Remember remember the fifth of November – although finding the best places for bonfire night in London with kids is more about fireworks and toasted marshmallows than Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder treason and plot these days.
And for families who missed the chance to light up the dark at some of London’s best bonfire events last year, 2021’s events are starting to be announced.
From the biggest bonfire night events, with a whole string of family-friendly extras, to the chance to ooh and aaah at the best fireworks in London with kids, I’ve listed some of the capital’s unmissable events for 2021.
There are, of course, smaller local bonfire night celebrations which aren’t listed and some events still aren’t confirmed either way – I’ll be updating this post but as things are still uncertain for November 2021, always check directly too.
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival
Ally Pally has long been one of the best places for bonfire night in London, attracting people from all across the city and even from outside the capital.
With a beautiful view of the city skyline as its backdrop, the large North London Bonfire Night event features huge bonfires, fairground rides, an ice rink, pop-up cinema, live music and performances, delicious street food and even a German beer festival for adults.
For more of the best ice rinks in London with kids, check out my top picks
And that’s all topped off with what has to be one of the most dazzling fireworks displays in London.
The fun-filled festival is open to people of all ages – tickets do need to be booked in advance as the event is always extremely popular.
There is some parking available at Alexandra Palace, however, this usually gets full early in the night so the easiest way to arrive at the event is by taking the train to Alexandra Palace Station or tube to Wood Green Station (Piccadilly Line).
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Saturday November 6, 4-10pm
Ticket price: Adult from £10.50, Child 11-15 from £6.50, Child under 10 £1. Click here to book.
Battersea Park Fireworks
Another of the best bonfire night events in London with kids can be found on the south bank of the River Thames in beautiful Battersea Park.
A London staple for years, the Battersea Park fireworks are returning for 2021 with the usual Saturday night festivities, including a huge bonfire, street food, drinks stalls, music and an amazing firework display that lasts at least 20 minutes.
But for the first time this year, the park will also feature a second family-friendly night on Sunday, with an earlier firework display and lots of child-friendly programming.
Watch out for the Visual Volcano lighting installation, reimagining the class bonfire – plus a singalong to some family favourites before the fireworks too.
Battersea Park can be reached by jumping on the overground to Battersea Park Station or on the new branch of the northern line (open Sept 2021) to Battersea Power Station.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th November
Ticket Price: Tickets cost £12.10, kids aged 10 and under are free. Click here to book.
Wimbledon Park Fireworks
If you’re looking for a fireworks display in London to watch with little ones who need to be home in time for bedtime, head down to Wimbledon Park in south west London.
Open from 5pm, the event includes a first fireworks display at 6:45pm suitable for younger children, followed by the main show at 8:30pm.
There’s also a street food village to grab dinner and a children’s funfair for the whole family to enjoy before the displays.
And if you can’t make the Friday event in Wimbledon, the whole thing runs again on Saturday night in nearby Morden Park.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Friday November 5, 5-10pm
Ticket Price: Adult from £8.56, child aged five to 15 from £6.42, child under four free, Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children from £26.75. Click here to book tickets.
Blackheath Fireworks
** EDIT: THE 2021 EVENT WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE** Lasting an impressive 30 minutes, Blackheath is one of the longest firework displays in London. And the best part? It’s one of the last displays in London that is still completely free to attend.
The family-friendly bonfire night event in south London runs throughout the afternoon and evening, with fairground rides, live entertainment and plenty of food and drink stalls.
You can also wander over to neighbouring Greenwich Park and enjoy the views over the River Thames and Canary Wharf. With all of this and more, there’s enough to do with kids to enjoy a full day out before the free display starts at 8pm.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Cancelled for 2021
Ticket Price: Free
Southwark Fireworks
** EDIT: THE 2021 EVENT WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE** For one of the most central firework displays in London, Southwark’s bonfire night event takes place along the south bank of the Thames with great views back over the river.
The annual event draws in families from across the city, with a children’s funfair, food stalls serving traditional bonfire night treats, bars selling warming drinks for both kids and adults (hot toddy anyone?) and a magical firework display set to music.
The best way to reach Southwark Park for the bonfire night event is from Bermondsey Station (Jubilee Line). Gates shut at 6:30pm for the display at 8pm.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Cancelled for 2021
Ticket Price: Free for Southwark residents (you still need to reserve your tickets). Non-residents – TBC
Light Up the Night at Wembley Park
Combining both bonfire night and Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, into one mesmerising event, Wembley’s Light Up the Night is always a huge hit with families.
Kids will love the carnival-style parade, with hundreds of beautiful lanterns and colourful decorations made by locals.
There’s also delicious street food stalls and a program of family entertainment and live performances to keep you entertained until the fireworks start at 7pm.
The exciting event takes place all across Wembley Park and is completely free to attend. It can be reached from Wembley Park and Wembley Central Stations.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
There is a separate Wembley and Harrow fireworks display taking place on November 6, 2021 – free from 12-3pm, ticketed afterwards with fireworks from around 7.45pm, there’s also a funfair, world food and other family activities. Click here for more information
Crystal Palace Fireworks Spectacular
The annual Crystal Palace Fireworks Spectacular is another of London’s best bonfire night events that’s guaranteed to be a big hit with the whole family.
The huge south London event features more activities on the night than anywhere else in London, with loads of the capital’s best street food vendors, several licenced bars, multiple entertainment tents with live music, DJs and comedians.
There’s also a variety of funfair rides suitable for kids and adults, if you’re visiting with younger kids. The night concludes with a dazzling fireworks display with lasers and music.
The event takes place in Crystal Palace Park, which is just a short walk from Crystal Palace Station or Penge West Station (London Overground).
2021 Bonfire Night Event: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Lightopia will also be taking place at Crystal Palace in 2021, one of the best illuminated trails in London with kids
Victoria Park/Tower Hamlets Fireworks
** EDIT: THE 2021 EVENT WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE** East Londoners can head to Victoria Park in South Hackney for the annual Tower Hamlets firework display and bonfire night festivities.
Each year, the display has a different theme dedicated to a historical event, literary character or famous person.
Past themes have included The Great Fire of London, Frankenstein and in 2019 the event was space themed in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landings.
Completely free to attend, the un-ticketed event also has plenty of food and drink stalls for you to grab a hot chocolate and bite to eat before watching the display.
The Victoria Park bonfire night event may lack the funfair and glitzy entertainment for younger kids that many other displays offer, but older children will certainly appreciate the clever themed display that illuminates the east London sky.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Not taking place in 2021
Ticket Price: TBC
Richmond Fireworks
Head to Richmond Athletic Ground and you can get your fireworks set to music – there’s a theme every year, with a focus on ‘Fire’ for 2021.
With a funfair and dance performance to keep you entertained while you wait for the main show, the fireworks kick off at 7pm and light up the west London sky until 7.30pm.
There’s everything from crepes to mulled wine at the food stalls too, which stay open until 9pm if you’re planning a later night out with older kids.
As a bonus, it’s only around five minutes walk from Richmond Station (tube & overground) if you want to avoid driving – which is advisable, parking costs £15 on the day, first come first served but is limited (£5 for Blue Badge holders).
Tickets must be prebooked, and there will be a bag search – no food/drink or fireworks (including sparklers) can be brought in.
2021 Bonfire Night Event: Sunday November 7, 4.30-11pm. Last entry 6.30pm
Ticket Price: Adult tickets cost from £10.78 (including booking fee), kids aged 5-15 from £6.47, while under-fives go free. There are also seated Grandstand tickets available for £16.18 (for adults or kids, under-fives are free but need to sit on an adult’s kneee). Click here to book tickets.
PIN FOR LATER: BONFIRE NIGHT IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Images courtesy Depositphotos
