Southgate Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Southgate poster

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

What should you know about Southgate's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

Why do people love these events?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament in order to celebrate the failure of the event.

Since 1605 people have celebrated the Bonfire Night.

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 it's rightful place.

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

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to kill him during the process.

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

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

The parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

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

Which eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its origins being sinister.

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

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

It has become a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

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

There are some traditions that are common:

  • "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 the fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some parts of the country, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not just a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • 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 made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing going on during the night.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

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

What should you wear?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

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

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

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers during 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, but in a safe manner.

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

Bottom line

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.

One of the things that have impressed people over the years is the event.

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

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

Southgate Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Southgate, London Borough of Enfield, London, Greater London, England, N14 6NJ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Southgate Bonfire Night