Barnet Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Barnet poster

Every year in Barnet, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Greater London we gather around the bonfire.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Barnet?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event because of it's incredible festivities.

Why do people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a 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, and also to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

There was a lot of anger towards 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 the rightful place.

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was for the king to be assassinated during the process.

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

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament said that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it was a day to be thankful for.

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

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 because the focus was on having fun.

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

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas and treacle toffee are just some of the things associated with the 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 as well.

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

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks shared with the community.

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

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

There are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the eve of Bonfire Night. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. All of the effigy is stuffed within old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • The "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels can be carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

It's interesting that people tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

This approach is quite interesting, and it is in preparation for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here, and certainly something to keep in mind.

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

Conclusion

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

It is a great time for people to celebrate and eat amazing food.

It is one of the events that has impressed people over the years.

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

The most important aspects of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for a long time.

Barnet Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Chipping Barnet, London, Greater London, England, EN5 5SB, United Kingdom

Organiser: Barnet Bonfire Night