Wimbledon Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Wimbledon poster

Every year in Wimbledon, 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 Wimbledon?

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

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

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

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

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 1605 this happened and people have celebrated the night ever since.

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

Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

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

A conspiracy member got cold feet and wrote a letter to the parliament.

Once they learned about the plan, Fawkes and Catesby as well as the other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught.

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

It eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because the focus was on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked similar to what we are currently experiencing.

What are you going to wear to the events?

It's interesting that people tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

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 clothing.

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

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

The Bonfire Night is associated with traditions.

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

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.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but smaller events also take place.

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 get to enjoy some great firework displays.

Some traditions are common:

  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. The plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building are a nod to this.
  • Another tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some areas you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country have firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of the bonfire. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and burn it. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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

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

In the end

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

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

Over the years, it is 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 has evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

Wimbledon Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Wimbledon, London, Greater London, England, SW19 7NL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Wimbledon Bonfire Night