Guy Fawkes Night: Understanding the Tradition of Fireworks and Bonfires

Every year on November 5th, the skies of England, Scotland, and Wales come alive with fireworks as people celebrate Guy Fawkes Night with excitement and revelry.

Known as Fireworks Night or Bonfire Night, this cherished autumn event has been a part of British tradition for over 400 years.

In schools across England, children memorize the famous nursery rhyme “Remember, remember / The fifth of November / Gunpowder, treason, and plot.” Yet, for many outside the UK, the story behind this unique celebration might seem shrouded in mystery.

Continue reading to discover the story of Guy Fawkes and learn how the November 5th festivities have evolved throughout the centuries.

Who was Guy Fawkes?

Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, was one of the men apprehended for his role in the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London on November 5, 1605. Fawkes and his Catholic co-conspirators hoped their violent act would ignite a Catholic uprising in Protestant England.

Until the reign of Tudor King Henry VIII, England was a Catholic nation. However, after Henry founded the Church of England, Catholics were forced to practice their religion in secrecy.

Though Guy Fawkes became the iconic figure associated with Bonfire Night, it was Robert Catesby who was the mastermind behind the Gunpowder Plot. Fawkes, an expert in explosives, was the one caught beneath the Houses of Parliament next to the barrels of gunpowder, securing his infamous reputation.

Catesby, Fawkes, and their fellow conspirators were eventually captured, imprisoned in the Tower of London, and subjected to torture before being executed publicly.

After the plot was foiled, Londoners celebrated by lighting bonfires, and King James I passed a law making November 5th a national day of remembrance.

Historian James Sharpe, professor emeritus at the University of York, explains that when news broke that the plot had been thwarted, people spontaneously lit bonfires in celebration. This tradition has persisted ever since, he tells Dinogo Travel.

Over time, people began burning effigies of the Pope on bonfires each November 5th. Eventually, these effigies were replaced with those of Guy Fawkes himself.

James Sharpe, author of “Remember, Remember: A Cultural History of Guy Fawkes Day,” argues that the law mandating a thanksgiving church service played a major role in ensuring the continued celebrations over the centuries.

Sharpe notes that there are historical accounts of public feasts and later the introduction of fireworks to the festivities.

By the late 19th century, the religious significance of November 5th began to fade, and the law that made it a day of national remembrance was eventually repealed.

Even so, the tradition of bonfires and celebrations lived on. It became a familiar sight to see children wandering the streets of England with their homemade Guy Fawkes effigies, knocking on doors to ask for a 'penny for the guy,' a Bonfire Night version of trick-or-treating.

What is Guy Fawkes Night like today?

Britain is now a secular, multicultural society, making it surprising that a celebration once deeply rooted in anti-Catholic sentiment has persisted.

Historian Ronald Hutton, professor of history and author of 'The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain,' tells Dinogo Travel that the continued popularity of Guy Fawkes Night is largely due to its association with fire, light, and the time of year when it takes place.

While Guy Fawkes Night was once 'a distinctly nationalistic, Protestant festival with a clear animosity towards Roman Catholicism,' Hutton notes that today it 'no longer carries any religious implications.'

Instead, Hutton believes that November 5th has evolved into 'a grand, popular, and secular celebration during a time of year when people really need a pick-me-up.'

Today, fireworks displays on November 5th are more common than bonfires. While some still set off fireworks in their backyards, many people attend community events in parks and public spaces. Hutton explains that this shift happened in the latter half of the 20th century as commercial fireworks became more widely available.

This change coincided with the decline of effigy-burning, except for a few notable instances. According to Hutton, 'Compared to the thrill of fireworks, the somewhat dubious enjoyment of burning effigies lost its appeal.'

As a result, kids no longer go door-to-door asking for a 'penny for the guy.'

Despite the decline in effigy-burning, Guy Fawkes remains one of the UK’s most famous historical figures. His image has also inspired masks worn by anti-establishment protestors worldwide.

Lewes Bonfire Night Festivities

While many British towns and cities no longer burn effigies during their celebrations, the town of Lewes in southern England continues this tradition as a notable exception.

On November 5th (or November 4th if the 5th falls on a Sunday), torch-lit processions wind through the historic streets of Lewes, with thousands of participants, many in costumes. The festivities culminate in enormous bonfires with towering effigies.

The events are organized by the six bonfire societies of Lewes. Historian Ronald Hutton suggests that the enduring presence of these societies has been key to preserving Lewes' bonfire traditions.

'These are massive events,' Hutton explains. 'They are coordinated by the various bonfire societies working together, and the preparations can take months to complete.'

The fancy dress aspect of the celebrations has faced significant criticism. Until recently, some members of the Lewes Bonfire Society wore Zulu-inspired costumes and blackface. In 2017, the group pledged to end this practice.

In past years, effigies of figures such as former US President Donald Trump and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been burned in Lewes.

The town council disassociates itself from the celebrations and advises visitors to avoid Lewes on Guy Fawkes Night.

'Lewes Bonfire is a celebration for local residents only, and we kindly ask that people do not attempt to travel to the town to watch the event,' reads a statement on the Visit Lewes website. 'The streets are narrow, and the mix of dense crowds, flaming torches, and firecrackers can pose significant risks.'

The 2023 Lewes Bonfire event, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, will be live streamed.

Ottery St Mary Bonfire Night Festivities

Another small town in southern England, Ottery St Mary, is also known for its Bonfire Night celebrations. On November 5th (or the 4th if the 5th falls on a Sunday), flaming tar barrels are paraded through the streets.

Both Lewes and Ottery St Mary share a history rooted in 'rumbustious, disorderly celebrations often led by youths,' as historian Ronald Hutton describes it.

Much like Lewes, Ottery St Mary formalized its chaotic November 5th traditions in the 20th century. Instead of rolling flaming tar barrels through the streets, community members now carry them through town.

Journalist Patrick Kinsella, who attended the celebrations in 2014, described the experience for Dinogo Travel, calling the sight of a person carrying a flaming barrel, 'the maddest thing I’ve ever seen.'

Bonfire Night Food

November 5th in Britain is typically marked by a chill in the air, and over time, certain comfort foods have become closely linked with the celebrations.

Toffee apples (known as caramel apples in North America) are a popular treat during Bonfire Night across England, Wales, and Scotland. In the north of England, particularly in Yorkshire, parkin, a traditional ginger cake, is also commonly enjoyed.

In Lancashire, also in northern England, there's a custom of eating black peas – peas cooked with vinegar.

Hutton recalls grilling sausages over the bonfire during his childhood in southern England. Sharpe, who grew up in Fawkes' home county of Yorkshire, remembers Bonfire Night sausages served with 'bangers and mash,' a classic English dish.

The Rest of the UK

While Bonfire Night is mainly observed in England, there are also organized festivities in Scotland and Wales.

However, due to the holiday's historical anti-Catholic roots, it is not celebrated in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

In Ireland, bonfires are traditionally lit during Halloween, a custom that originates from the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain.

Historian James Sharpe suggests that the continued popularity of Guy Fawkes Night in England may be partly due to the long-standing tradition of fiery winter festivals at this time of year – including the ancient Samhain and the Catholic observances of All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day.

In recent years, American-style Halloween celebrations have gained traction in Britain, and now, October 31 festivities often blend into Guy Fawkes Night. Some might even argue that Halloween has overtaken Bonfire Night in terms of popularity in the UK.

However, if you happen to be in England, Scotland, or Wales on or around November 5, you're sure to catch a firework display or two.

Although Lewes advises against outside visitors, if you’re already there, historian Hutton recommends starting your Bonfire Night with a cozy meal at a local pub before heading out into the crisp night air to enjoy the fireworks. For a wilder experience, he suggests making your way to Ottery St Mary.

Sharpe, on the other hand, recommends visiting York, the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, where you'll find a variety of local celebrations. Be sure to check local websites for ticketing details, as advance booking may be required.

In London, there are a number of ticketed firework displays held throughout the city.

One of the biggest is the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival in north London, which offers a sweeping view of the city. On the south side of the Thames, Battersea Park Fireworks features an impressive show near the newly renovated Battersea Power Station, a historic landmark that once provided a fifth of London’s electricity.