)

Sat: Highgate School Fireworks Festival, Highgate Junior School, Cholmeley House, 3 Bishopswood Road, N6 4PL (Archway/Highgate tube)
The early show is SOLD OUT but there are limited tickets available for the later show for Bonfire Night 2017. Fire shows, toys, funfairs, street food, live student bands and some brilliant fireworks. In support of War Child. Early show 4pm-6.30pm, late show 7pm-9.30pm; adult £15/child £10 (Nov 4)

Sat-Sun: Guy Fawkes Festival and Fireworks at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham rail)
Book ahead or add this to your Bonfire Night bucket list. An amazing weekend of entertainment in a real gunpowder factory, with additional activities including Musket firing, Slime making and science demos by Professor Nitrate! Funfair and child friendly fireworks also on site. Gates 2pm, last entry 6.15pm, fireworks 7pm; adult £10.50/child 3-15 £8.50/family £34.20 (2 adults, 2 kids — single parent family, and family of 5 tickets also available) (Nov 4-5)

Sun: Richmond Family Fireworks, Richmond Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Rd, TW9 2SS (Richmond tube/overground)
Hot food, candy floss, mulled wine, popcorn stalls and an after-party are promised at this family friendly affair. It’s an ‘80s’ theme so get your leg warmers and mullets out and prepare for a lively night out. 4.30pm gates, 7pm fireworks; adult £8 (adv)-£10 (gate)/child £5/family £25/under 5s FREE (Nov 5)

NEXT WEEKEND

Sat 11: Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks, (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
If Bonfire Night 2017 doesn’t pop your cork, there’s still time to catch London’s most thrilling fireworks this side of New Year’s Eve! Head to Parliament Hill, Primrose Hill, Shooter’s Hill or other London vantage points, or brave the crowds along the riverside. Best views can be found somewhere between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges, either on Victoria Embankment or on the South Bank. 5.15pm, FREE (Nov 11)

Sat 11: King Alfred School Fireworks at The King Alfred School, Manor Wood, 149 North End Road, NW11 7HY (Golders Green tube)
It’s become an annual tradition for our Big Apple Hot Dogs family, as the Babe Papa serves up tasty hot dogs here every year. Beyond the yummy street food, you can enjoy fire spectacles, bonfire, kids’ entertainment, DJ tunes, glow toys, a vibrants atmosphere and a breathtaking fireworks display. Gates 5pm, street food 5pm-8.30pm, fireworks 7.45pm; £8-£12 (Nov 11)

London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 2-5, 2017)

Thu-Sun:Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Dr Seuss’s classic tale of a moustached creature on a mission to save our planet is back by popular demand at the Old Vic for a limited run. The Lorax has one goal in mind: to put a stop to The Once-ler, a mean old tree-slaying businessman. The environmental themes are cleverly weaved in to this gloriously infectious show created by David Greig and director Max Webster (James and the Giant Peach, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night). Dazzling puppetry, catchy music and rave reviews. For ages 6+. Kids ages 3 and under only admitted at special Relaxed Performances for younger ones (check web site for details). Show times 3pm & 7pm: £12-£38/under 16s half-price on bands A, B and C tickets (until Nov 5)

Thu-Sun: David Walliams’ Awful Auntie at Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1QJ (Richmond tube/overground)
It’s the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Awful Auntie, set to be another smash hit production by the team that brought you Gangsta Granny. Follow the tale of Stella, off to visit her parents Lord and Lady Saxby, only to wake up with no memory of the past three months. As her Aunt Alberta spins a story about what happened, Stella finds herself in a life and death fight against her very own awful Auntie. Based on the beloved book by David Walliams, catch it in Richmond before its national tour! Ages 5+. 1.30pm & 7pm (Thu), 10am & 7pm (Fri), 2.30pm & 7pm (Sat), 11am & 3pm (Sun); £26.50 (Nov 2-5)

Sat: Lyric Hammersmith: Your Toys, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
Your toys take centre stage at this theatrical adventure, starring real life playthings. Slot Machine Theatre invite kids and grown ups alike to come with their favourite toys and see them come to life. A monstrous force has taken over the land but only the bravest souls can conquer it. There’s danger all about but the toys — your toys — might just get us through. Puppetry, live music and humour for ages 5-9. 11am & 1pm, £8 (Nov 4)

Sat: Family Tours at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster SW1A 0AA (Westminster tube)
Mark the end of Guy Fawkes and his ‘epic fail’ in making Parliament go BANG at these guided tours for kids and families around the scene of the (almost) crime. These lunchtime tours whizz you through the House of Lords and House of Commons chambers, St Stephen’s Hall and Westminster Hall where Guy Fawkes stood trial. Why not also book for Afternoon Tea at the Houses of Parliament? All ages welcome, tours are best for ages 7-12. 1.30pm & 3pm (Sats); adult £18.50/child under 15 FREE (every Sat until Feb 24, 2018)

Sat-Sun: Beowulf (ages 8+) at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
LAST CHANCE: Monster slayer, hero, rock star…Beowulf is a legend in the true sense, and in this 21st century reimagining, he’s more than just a name in Olde English folklore. One actor plays Beowulf as he prepares for his final battle. He looks back over his life and examines what it means to be a leader — is it about victory at all costs, or is there another way? Chris Thorpe brings this tale to life with an immersive metal and electro-infused live soundtrack, flashing lights and dry ice! For ages 8+. 1.30pm (Sat-Sun), various other times and dates available; adult £10-£18, child under 18 £8-£10 (until Nov 5)

Sun: Disco Loco Extraordinary Laser Party, at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
Get loco in Hackney with the East London family rave crew for a special Fireworks Night Laser party. There will be big tunes on the dance floor with DJs Earl Gateshead (Trojan Sound System), Emilia Harmony and the Reverend Milo Speedwagon, plus MC Chu-i on the mic. Come dressed as a firework or wear black and make your own fireworks headdress in the crafty corner, plus sparkly cupcakes, dance ribbons, confetti finale and a bar to get grown-ups lit… but not too fired up! All ages welcome from babies upwards. 3-6pm, £4 adult/child, non-walkers FREE (Nov 5)

London Kids Cinema Listings

A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.

Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
LIAF: Magical Mayhem Shorts, 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Nov 4)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Home at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Nov 4)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
London Korean Film Festival: Franky and Friends at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Nov 4)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Corpse Bride at 11.30am; £1.75 (Nov 4)

COMING SOON

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
War Games at 12.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Nov 12)

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
LEGO Ninjago Movie at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Nov 26)

Booking Ahead

Southbank Centre Winter Festival (from Nov 10-Jan 4, 2018)
The Velveteen Rabbit at Unicorn Theatre (Nov 17-Dec 31)
The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre (Nov 17-Feb 4)
Big Fish Little Fish x Villa Pia Drum & Bass Toga Party at The Mangle, Hackney (Nov 19)
A Christmas Carol for ages 11+ at The Old Vic (Nov 20-Jan 20)
Boing at Unicorn Theatre (Nov 22-Dec 31)
Winterville on Clapham Common (Nov 23-Jan 1)
Pinocchio for ages 8+ at National Theatre (Dec 1-Apr 10)

Would you Adam and Eve it? Our Christmas in London guide is less than a month away!