Hastings Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Hastings poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Hastings?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for many years.

Why do people enjoy these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick article.

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 the night ever since.

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

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

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

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

The conspiracy member got cold feet and sent a letter to the parliament.

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

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

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

We decided to attend the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the year.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister in nature.

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

It is important to note that some families share soups with friends or family members.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

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.

It has become a community-focused event for a lot of people because 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 fireworks for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions:

  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the biggest displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team made to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Another interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money to buy fireworks. In some areas, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is common for people in the UK to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed into old clothes.
  • The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all sorts of food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite an interesting approach.

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

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

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather.

Conclusion

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

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

It’s certainly one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there's no denying that it's become 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.

Hastings Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Hastings, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Hastings Bonfire Night