Bromley Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Bromley poster

Every year in Bromley, 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 Bromley's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

Why do people love these festivities?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because of the Bonfire Night celebrations.

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

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 Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to the rightful place.

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

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

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after he got cold feet.

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

The Parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished, in a public statement.

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

We went to the Bonfire Night due to this.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community focused event over the years.

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

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

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

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

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

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

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

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

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

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 usually the correct way to go here.

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

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 with food and drinks being shared with the community.

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.

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:

  • The bonfires are supposed 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 to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle is very tasty.
  • There 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 in order to blow up the Parliament building.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities in the country. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find incredible firework displays.
  • The tradition called "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and ask for money in order to buy fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

Traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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

The failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament is a clear nod to this.

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

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night continues to be a staple event.

It’s a great opportunity for people to reconnect, celebrate and also enjoy some amazing foods.

It is one of those events that have impressed people in the past.

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

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

Bromley Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Bromley, London, Greater London, England, BR1 1EY, United Kingdom

Organiser: Bromley Bonfire Night