Tonbridge Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Tonbridge poster

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

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

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual celebration.

Why do people love this event so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

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

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

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

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring back Catholicism to the rightful place.

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to assassinate the king as he was in attendance.

However, a conspiracy member ended up getting cold feet and he sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators ended up being 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 punished.

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

We ended up going to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are 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 looked very similar to what we are experiencing today.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

In preparation for the events, this is quite an interesting approach.

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 usually the best way to go here.

A proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to dress up in a costume.

There are traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

People wear 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, a celebration of independence.

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

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, you mostly have 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 great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people

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.

Common traditions are here:

  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the biggest displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the 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 just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. There is a cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • A homemade model of a man is often burned in the UK. The effigy is usually made out of paper and straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • Another tradition is called "Penny for the guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. 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.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

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

There are a lot 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.

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends.

At the end

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

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

Over the years, it has been one of those events that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it shifted towards being 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 many years to come.

Tonbridge Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Tonbridge, Tonbridge and Malling, Kent, England, TN9 2AN, United Kingdom

Organiser: Tonbridge Bonfire Night