Canterbury Bonfire Night 2022

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

What should you know about Canterbury's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event and is one of those incredible festivities.

But what does it mean to people and why do they love them so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity here.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, and also the attempt to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605, and people have been celebrating the Bonfire Night ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to the rightful place.

These two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

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

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody after learning 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 in honor of being thankful for it.

Which eventually lead us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that it's origins are sinister.

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to its focus on having fun.

The 20th century event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

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

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

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing happening.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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 have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well.

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

What should you wear at the event?

People tend to dress up in various costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

It is quite an interesting approach that is being prepared for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great place for 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 dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that helps you protect yourself against the cold is more than welcome.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing 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 there are also smaller events.

It has become a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will also be able to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

There are some traditions that are common:

• In the UK, it is very common for people to burn a homemade model of a man. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.
• Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying 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 did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
• There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his group had to blow up the Parliament building.
• The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country.
• The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some cooks 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. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

People have been impressed by it over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it shifted towards being 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 many years to come.

Canterbury Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Canterbury, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Canterbury Bonfire Night