This year displays are creeping back to our listings! 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.
Family Fireworks Spooktacular
Abingdon Air Field, OX13 6JA
Low noise family Halloween/Fireworks display. Drive-in only! Enjoy an Enormous Fairground, Hot Food & Drink, Flame & Fireball Display, Light Show, Xplosive Hot Air Balloon, Night Firework Sky Divers and a Jaw Dropping quarter mile wide 'Low Noise' Fireworks Display Choreographed to a Halloween Soundtrack by Double British Firework Champions Illusion Fireworks Ltd!
Gates: 4pm, fireworks 7.30-8.00pm (cars can leave from 8pm), fairground closes 9pm
Tickets: £48 car & up to 7 people, £85 VIP, minibuses etc tickets available too
Thomley Fireworks
Thomley, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Buckinghamshire HP18 9JZ
Thomley is a welcoming space for those with all abilities and disabilities, and this is a specially low noise display that's perfect for children with sensory processing issues. Ear defenders and inside watching space are available if needed. Mulled wine, chilli jacket potatoes, toffee apples etc.
Gates: 5-8pm
Tickets: £8, family (2+2) £25
Cholsey Bonfire Night
Cholsey Meadows, Cholsey, Wallingford OX10 9GW
Brought to you by Cholsey CDT and Cholsey 1000 Plus and supported by Soha and Cholsey Parish Council, Cholsey Bonfire Night is a popular community event, perfect for families. There will be a bar and bbq, mulled wine, hot choc, sparklers and glow sticks for sale, as well as a guy competition.
Gates: 6:00pm
Entry: Free
Hanborough Musical Fireworks
The Pavilion, Roosevelt Road, Long Hanborough, OX29 8JG
The event will include a fairground, BBQ, jacket potatoes, hot and cold drinks and more. All proceeds go towards village charities.
No parking on event site due to school redevelopment. Please walk if possible. If you need to park in the village then please be considerate of people's drive ways and emergency vehicle access. No event access via Norridge Way for safety reasons.
Gates: 6pm (display 7.15pm)
Tickets: £4/£2
Henley Bonfire & Fireworks
Henley Showground RG9 3AS
Very large low noise display: fireworks and light show to music. Plus bonfire, hot air balloon, pyro helicopter (!) and fairground.
Gates: 4:00pm, children's low noise display 7pm, main display 9pm
Entry: Adult £10, child £5, family (2+2) £28, drive-in £55
North Leigh FC Fireworks and Bonfire Night
North Leigh Football Club, North Leigh, OX29 6SL
North Leigh's annual bonfire night is back again and will be held on Saturday 2nd November on the main pitch at the football ground. Alongside the huge bonfire and stunning firework display will be some music, a fully stocked bar, gin tasting, cakes for sale and an amazing BBQ team on the go so why not come down where there is enough entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Gates: 6.30pm (display 7.30pm)
Tickets: Single £6, Family (2+2) £15, under 3s free
The Ploughs Free Firework Night
The Green, Upper, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8BD
Bonfire, fireworks, BBQ, Mulled Wine, Chocolate Apples, indoor and outdoor bars. They advise walking as parking is limited.
Gates: 5pm, firework display 7pm
Entry: FREE
Witney Lakes Firework Night
Witney Lakes Resort, Lakeside Terrace, Downs Road, OX29 0SY Witney, Oxfordshire
Come and see the lights reflect in the lakes! Indoor and outdoor viewing spaces. Food and drink (and toilets) available. Very limited parking - please walk/liftshare where possible. Tickets must be prepurchased - no tickets on door. Card payments only on site.
Gates: 6pm (fireworks 8pm). Gates shut 7.45pm so arrive in plenty of time!
Tickets: £7.50, under 12s go free
Beckley Bonfire and Fireworks Night
Beckley Village Hall, Woodperry Road, Beckley, Oxford, OX3 9UZ
There will be burger van refreshments, and hot and cold drinks available in village hall. Parking available on the playing field.
Gates: 5.30pm (bonfire 6pm, fireworks 6.30pm)
Tickets: £5 for adults and children over four years
Brackley Community Firework Display (tbc)
St John's Site - Magdalen College School, High Street, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7DW
Great free evening of fireworks with community stalls and refreshments, supported by Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
Gates: 5.30pm (fireworks 7pm)
Tickets: Free
Oxford 53rd Annual Charity Fireworks Display
South Park, Oxford OX4 1NT
Oxford Round Table proudly presents its 53rd Annual Charity Fireworks Display, with the National Fireworks Champions, Illusion Fireworks Ltd! Come and watch the spectacular firework display, huge raging bonfire, great local acts on the JackFM sound stage, funfair and catering village - something for all the family, and with all profits going to local charities and good causes! This is Daily Info's nearest and dearest display that we recommend wholeheartedly!
Gates: 4.30pm
Tickets: £8 single, £7 student, £6 over 65, age 5-17 £4, under 5s free, £20.00 VIP
Plus family and park&ride deals too.
Thame Fireworks
Chinnor RFC, Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL
New venue for well-loved event. Bar and food vendors. No sparklers.
Gates: 5pm, Fireworks and music 6pm
Tickets: over 16s £5.50, children £3, pre-schoolers free.
Wallingford Charity Fireworks and Bonfire
The Kinecroft, Town Green, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 0DT
Come along and buy hot dogs, mulled wine, glow sticks and sparklers to support local charity Wallingford 1155.
Gates: 6pm
Tickets: free
South Stoke Firework and Bonfire Night
The Recreation Ground, Cross Keys Road, South Stoke, Reading RG8 0JU
A lovely family friendly bonfire night – one of the best fireworks displays around. Local beer, BBQ, homemade soup and mulled wine available, all in aid of South Stoke School Parents Association. Free parking. No sparklers please.
Gates: 6pm, Fireworks start at 7.15pm.
Tickets: adult £9.50, child £4.50, family (2+2) £25
Abingdon Bonfire and Fireworks
Abingdon Air Field, OX13 6JA
ENORMOUS Bonfire and BREATHTAKING QUARTER MILE WIDE fireworks display choreographed to music plus MEGA FunFair. This supersized event is rightly famous in the county.
Gates: 4pm (last entry 7pm), bonfire 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 adults, £5 child, £28 family (2+2), drive-in £55
Yarnton Fireworks (tbc)
Yarnton Playing Fields: Littlemarsh Pavilion, Yarnton Lane
Gates: 7pm
Bloxham Primary School Fireworks
Bloxham Primary School, Tadmarton Rd, Bloxham, Banbury, OX15 4HP
Mulled wine, BBQ and Fireworks!
Time and prices tbc
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).