Dover Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Dover poster

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

What information is important to know about Dover'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 in a few minutes.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, as well as blowing up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the Bonfire Night ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being intolerant against the Catholics.

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

The two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance so the plan was to kill him.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament, but got cold feet.

The conspirators were taken into custody when they learned of the plan.

The Parliament shared with the public that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided that the 5th of November would be a day to be thankful for.

We went to the Bonfire Night due to that.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK in locations like Kent.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that its 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.

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

What should you wear to the event?

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

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

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

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 protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

The UK has a lot of amazing attractions and events.

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

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

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

Some traditions are common:

  • "Penny for the Guy" is one of the more interesting traditions. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. There are kids that blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his group had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not only 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 people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The country's biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebration of the night.

There are many foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are some of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends or family members.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

There is a firework display and a large bonfire at most of the time.

At the end

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and eat amazing foods.

The event has impressed many people over the years.

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

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

Dover Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Dover, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Dover Bonfire Night