Harrow Weald Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Harrow Weald poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Harrow Weald?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years because of it's incredible festivities.

Why do people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick overview.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I while also attempting to blow up the parliament in the UK.

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

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

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up a building.

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

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

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

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and 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 therefore the tradition to light bonfires.

It eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are lots of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night because the focus was on having fun.

The event looked similar as the 20th century progressed.

Traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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

It is clear 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 way.

The majority of the time, there is a firework display and a large bonfire.

What should you wear to the event?

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

It is quite interesting that this is being prepared for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is the right way to go.

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.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are many things associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

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

Bonfire Night attractions

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night 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 get to see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some common traditions:

  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.
  • The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • During the processions of Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues as a staple event.

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

The event has impressed people 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 over the years.

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

Harrow Weald Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Harrow Weald, London Borough of Harrow, London, Greater London, England, HA3 6EL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Harrow Weald Bonfire Night