Brew up the mulled wine and break out the toffee apples, Bonfire Night is here again! One of Oxford’s favourite autumnal traditions, there’s plenty of opportunity this year to get stuck into the fireworks and festivities. We hope you have fun outdoors, and we have some advice for new dog owners about how to help your pet on this potentially alarming date.
Do you know details about a bonfire or firework display which is not listed here? Email [email protected] - we'll advertise it for free!
Fun Fireworks Facts
The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486. Fireworks are a symbol of enthusiasm and exhilaration (probably quite easy to work out why). Fireworks are sometimes used to scare off evil spirits. Consumer fireworks are banned in some states in America, even around 4th July. Blue fireworks are considered the most difficult colour to make.
The traditional cake eaten on Bonfire Night is Parkin cake, made from oatmeal, ginger, treacle and syrup.
"Guy" originally meant "ugly, repulsive person" but since Guy Fawkes, it has become a common word for "man". One place in the UK that doesn't celebrate Guy Fawkes Night is St. Peter’s School in York. Guy Fawkes went there as a boy and they refuse to burn his image in respect for their former pupil.
Henley Fireworks Spooktacular
Henley Showground, Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3AS (free parking)
On-site fairground, a fancy-dress competition (winner gets to light the bonfire!), and a fireworks display and lightshow set to a spine-chilling Halloween soundtrack. This is a lower noise event, and a smaller display will be provided for younger visitors.
Gates:4pm-8pm
Tickets:Children (free for infants) £8, Adults £14, Early Saver Family Ticket A (2 x Adult, 2 x Child)-£40, Early Saver Family Ticket B (1 x Adult, 3 x Child) - £35
Thomley Fireworks
Thomley, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Buckinghamshire HP18 9JZ
Thomley is an accessible, welcoming space for people with all abilities and disabilities. This is a reduced noise event with fireworks selected to produce less noise than a regular display for those with sensory processing issues. Ear defenders and inside viewing options provided, as well as tipples and soft drinks, warm snacks and toffee apples. There will also be a raffle on the day to push the button to start the fireworks.
Gates: 5-8pm
Tickets:: £9 (10% discount for members, email [email protected] for code), family (2+2) £26
Weston-on-the-Green Fireworks
Weston On The Green Playing Field, Oxfordshire, OX25 3RG
Village fireworks featuring hot snacks, a cash bar, a bonfire and fireworks display.
Gates: 6:30PM-8PM
Tickets: £1 per person
Eye and Dunsden Village Hall Fireworks
Dunsden Village Hall (parking in Dunsden farmyard RG4 9QD), RG4 9QG
Family fireworks featuring hotdogs, tomato soup, tea, coffee and Loddon ales, as well as glow sticks available to buy from the tuck shop. Please park in the Dunston Farmyard. Walk on road and through community orchard as directed at your own risk. Strictly no parking at the hall except for the disabled. Drop-off facilities available for those with small children. Bring a torch if you can.
Gates: 6PM-8:30PM
Tickets: Children £5 (under 4s go free), Adults £10, Family (2+ up to 3) £20
Ducklington Fireworks Spectacular!
Ducklington Showground, Witney, OX29 7YE (free parking)
Fairground rides, local stalls, glows and sparklers and a selection of delicious fall favourites. Bonfire starts at 6PM with fireworks at 7:30.
Gates: 4pm - 9pm
Tickets: Adults £8, children age 5-15 £4, infants free (rides not included)
St Nicolas C Of E Primary School, Boxhill Walk, Abingdon, OX14 1HB
Enjoy an early evening fireworks display of the highest quality alongside food trucks, cake stands and a bar with hot and cold drinks. This event is an SNSA fundraiser; tickets should be booked in advance as there is a limited capacity.
Gates: 6PM-7:30PM
Tickets: £5 per person, £16 per family (2+2) ticket (advance booking required).
Witney Lakes Resort Fireworks Display
Witney Lakes Resort, Downs Road, Witney, OX29 0SY
Food stalls featuring tasty treats from local vendors, outdoor bar service, entertainment and more, with fireworks beginning at 8PM. Be sure to dress for the elements and bring your tickets with you on the night, as tickets will not be available on the door. Use of sparklers is not permitted at this event. Club car park spaces are fully booked so attendees without a parking ticket are required to park off-site.
Gates: 6PM-10PM
Entry: Children £5 (free for under 3s), Adults £12.50, Family (2+2) £30 (advance booking required)
Kidlington Bonfire Night
Stratfield Brake Recreation Ground, Kidlington, OX5 2DH (no general parking available, only limited disabled spaces)
A low noise and environmentally friendly display, as well as fairground rides, BBQ, bar and stalls.
Gates: 6PM (display 7PM)
Tickets: Available to purchase in advance from Exeter Hall or 'on the gate'.
Didcot Football Club Fireworks
Didcot FC, Loop Meadow, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7GA
Mega fairground, hot food and drink, a bar, and stalls with glows and sparklers available to buy.
Gates: 4PM-9PM (bonfire at 6PM, fireworks at 7:30PM)
Entry: Children £4 online (£5 on gate), Adults £8 online (£10 on gate) (free for under 5s)
Cholsey Bonfire Night
Cricket Field, Cholsey Meadows, Oxfordshire, OX10 9GW
Free community event starting at 6PM with the lighting of the bonfire, followed by a firework display at 7.30pm. All proceeds from this event will go to funding next year’s display.
Gates: 6pm, display at 730PM
Tickets: Free
Grove Fireworks and Bonfire
Recreation Ground, Cane Lane, Grove, Wantage OX12 0FL
Grove RFC’s annual Fireworks and Bonfire extravaganza, featuring fireworks, a humongous bonfire, bbq, beer and on site funfair.
Gates: 6:30PM - 11:30PM
Tickets: £2 per child, £5 per adult
Hanborough Musical Fireworks
Hanborough Playing Fields, Long Hanborough, Witney OX29 8DJ
Fairground and candy floss, BBQ, jacket Potatoes, smores, mulled wine, light up toys, hot chocolate and much more. No car parking, so please walk or park sensibly around the village (train station car park is 15 mins walk away). This is a charity event and will be cash only.
Gates: 6PM (fireworks at 7:15PM)
Tickets: £2 per child, £5 per adult
South Stoke Bonfire Night
South Stoke Recreation Ground, Cross Keys Rd, South Stoke, Reading RG8 0JT
Enjoy a roaring bonfire and a half-hour firework display alongside all the usual favourites, including Ridgeway beer, mulled wine, hot dogs, doughnuts and cakes, as well as homemade soup and hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks. All proceeds go to South Stoke School. Sparklers are not permitted at this event.
Gates: 6PM-8:30PM
Tickets: Children £4.50, Adults £9.50, Family(2+2) £25
YoCO Berinsfield Fireworks and Bonfire Night
Queenford Lakes, Burcot Lane, Berinsfield, OX10 7PQ
An evening of family fun with Hatwell’s Funfair, market stalls and food from The Wandering Kitchen. The bonfire will start at 6pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 7pm set by the beautiful Queenford Lakes.
Gates: 5PM-8PM (fireworks at 7PM)
Tickets: Children £5, Adults £8, Family (2+2) £20 (excluding booking fees, advance booking encouraged).
Oxford Round Table 54th Annual Charity Fireworks
South Park, Oxford, OX3 0HS
Sponsored by Get Support and raising money to support Oxford Round Table’s work with Oxford based groups, schools and charities, this event features their traditional spectacular fireworks display, as well as a bonfire constructed by Round Table members and volunteers. Rides and attractions provided by Hebborn's Funfair and a fully licenced bar will also be available on the night. Visitors can enjoy a dedicated enclosure and viewing area in the Super Family Tent (accessible with a Super Family Ticket). Please dress warm and waterproof and bring a torch where possible.
Gates: 4:30PM-9:30PM (fireworks at 7:15PM)
Tickets: Children £5 (free for under 5s), Over 65s £8, Students £8, Adults £10, Get Radio VIP ticket £30, Super Family Ticket £70, additional family member £20
Bicester Round Table Fireworks 2023
Pingle Field Sports Pavillion, Bicester, OX26 6AU (parking available at Bicester Village)
Fireworks for a good cause organised by Bicester Round Table. Gates open at 6PM with fireworks beginning at 7:30 and refreshments provided.
Gates: 6PM (fireworks at 7:30PM)
Tickets:: £5 per person (free for under 5s), £6 on the day
1st Standlake and Cokethorpe Sea Scouts Fireworks 2023
Standlake Village Hall, nr Witney, OX29 7SB
The Sea Scouts' biggest fundraiser of the year, enabling 100 West Oxfordshire young people per week to enjoy Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer activities including sailing, kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding and rafting from May to September. Hot food and drink available - if walking down from the village, please bring a torch!
Gates: 6PM (fireworks at 7PM)
Tickets:: £5 per person, £20 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children (under 5s go free)
Chalbury Cricket Club Fireworks Night
Charlbury Cricket Club Dyers Hill, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, OX7 3QG (parking available at Charlbury Station only)
Charlbury Cricket Club is hosting two displays, a main event at 6PM and a low noise option at 7PM There will also be a variety of food and and drink availabe for purchase.
Gates: 5:15PM
Tickets: Under 16s £1, Adults £9, Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3x U16s) £18
Thame Fireworks Display
Chinnor Rugby Club, Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JL (very limited parking on a first come first served basis)
Fireworks display organised by the 3 Thame Primary Schools: St Joseph's, John Hampden and Barley Hill. Enjoy the fireworks, accompanied by music, while raising money to support these local schools. Food vendors and bar services are available. No sparklers/smoking/animals/outside food and beverages are permitted on the premises.
Gates: 5PM
Tickets: Children £3.30, Adults £5.50 (eTickets available)
Wallingford Bonfire & Fireworks Display
Kinecroft, Wallingford
OX10 0DT
Organised by Wallingford 1155, Wallingford Fireworks’ annual display puts on a spectacular show while giving back to the community, local charities and organisations. Give back to a good cause with every tasty snack and glass of mulled wine you buy, as well as ale and lagers from Loose Cannon brewery. Fireworks kick off at 6PM with a quiet display.
Gates: 6PM - 9PM
Tickets: FREE (donations welcome).
Deddington Fireworks
Deddington C of E School, Earls Ln, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TJ
Deddington Primary School teachers and parents invite you to join them for a brilliant night of fireworks on the school field, with a licensed bar, glow toys and a fire engine. All funds raised will go to support the school.
Gates: 5:45PM (fireworks at 7:30PM)
Tickets: Single £5 advance, £6 on the gate, Family £14, £16 on the gate (advance tickets can be purchased cash only from the Flower Shop).
Little Milton Fireworks Night
The Pine Lodge, Thame Rd, Little Milton, Oxford OX44 7PZ
The Annual Village Fireworks display accompanied to music will be taking place on the Recreation Ground with doors opening at 18:00. There will be hot soup, hot dogs for sale plus a bar in the Village Hall. Please do not bring your own fireworks and ensure any pets in attendance are on leads.
Gates: 6PM
Tickets: Available for purchase in the village Shop, or on the gate.
Bodicote Fireworks
Kingsfield, White Post Road, Bodicote, Oxfordshire, OX15 4BN
Bodicote’s 51st annual display; enjoy food vans and fairground attraction, with fireworks starting at 7:30PM. No sparklers permitted at this event.
Gates: 6PM-9PM
Tickets: £5, cash only (free for under 5s)
2nd Abingdon Scout Group Fireworks Display 2023
Long Furlong Community Centre, Boulter Drive, Abingdon OX14 1XP (Free parking available at Tilsley Park, Dunmore Road, Abingdon, OX14 1PU)
Bring the family along to Long Furlong Community Centre in North Abingdon. Tuck in to a tasty barbeque, warm up with a hot drink, and enjoy the display, with even more entertainment to follow! All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Gates: 6PM-8PM
Tickets: Advance ticket £5, single ticket £7 (booking fees not included).
Marlow Monster Fireworks
Marlow Sports Club, Pound Lane, Marlow SL7 2AE
Marlow Monster Fireworks is a celebration of community, and invites you to come together with your neighbours and friends to enjoy a night of unity and shared wonder. Capacity is limited and the event is often sold out, so booking early is advised to avoid disappointment.
Gates: 6PM-8:30PM
Tickets: Adults £10, children £5 (under 5s go free). If tickets are available on the day, they can be bought by card at the gates.
Steeple Claydon Parish Council Fireworks Display
The Village Hall, 48 Queen Catherine Road, Steeple Claydon, Bucks, MK18 2PY
This is a free event run by the Parish Council, supported by a team of trained volunteers. Bring your cash, as there will be re-useable glow sticks, a BBQ, and teas and coffees for sale in the bar in the pavilion.
Gates: 6:30PM-9:00PM
Tickets: Free, donations welcome.
North Leigh FC Fireworks Night
Eynsham Park, Eynsham, OX29 6SL
North Leigh Football Club's annual fireworks night is back again! Accompanying this year’s display will be music, a fully stocked bar and plenty of food, as well as a raffle to win a fab set of prizes.
Gates: 6:30PM (fireowrks at 7:30PM)
Tickets: Single £6, Family (2+2) £15, free entry for under 5s.
Standlake Arena Big Bang Bonfire and Firework Meeting
Standlake Arena A415, Witney OX29 7PR, United Kingdom
An action packed day of racing culminating in a Bonfire lighting and Big Bang Firework Spectacular. On track action comes from Unlimited and 2 Litre National Bangers, Juniors, Prod A, Drift Rods and F2 Stox.
Gates: 8AM, first race 11AM. Fireworks display time dependent on runtime of the races.
Tickets: Children £12/£5 after 4PM (free for under 10s), Adults £18/£10 after 4PM, Family £50/£25 after 4PM, no advance tickets payment on arrival with cash or card accepted.
Boddington Fireworks Display
Warwick Road, Upper Boddington, NN11 6DH
This display hosted by Boddington Village Hall offers a bar, BBQ, mulled wine, hot chocolate and children's goodies to accompany the big bang.
Gates: 5:45PM, display 6:30PM
Tickets: Children £3 (free for under 4s), Adults £5, Family (4) £12. If buying on the door, cash preferred.
Fritwell School Fireworks
East Street, Fritwell, United Kingdom, OX27 7PX
Fritwell School’s display is paired with a BBQ and bar, sweets and games and light up toys for the whole family.
Gates: 5PM
Tickets: Children £3.50 (under 4s £1), Adults £5, available from [email protected]
Newbury Fireworks Spectacular
Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham RG18 9QZ (free parking)
A jaw-dropping firework display choreographed to music and accompanied by fairground rides, fire breathers and a dazzling lightshow. There will be a smaller fireworks display for children at 6:30 before the main display.
Gates: 3PM-9PM
Tickets: Early Saver Child £6, £10 on the day (free for under 3s), Early Saver Adult £12, £15 on the day, Early Saver Family A (2+2) £30, not available on the gate, Early Saver Family B (1 adult + 3 children) £30, not available on the day (booking fees not included).
Barrack's Lane Festival of Fire and Light
Barracks Lane Community Garden, Barracks Lane (off Cumberland Road), Oxford, OX4 2AP
A relaxed, easygoing alternative to a fireworks display, with lantern and headdress-making, pumpkin soup over a roaring fire (£1.50 donation), make-your-own pizza (£4 donation), and seasonal non-alcoholic drinks. There will also be a fermentation workshop from 2-3.30pm supported by Replenish (booking required).
Gates: 12PM-6PM
Tickets: Free (donations for certain activities)
Wormleighton Young Farmers Bonfire and Fireworks
Bourbon Fields Farm, Great Bourton, OX17 1AS
WYF’s annual fireworks night - jacket potato and chilli included with entry as well as a cash bar. All welcome.
Gates: 7:30PM
Tickets: £5 on the door.
Botley School Fireworks
Botley School, Elms Road, Botley, Oxford OX2 9JZ
Botley School’s fireworks also include a treasure hunt and craft session for Key Stage 1 children (younger/older siblings also welcome) from 5-6PM. BBQ and refreshments will be available from 6pm. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a torch and cash for snacks.
Gates: 6PM
Tickets: Children £3 (free for under 3s), Adults £5, Family (2+2) £12 advance/ £15 on the door (advance tickets available from Botley Library).
Abingdon Bonfire and Fireworks
Abingdon Airfield, Barrow Road, Shippon OX13 6JQ
The UK’s biggest fireworks display and light show synchronized to music, including a quarter mile wide fireworks display, fairground attractions and pyrotechnics. There will be a smaller, low-noise fireworks display for children at 6:30 before the main display.
Gates: 3PM-9PM
Tickets: Advance Saver Child £8, £10 on the day (free for under 3s), Advance Saver Adult £14, £15 on the day, Family (2+2) £40, not available on the day (booking fees not included).
Yarnton Fireworks
Little Marsh Pavilion Green Lane Yarnton OX5 1QE
Yarnton’s display includes hot dogs, hot drinks and other yummy treats. There will be a minute silence after the firing of the first firework at 7pm, in memory of John Gardner who passed away in January 2022. John was a volunteer on the Yarnton Playing Fields Committee and responsible for starting the Yarnton fireworks every year for Skyline Promotions.
Gates: 6PM, display soon after 7PM
Tickets: £4.50 in advance, £5 on the door (free for under 5s).
Risinghurst Annual Fireworks
Risinghurst Sports Ground, Grovelands Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8HZ (no on-street parking)
A quiet firework display with soundtrack by 'Fantastic Fireworks'. Hot and cold refreshments and glow sticks provided with thanks to Headington Youth Football Club and Sandhill School PTA. Please come on foot if you can - for those who are driving, all parking will be at Thornhill Park and Ride, OX3 8DP.
Gates: 6PM (fireworks begin at 7:15)
Tickets: Children (5-16) £2, Adults £3
Advice for Pet Owners
Pets can struggle during fireworks season - some find it scary and need help in coping. If you're heading out to a display bear in mind that your pets may be alarmed without you. Here's what Dogs Trust recommend:
- Make your house and garden escape-proof. Scared pets can try to run away if they’re scared. Close your windows and curtains, turn the lights on, and try switching on the TV to help disguise the noise.
- Go for walkies before dark. Make sure you get out well before any fireworks could start.
- Feed your pet before it gets noisy. Once fireworks begin, they might be too stressed to eat.
- Create a safe hiding place and settle your pet before fireworks start. A den is a great way to help them to feel safe and secure. A den is easy to make and can be put together with things you already have.
- Vets can also recommend effective, natural remedies to help pets stay calm. Pheromone diffusers can create a calm atmosphere in your home.
- It's important to bear wildlife in mind too - always check bonfires for hedgehogs, and don't set fireworks off in areas with livestock (many of Oxford's wilder open spaces are grazed by cattle at this time of year).