Surbiton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Surbiton poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Surbiton?

An annual event over the years, the Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations.

What does it mean to people and why do they love them so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick rundown.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that he wanted to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating the night ever since.

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

The king was present and the plan was to kill him.

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

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

The Parliament shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

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

Which lead us to the Bonfire Night.

There are lots of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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 because they wanted to make it more fun.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

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

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

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

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

There are many different foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato is one 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.

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

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on Bonfire Night.

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are many great attractions and events in the UK.

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

You will get to see 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:

  • Some of the largest firework displays can be found in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is in reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for the fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are just meant to be 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 foil with marshmallows or sausages. There is a parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.

Summing up

A staple event over the years, Bonfire Night continues every year.

It’s a great opportunity for people to reconnect, celebrate and also enjoy some amazing foods.

Over the years it has impressed many people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

Surbiton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Surbiton, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London, Greater London, England, KT6 4LQ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Surbiton Bonfire Night