Plymouth Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Plymouth poster

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

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

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years.

Why do people love these celebrations?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because of the Bonfire Night celebrations.

The Bonfire Night was celebrated in 1605 and people have been celebrating ever since.

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

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

A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was present, so the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for, and therefore the tradition to light up bonfires.

We ended up going to the Bonfire Night.

In places like Devon, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

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.

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

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

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

It is important to note that some families share soups with friends or family members.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

This approach is quite interesting and is in preparation for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is a good 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.

Traditions are associated with 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 the band that tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence but in a safe manner.

The majority of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

There are attractions during the night.

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

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

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.

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 traditions that exist:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy" Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some parts of the country you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had in order to blow up the Parliament building.
  • 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. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.

Bottom line

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

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

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

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved over the years into 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!

Plymouth Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Woodside Animal Sanctury, Plymouth, Boringdon Hill, Sparkwell, Plymouth, Devon, England, PL7 5ED, United Kingdom

Organiser: Plymouth Bonfire Night