Every 5 November, London's parks and sports grounds light up for Bonfire Night, the UK tradition marking the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot — Guy Fawkes's attempt to blow up Parliament and King James I. The 2026 line-up spans the whole city, and most events have grown into full-blown autumn festivals with funfairs, food stalls and live music alongside the fireworks.
The biggest of the bunch is Battersea Park (7–8 November), a Thames-side festival with churros, bratwurst stalls and big rides. Saturday brings a DJ set from Rudimental plus Fiesta Latina and Disco Ceilidh; Sunday has a Taylor Swift tribute and a fire show from Arcadia's Lords of Lightning. General tickets start at £16.70.
Alexandra Palace in north London (7–8 November) rivals it for scale, with a German beer tent, DJ Eats Everything, a Queen tribute, and Sunday family fare like Barrioke with Shaun Williamson and a kids' rave. Tickets start at just £6.50 but tend to sell out early. Blackheath (7 November, adults £16) made its comeback in 2025 after a long break, with 90s DJs, a comedy club and mass karaoke.
Families have solid options too. Walthamstow's three-night Spectacular (5–7 November, adults £11) runs a low-noise children's display at 6pm before the main 8pm show, with fire performers and funfair rides. Wimbledon Park (Thursday 5 November, from £13.78) follows the same two-show format, as does sister event Morden Park on the Saturday. Harrow's display (7 November, £15.45) offers a VIP ticket at £41.95 with front-row viewing, a meal and a ride token thrown in.
For a more traditional feel, Barnes Sports Club (7 November) centres on an actual bonfire, mulled wine, barbecue burgers and a live band — tickets go on sale 5 October. Richmond gets the ball rolling early on Sunday 1 November (adults £10.50, grandstand £17.50), making it a handy half-term option before the main weekend.
If you're visiting London in early November, these events are a cheap, atmospheric evening out — most cost less than a round of drinks in the city centre and pair well with a daytime stroll around the host park or neighbourhood. Book ahead: the popular displays sell out.
