New Cross Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in New Cross poster

Every year in New Cross, 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 the Bonfire Night in New Cross?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

So 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 this quick list.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament, which is why Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK.

The Bonfire Night was celebrated in 1605 and has been celebrated ever since.

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

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

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to assassinate him.

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

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

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in honor of being thankful for it.

We went to the Bonfire Night because of this.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in many places.

The origins of the event are sinister, but over the years it has become a community event.

The fireworks manufacturers rebranded the celebration at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

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

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared for the events.

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

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

If you want to protect yourself against the cold weather, a proper outfit is more than welcome.

There are attractions during the night.

There are many attractions and events in the UK.

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

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 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.

There are some common traditions:

  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. 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.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to see the fireworks. It's possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • A tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. Even in rural areas, you are likely to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing going on.

There are many foods associated with the event.

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

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

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

Summing up

A staple event over the years, Bonfire Night continues every year.

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

Over the years, it is one of those events that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years the event has become a more community-friendly event.

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

New Cross Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: New Cross, New Cross Road, New Cross, London Borough of Lewisham, London, Greater London, England, SE14 6TY, United Kingdom

Organiser: New Cross Bonfire Night