Remember, remember, the 5th of November!
Bonfire Night is nigh on the calendar, and you can find all the pyrotechnical delights Oxfordshire has to offer over the next month right here, from explosive showstoppers to gentler, low-noise displays. We also have some advice for new dog owners about how to help your pet on this potentially alarming date, so you can make sure your faithful hound is as relaxed as possible. Wrap up warm and take in the lightshow, wherever it may be!Do you know details about a bonfire or firework display which is not listed here? Email info@dailyinfo.co.uk - 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.
Thomley Reduced Sound Fireworks
Thomley, Worminghall, 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 a lantern display and the chance to grab 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. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Gates: 5-8pm
Tickets:: £9 (10% discount for members, email mary.coleman@thomley.org.uk for code), family (2+2) £26
Weston-on-the-Green Fireworks
Weston On The Green Playing Field, Oxfordshire, OX25 3RG
Village fireworks featuring a bonfire and fireworks display, as well as hot food and cash bar.
Gates: 6:30PM-7:45PM
Tickets:: £5 per adult, £2 per child
Wallingford Bonfire and 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. The event is free to attend but you are encouraged to donate. Every tasty snack and glass of mulled wine you buy, as well as glowsticks, sparklers and ale and lagers from Loose Cannon brewery, gives back to the community. Fireworks kick off at 6PM with a medieval torchlit procession of Guys walking through the crowd, beating drums. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, and fireworks from 7pm. Fireworks will begin with a lower-noise children's display.
Gates: 6PM - 8PM
Tickets: FREE (donations welcome).
Newbury Fireworks Spooktacular
Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, RG14 7NZ
A jaw-dropping firework display with food and drink galore to enjoy.
Gates: 5PM, display 7:30PM.
Tickets:Booking essential - no tickets on the gate. £14 adult, £7 child (5-16 years old), £30 Family (2 adults + 2 children).
Bicester Round Table Fireworks
Pingle Field Football Complex and Recreation, Bicester, OX26 6AU (parking at Bicester Village)
Fireworks for a good cause organised by Bicester Round Table. Gates open at 4PM with bonfire lighting at 7pm and fireworks beginning at 7:30. Refreshments provided.
Gates: 4PM (fireworks at 7:30PM)
Tickets:: £7 per person plus booking fee (free for under 5s).
Marlow Monster Fireworks
Marlow Sports Club, Pound Lane, Marlow SL7 2AE
Get ready for the biggest, baddest fireworks show in Marlow - it's gonna be a monster of a night! Bar and food stalls available. 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 (not cash) 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. No sparklers please! Guy competition 6:45pm, bonfire and fireworks start 7pm.
Gates: 6:30PM-8PM
Tickets: Free, but donations welcome.
North Leigh FC Fireworks Night
North Leigh FC, Witney, OX29 6SL
Alongside the stunning fireworks display will be some music, a fully stocked bar and plenty of food to get stuck into. So get yourselves down to the club for an evening of great fun. Blue badge parking only, so please walk or take S7 bus.
Gates: 6:30PM (fireworks at 7:30PM)
Tickets: Adult £6, Child £3, Family (2+3) £15.
Barrack's Lane Festival of Fire and Light
Barracks Lane Community Garden, Barracks Lane (off Cumberland Road), Oxford, OX4 2AP
Pumpkin soup and pizza making, music, and lantern making sessions for children. No fireworks, but plenty of seasonal cosiness.
Gates: 2PM-5:30PM
Tickets: Free (donations encouraged)
Standlake Arena Big Bang Bonfire and Firework Meeting
Standlake Arena A415, Witney OX29 7PR
An action packed day of racing followed by bonfire, guy competition and (loud!) fireworks. On track action comes from Unlimited and 2 Litre National Bangers, Teen Street Bangers, Juniors, 1600 Prod Rods, Prod A’s and F2 Stox.
Gates: 8AM, first race 11AM. Fireworks display time dependent on runtime of the races.
Tickets: Adults £20, or £12 after 4pm. Children £15, or £6 after 4PM. Free for under 10s. Family (2+2) £55, or £30 after 4PM. Payment on arrival with cash or card. Some vendors will be cash only.
Bicester Golf Hotel Fireworks Display
Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa, Green Lane, OX26 1TH
Join us for our fireworks spectacular! Music and food. Free car parking, but parking is very limited. Please arrive early, or car share or walk if possible.
Gates: 5.30PM, fireworks from 7PM
Tickets: £7.50 per person in advance or £10 on the door (free for under 5s)
Boddington Fireworks Display
Warwick Road, Upper Boddington, NN11 6DH
Breathtaking pyrotechnics, real fire effects, and some exciting surprises you won’t want to miss. Add live music, tasty food, and a buzzing family-friendly atmosphere — and you’ve got the perfect autumn night out.
Gates: 5:30PM-8PM
Tickets: Booking strongly advised. Cash preferred on gate. Family (2+3) £15, or £20 on the gate. Children £4 (free for under 5s), Adults £6, or £7 on the gate.
Bodicote Fireworks Night
Banbury Cricket Club, White Post Road
A spectacular evening of dazzling pyrotechnics awaits you at Banbury Cricket Club's White Post Road ground for the landmark 50th celebration of Bodicote Fireworks Night! Enjoy the display from the warmth and comfort of the Pavilion or embrace the excitement from our spacious ground viewing areas. Fully stocked bar and on-site parking.
Gates: 6PM (fireworks at 7:30PM)
Tickets: £5. Cash only.
Kidlington Fireworks
Stratfield Brake Sports Ground, Frieze Way, Kidlington OX5 1UP
A low noise and environmentally friendly fireworks display and laser show, opening with a freestyle fire show. Hot food, snacks and drinks.
Gates: 6PM, fireworks 7PM prompt.
Tickets: Adults £6, children £4 (£1 off if bought in advance from Exeter Hall). Under 3s go free.
Hanborough Musical Fireworks
The Pavilion, Roosevelt Rd, Long Hanborough, Witney OX29 8JG
A fireworks display synchronised to music, accompanied by fairground rides and generous helpings of hot food and drinks. No onsite parking.
Gates: 6PM, fireworks at 7:15PM.
Tickets: Adults £6, children £2.50 (cash only, all profts go to charity).
Cokethorpe School Fireworks
Cokethorpe School, Witney OX29 7PU
The CPFA invite you and your family to our annual Fireworks Extravaganza. Alongside the fireworks, there’ll be fairground rides, sweet treats and cookies, and a great selection of food and drink.
Gates: 7PM-9:30PM (bonfire at 7:30PM, fireworks 8:15PM).
Tickets: £35 family tickets for families of 5 (or £40 on the door), or £8 per single ticket.
South Stoke Fireworks and Bonfire Night
South Stoke Recreation Ground, Cross Keys Rd, South Stoke, Reading RG8 0JT
Come and enjoy the Fireworks Display, choreographed to music by Double British Fireworks Champions Illusion Fireworks Ltd. There will also be seasonal refreshments and a licensed bar. All proceeds go to support South Stoke Primary School. This is a no sparkler event.
Gates: 5.30pm-8pm (fireworks at 7:30)
Tickets: Family (2+2) - £27 advance or £32 on the gate. Adults £10 advance, £12 on the gate. Child £5.50, £7 on the gate.
Witney Lakes Resort Fireworks Display
Witney Lakes Resort, Downs Road, Witney, OX29 0SY
Fireworks extravaganza with refreshments from local food vendors - make sure to wrap up warm!
Gates: 6PM-10PM, fireworks 8PM
Entry: Children £8 (free for under 3s). Adults £15. Family (2+2) £35. Booking essential.
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. Bar, BBQ, hot chocolate, mulled wine, sparklers and glowsticks.
Gates: 6PM-8PM, display at 730PM
Tickets: Free, donations encouraged.
Shipston on Stour Sports Club Fireworks Display
Shipston-On-Stour Sports Club, 21 London Road, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 4EP
Enjoy the fun of the fireworks with mulled wine and live music, as well as three licensed bars, a tombola, and more. The car park will be closed so please plan your trip accordingly. No sparklers please.
Gates: 5:30PM (bonfire lit at 7pm and fireworks at 7.30pm.)
Tickets:Adults £8, Children £5 (under 5s free).
Grove Fireworks and Funfair
Recreation Ground, Cane Lane, Grove, Wantage OX12 0FL
Grove RFC’s annual Fireworks and Bonfire extravaganza, featuring illusion fireworks, a humongous bonfire, street food, beer and funfair.
Gates: 6PM
Tickets: £8 adults, £5 children, £20 for families (up to 5 people). 10% online booking fee applies.
Oxford Round Table Annual Charity Fireworks
South Park, Oxford, OX3 0HS
Oxford Round Table’s traditional spectacular fireworks display. Rides and attractions, live musi, fully licenced bar. Please dress warm and waterproof and bring a torch where possible.
Gates: 4:30PM (fireworks at 7:15PM)
Tickets: Child – £6, Adult – £12, Super Family Tent – £21 pp, VIP area £35 pp.
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 low noise display at 6PM and the main display at 7PM. Food by Copper Pot and the Friday Night Chip Van.
Gates: 5:30PM - 9PM
Tickets: Under 16s £1, Adults £10, Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3x U16s) £20
2nd Abingdon Scout Group Fireworks Display and BBQ
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. No sparklers please!
Gates: 6PM-8PM (fireworks begin 7:30PM-7:45PM, weather dependent).
Tickets: £6 each or four for £20 (advance).
Little Milton Fireworks Night
Little Milton Hall and Recreation Ground, Little Milton, OX44 7PZ
Come and join us for the spectacular annual village Fireworks display to accompanying music. There will be a Bar, plus hot soup and Hot Dogs for sale in the Hall. Please do not bring your own fireworks and ensure any pets in attendance are on leads.
Gates: 6PM-8PM
Tickets: Adults £5. Children ovr 12 £3. Under 12s free. Tickets available for purchase in the village Shop, or on the gate.
Marlow Bottom Fireworks
Marlow Bottom Playing Fields, SL7 3PJ. Access is via Burford Close only.
Rides, Barbarian Grill, Knead Pizza, hot drinks and sweet treats, Rebellion bar, mulled wine, funfair activities. Book early - tickets sell fast!
Gates: 6PM, fireworks start between 7pm and 8pm
Tickets: £10 over 13s, £6 age 4-12, under 4s go free. Family ticket (2+2) £25.
Fritwell School Fireworks
East Street, Fritwell, Bicester OX27 7PX
Fritwell School’s display is paired with food, drinks, and music from DJ Audio Visual.
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Gates: 5PM - 8PM
Tickets: £5.50 (free for under 3s)
Thame Fireworks Display
Chinnor Rugby Club, Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JL
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. Live children's entertainer from 4:30PM in the marquee.
Gates: 4PM (fireworks 6:30PM).
Tickets: Adults £7.50, children £4.50 (under 4s free).
Ducklington Fireworks Spectacular!
Ducklington Showground, Witney, OX29 7YE (free parking)
Light up your night at Ducklington Fireworks Spectacular! Award-winning fireworks, bonfire, big funfair, licensed bar, hot food and more! The bonfire will be at 6:30 with the main display starting at 7:30.
Gates: 4pm - 9pm
Tickets: Children under 5 go FREE! Children £4, Adults (16+) £9. Tickets are available online and at the gates.
Abingdon Bonfire and Fireworks
Abingdon Airfield, Barrow Road, Shippon OX13 6JQ
A jaw-dropping half-kilometre-wide display where fireworks erupt all around you in a 270° wrap-around display choreographed to music using a stadium scale sound system and fused with an immersive light and laser spectacular.
Plus Massive bonfire, K-pop Demon Hunters themed kids show, a camper van with a fighter jet engine!
Gates: 3PM
Tickets: Adult £16. Child £10. Infants free. Family £48. Parking £5 per vehicle.
Yarnton Fireworks
Little Marsh Pavilion, Green Lane, Yarnton OX5 1QE
Pyrotechnics plus American BBQ, Meet Point Coffee, hotdogs and doughnuts, homemade cakes. No parking. No sparklers.
Gates: 5:30PM, fireworks from 7PM
Tickets: £5 (free for under 6s).
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).