South Bank Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in South Bank poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in South Bank?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for a long time.

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

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

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate.

In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the 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 both Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

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

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

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody after 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 honor of being thankful.

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

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

The event looked similar as the 20th century progressed.

There are traditions 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 Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, in a safe manner.

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

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

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

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

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

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

There are attractions during the night.

The UK has a lot of amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.

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.

However, you will also get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find amazing firework displays.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is in reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows and sausages. People eat a traditional parking cake on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • An effigy, a homemade model of a man, is very common in the UK. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying 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.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are lots of things associated with this event.

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

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with other family members.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to relax and enjoy some great food.

It is one of the events that have impressed people over the years.

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.

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

South Bank Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Low South Bank, Settle, Craven, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: South Bank Bonfire Night