Highgate Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Highgate poster

Every year in Highgate, 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 Highgate's bonfire night?

Over the years the Bonfire Night has become an annual event.

What does it mean to people and why do they love them so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

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

There was a plan to assassinate the king because he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but he was cold feet.

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

The Parliament shared with the public 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.

We went to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in 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 at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers because it was focused on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked a lot like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing going on during the night.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, and treacle toffee 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.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes 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 are culminating with a firework display and a very large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

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

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.

With some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember, you will also get to enjoy some great firework displays.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The biggest cities in the country have the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Nights. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is quite interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some 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 preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are not meant just to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. 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 make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made from paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes.

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

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

With that being said, the Bonfire Night is a great opportunity for most people to show off their winter wardrobe.

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 helps you protect yourself against the cold weather is more than welcome.

In the end

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

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

It is one of those events that have impressed people in the past.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into 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.

Highgate Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Highgate, London Borough of Haringey, London, Greater London, England, N6 4AF, United Kingdom

Organiser: Highgate Bonfire Night