Balerno Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Balerno poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Balerno?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has evolved into an annual event.

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

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I while also attempting to blow up the parliament in the UK.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating the night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that he was against the catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

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

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to kill him during the process.

However, a conspiracy member ended up getting cold feet and he sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful for.

We traveled to the Bonfire Night.

Throughout the UK, there are Bonfire Night activities.

Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

The fireworks manufacturers rebranded the celebration at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

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

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events are culminating with a firework display and a very large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires and local events where food and drinks are shared with the community.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community event where everyone has a good time, and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will get to see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup for them. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had in order to blow up the parliament building.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of paper and straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are only part of the celebration.

There are many foods associated with the event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November, and eaten throughout the country.

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

What should you wear at the event?

Depending on where they live, people tend to dress up in different costumes during Bonfire Night.

It is an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time for people to show off their winter clothes.

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

A proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to wear a costume.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues as a staple event.

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

Over the years, it's one of those events that has impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it has shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

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

Balerno Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Balerno, City of Edinburgh, Alba / Scotland, United Kingdom

Organiser: Balerno Bonfire Night