Golders Green Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Golders Green poster

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

What information is important to know about Golders Green's Bonfire Night?

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

Why do people love this event so much?

Here’s a quick roundup to help you get up to speed with the Bonfire Night, its starting point and the reasons behind its amazing popularity.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that he wanted to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact he was against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who wanted an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king while he was there.

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

The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody here after they learned about it.

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

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

We went to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK nowadays.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that it is sinister in nature.

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

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are experiencing today.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

It is an interesting approach in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time for most 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.

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.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers at 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.

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

Bonfire Night attractions

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do in the UK.

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

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community 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 pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions:

  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. People eat a traditional cake called the parking cake on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake, and it is very tasty.
  • Some of the largest firework displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • "Penny for the guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and ask for money in order to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

There are a lot of foods associated with the event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with friends.

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night continues, and has become a staple event.

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

Over the years it has been one of those events that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

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.

Golders Green Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Golders Green, London Borough of Barnet, London, Greater London, England, NW11 7NX, United Kingdom

Organiser: Golders Green Bonfire Night