Bonfire Night in London: The best firework displays

The Alexandra Palace Fireworks and Drone Festival (as it’s now called) is easily one of the biggest, baddest displays in town. It sends hundreds of drones and fireworks into the air over north London, making it a spectacular place to ring in Bonfire Night. But it’s not just what’s going on in the sky that’s the attraction here (although, with Ally Pally’s panoramic view of London, it is a fairly big pull).

Entertainment at Alexandra Palace Fireworks

There’s plenty more to see and do besides watching the fireworks and drones. This year, the fun is split across two dates: an adult-centric party night on Saturday, and then a family day on Sunday where under-10s go free.

For the Saturday, there's a music line-up headlined by special guests Eats Everything, plus a roaring bonfire, ice skating, and funfair rides on offer. There’s also the UK’s largest German beer festival in the Great Hall, where you’ll also find oompah bands and a Queen tribute act.

On Sunday, families will find a quieter firework and drone display at the earlier time of 6pm, plus entertainment including marshmallow-toasting on a firepit, Junior Jungle Kids Rave, and BARRIOKE, with Shaun Williamson, star of Eastenders.

Food and drink at Alexandra Palace Fireworks

Spectators have plenty of options when it comes to staying fed and watered, with a more than 35 of London’s best street food traders, plus craft beer bars and cocktails available at the alfresco StrEATlife Village, while beer festival ticketholders can sink huge steins of pilsner while sampling some elite drunk food; think BBQ, burgers and bratwurst galore.

What time do Alexandra Palace Fireworks start?

The fireworks will begin at 8pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. Gates open several hours earlier, at 4pm, to allow visitors to check out the entertainment beforehand. The site closes at 10.30pm on Saturday, and 8.30pm on Sunday.

Tickets and prices

Tickets can be purchased here, and are priced at £10.50-£19.50 for advance purchase. Add-on tickets for activities like ice skating, the ice disco and the bier festival can also be purchased separately.

Find more fireworks displays in London

Head to Wandsworth's beautiful Battersea Park and you'll find two massive displays to enjoy by the banks of the Thames: Saturday November 7 is the regular fireworks and bonfire event, while Sunday November 8 is more family-friendly, with activities for kids and fewer nerve-jangling explosions. This is one of the city's biggest fireworks extravaganzas, with the capacity for 50,000 spectators a night, but even so, tickets shift fast. Book early to make sure you're there.  

Hip hip hooray, Blackheath's annual fireworks display is back for a second time, after a big relaunch last year. Slammin Events (the company behind Ally Pally's massive annual display) have brought this new, ticketed fireworks events to southeast London, and this year it's going to be even larger, with a capacity of 40,000 (up from 30,000 last year), more food stalls, and a bigger line-up of entertainment. 

As well as a full fireworks display, there's an array of bells and whistles included in the £16 ticket price. Garage stars DJ Luck and MC Neat will be in the Big Top tent alongside club legend Brandon Block. Massaoke (that’s mass karaoke) is back for a second year, as is the electrifying Lords of Lightning illuminations. There’ll also be a lineup of comedians bringing the laughs inside the Big Belly Comedy Club. And new for 2026, the event is launching the ‘People’s Stage’, which will host performances from local talent. 

Joining the festival atmosphere are independent food and drink stalls serving up refreshments. And there's a fairground with dodgems, hooplas and other exhilarating ways to fritter away your cash.

Find more fireworks displays in London

This small, family-focused fireworks event in Camden’s Coram Fields proves its kid-friendly credentials by taking place a lot earlier than your average display, starting at 3.30pm with performances from local youth groups alongside fun fair rides and food stalls, with around 20 minutes of banks and sparks lifting off at 6pm. As always, adults need to be accompanying a child for access to the venue, and as one of the few free entry fireworks displays in the city it gets busy from early on, so visitors are advised to get down early. Donations are very much encouraged if you can spare the cash for a good cause. 

The heat isn’t just up in the air at the Stow Firework Spectacular – it’s also coming out of people’s mouths. The three night bonanza at Walthamstow Cricket, Tennis & Squash Club has four rounds of fire performers for you to marvel at on each evening. In between, you’ll get what you came for, too, with two fireworks displays – one twilight show designed for kids and those with sensory needs, at 6pm, and another ‘full effect’ display at 8pm. Elsewhere, there’s a funfair, games, street food and a licensed bar.