Wigton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Wigton poster

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

What should you know about Wigton's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event, one of those incredible festivities and celebrations.

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

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night here.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I and also blow up the parliament in the UK.

In 1605 this happened and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was thought to be against the Catholics.

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

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

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

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

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody here.

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 therefore the tradition to light bonfires.

After that, we went to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in a number of locations.

Over the years it has become a community-focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night" because of the focus on having fun.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

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

The Bonfire Night is a great place for 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 against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

It's clear that this is a nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

You are going to find a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

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

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

There are some traditions that are common:

  • During the Bonfire Night processions there is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.
  • The tradition called "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some 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 planning to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some people cook potatoes in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat during Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle in this cake.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper and straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities. There are bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration.

There are many 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 even have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

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

Bottom line

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event, and it continues every year.

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

Over the years it has impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became 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 years and years to come.

Wigton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Wigton, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Wigton Bonfire Night