Biggleswade Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Biggleswade poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Biggleswade?

The Bonfire Night is an annual event that has been adopted as an incredible celebration over the years.

Why do people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick overview.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of the event.

Since 1605 people have celebrated the Bonfire Night.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was thought to be against the Catholics.

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

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

There was a plan to assassinate the king because he was in attendance.

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

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

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were caught and punished.

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

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the place.

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

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

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

Bonfire Night attractions

There are 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 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 will be able to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Common traditions are here:

  • Some of the biggest cities in the country have firework displays. But in general you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. This effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Another interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People wear 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 tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

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

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

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even though you don't have to dress up.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

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

There are many different foods associated with this event.

In fact, things like the jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee or the toffee apples are widely associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

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

Bottom line

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

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some great foods.

Over the years, it has impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years the event has become 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 years and years to come.

Biggleswade Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Biggleswade Bonfire Night