Ascot Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Ascot poster

Every year in Ascot, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of Berkshire.

What information is important to know about Ascot's Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

Why do people love these festivities so much, what does it mean?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick overview.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, and also the attempt to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 people celebrated the Bonfire Night.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

Robert and Guy were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to its rightful place.

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to assassinate the king because he was in attendance.

The member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament.

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody.

The fact that the conspirators were caught and punished was shared by the Parliament in a public statement.

The 5th of November was chosen by the Parliament to be a day to be thankful for.

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK in locations like Berkshire.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that it's origins are sinister.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because it was focused on having fun.

The event of the 20th century was more similar to what we are currently experiencing.

What should you wear at the event?

People tend to dress up in various costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

This is in preparation for the events.

Most people like to show off their winter clothes during the Bonfire Night.

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with aclassical touch is usually the right way to go here.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that helps you protect yourself against the cold is more than welcome.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

You are going to find a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people, where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

With some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember, you will get to enjoy some great firework displays as well.

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for the fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • During Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are just a symbol of the failed complot. Many people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers during Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.

Most of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing happening during the night.

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are all associated with Bonfire Night.

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

Some families eat soup and share it with friends and family.

Bottom line

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event and it continues every year.

It is a great time for people to relax and enjoy some great food.

It has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became a more community-friendly event over time.

The most important parts of the event are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Ascot Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Royal Berkshire, London Road, East Lodge, Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, England, SL5 0PP, United Kingdom

Organiser: Ascot Bonfire Night