About Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night)
Remember, remember the fifth of November: Guy Fawkes Night — Bonfire Night — is Britain's night of bonfires and fireworks, marking the foiling of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament. The countdown above tracks the days until the skies light up.
Towns and villages across the UK build towering bonfires topped with a "Guy" effigy, light spectacular fireworks displays, and hand out sparklers, toffee apples and parkin cake. Lewes in Sussex throws the most famous (and rowdiest) celebration, with flaming torches and elaborate processions.
Bonfire Night always falls on November 5, but because the date is fixed rather than tied to a weekday, the biggest organised displays are often held on the nearest Friday or Saturday so crowds can gather safely after dark. The tradition stretches back more than 400 years to the very first commemorations in 1606. The countdown above tracks the days until the next November 5 — add it to your own page to know exactly when the fireworks begin.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Thursday, November 5, 2026next |
| 2027 | Friday, November 5, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, November 5, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, November 5, 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, November 5, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Bonfire Night?
November 5 every year, with big public displays often held the nearest weekend.
What does it commemorate?
The failure of the Gunpowder Plot — Guy Fawkes was caught guarding explosives beneath the House of Lords on November 5, 1605.
Where are the biggest celebrations?
Lewes in East Sussex is legendary; most UK towns hold organized bonfire and fireworks displays.
Who was Guy Fawkes?
A member of the Catholic conspirators behind the 1605 plot to blow up Parliament; he was caught guarding the gunpowder and is the figure burned in effigy each year.