Newmarket Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Newmarket poster

Every year in Newmarket, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Suffolk we gather around the bonfire.

What information is important to know about Newmarket's Bonfire Night?

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

Why do people love these festivals so much?

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

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, as well as blowing up the parliament.

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

There was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The plan was to kill the king while he was there.

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

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

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful.

We traveled to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community event over the years.

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

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

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are many foods associated with this event.

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

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

Some families eat soups too and share them with friends or family members.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

It is quite interesting that this is in preparation for the events.

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

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even though you don't have to dress up.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people because 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. Many people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. There are bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. In some regions you can even 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 a model of a man and burn it. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had in order to blow up the Parliament building.

Traditions related to the night of bonfires.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes on 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, there is a firework display and a large bonfire.

Summing up

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a yearly event.

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

Over the years, it has been one of those events that impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

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

Newmarket Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Newmarket, West Suffolk, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Newmarket Bonfire Night