Worthing Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Worthing poster

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

What should you know about Worthing's bonfire night?

Every year, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

Why do people love this event so much?

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?

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

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

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that he was seen as being against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who wanted an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up a building.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him.

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

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

The Parliament stated that the conspirators were caught and punished.

Also, the Parliament chose to declare the 5th of November as a day to be thankful for, and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

It led us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays there are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are currently experiencing.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night

This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite an interesting approach.

The Bonfire Night is a good time 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 the right way to go here.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't wear a costume.

There are many traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

This is a clear nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

Which foods are popular during the night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebration of the night.

There are many things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and toffee apples are all associated with the Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well.

Some families eat soup and share it with friends and family.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

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

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events with food and drinks being shared with the community.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a good time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will be able to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Some traditions are common:

  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are just a symbol of the failed complot. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it’s very tasty.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • "Penny for the guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • There are firework displays all over the country with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.

Conclusion

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

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

The event has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it has evolved into 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.

Worthing Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Worthing, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Worthing Bonfire Night