Barkingside Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Barkingside poster

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

What should you know about Barkingside's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

Why do people love this event so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by following 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.

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 racist against the Catholics.

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

A group of supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The plan was to kill the king while he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament but was cold feet.

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

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

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for and therefore the tradition of lighting up bonfires.

Which eventually lead us to the Bonfire Night.

There are lots of Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its sinister beginnings.

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because of the focus on having fun.

The event of the 20th century was more similar to what we are seeing today.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, although smaller events also take place.

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

You can also enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires are also used to cook all kinds of food, which is why they are not just a symbol of the failed complot. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Nights. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle is very tasty.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.
  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money to buy fireworks. In some parts of the world, 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 stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato is one of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or family members.

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers at Bonfire Night.

It is clear 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 way.

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

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in various costumes.

It is an interesting approach in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great opportunity for most people to show off their winter clothing.

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

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

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.

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

The event has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event.

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

Barkingside Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Barkingside, Station Road, Barkingside, London Borough of Redbridge, London, Greater London, England, IG6 1NA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Barkingside Bonfire Night