Penicuik Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Penicuik poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Penicuik?

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What is it that makes people love these festivities so much?

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

What is a common association with 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 celebrated Bonfire 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 the rightful place.

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

The plan was to assassinate the king while he was in attendance.

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

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

The Parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light bonfires on the 5th of November to be thankful for.

We ended up going to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

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

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are currently experiencing.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only things happening.

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

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

These are eaten throughout 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 their soups with friends and family.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

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

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

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 watch 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 not just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some cooks wrap potatoes in a foil and cook them with marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very delicious.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man, similar to a scarecrow, and burn it. This effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

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

Most people like to show off their winter clothes during the Bonfire Night.

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, because you don't have to dress up in a costume.

There are many traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

During Bonfire Night, people parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers.

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.

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

At the end

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

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

It has impressed many people over the years.

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

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

Penicuik Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Penicuik, Midlothian, Alba / Scotland, EH26 8LE, United Kingdom

Organiser: Penicuik Bonfire Night