Peterborough Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Peterborough poster

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

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

Every year, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

Why do people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity by reading this quick rundown.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I and also to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated bonfires ever since.

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

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

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

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

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it is a day to be thankful.

We eventually headed to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

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

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

The event of the 20th century was more similar to what we are seeing today.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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

It is clear 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 end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

There are attractions during the night.

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

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

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a good time, and 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.

Here are some common traditions:

  • There is a tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the eve of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the 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 for the event?

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

It is quite an interesting approach that is being prepared for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is the right way to go here, and something to keep in mind.

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

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are many foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all 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 as well.

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or other family members.

Summing up

Over time, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

People have been impressed by it 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.

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

Peterborough Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Peterborough Bonfire Night