Haggerston Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Haggerston poster

Every year in Haggerston, 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 Haggerston's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for a long time.

But what does it signify and why do people love these festivities so much?

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

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also trying 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 many thought he was 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.

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

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

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

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement regarding the situation, shared the fact that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for, and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

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 its origins are sinister in nature.

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

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

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

What should you wear to the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting and is in preparation for the events.

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

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 if you don't have to wear a costume.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

There are lots of things associated with this 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 share their soups with friends and other family members.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community and smaller events.

It has 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 can also enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

These are some traditions that are common:

  • 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 cook soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of the bonfire. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • 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 paper or straw, and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The biggest cities in the country 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.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is a tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money 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.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is in reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

In the end

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

It is a great time for people to get together and enjoy some food.

The event has impressed many people over the years.

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 over the years.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

Haggerston Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Haggerston, Lee Street, De Beauvoir Town, Haggerston, London Borough of Hackney, London, Greater London, England, E8 4DY, United Kingdom

Organiser: Haggerston Bonfire Night