firework

LOOKING to celebrate Bonfire Night with some incredible firework displays but without the price tag? Luckily there are plenty of free ones across the country.

The average November outing can cost UK families up to £30 and that’s without the hot chocolates, so here’s a handy list of the biggest celebrations that are completely free to enter.

Cambridge

For anyone near Cambridge, Midsummer Common is one of the largest free fireworks displays in the East of England.

On November 5, the evening will begin with a live DJ at 6pm – then to keep everyone entertained, there will be theatrical walkabout acts through the crowds.

These include giant caribou puppets and stilt walking jellyfish.

There will be food vendors on-site as well from 6pm until late.

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The firework ‘extravaganza’ will begin at 7pm. The event is completely free, but donations are encouraged.

Manchester

In Manchester, there are three free fireworks night celebrations hosted by the City Council all taking place on November 7 this year.

These will be at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park.

Each event will open at 3pm followed by interactive storytelling sessions for children.

At all the sites will be two lots of fireworks, the first will be reduced noise fireworks at 5pm.

There will be a lantern parade at 7pm and around the site is a food and drink village, family-friendly entertainment and activities as well as funfair rides.

The second firework display will be at 8pm set to music.

Watford

Hertfordshire’s biggest display is the Cassiobury Park Fireworks in Watford on November 7.

It kicks off at 6pm with entertainment on the main stage by Vibe 107.6FM followed by a local band.

Dotted about will be food and drink outlets along with activities for kids including bungee trampolines and a bouncy slide.

The fireworks display will start at 7.30pm.

Plymouth

For anyone in the south west, Plymouth will hold a large Bonfire Night celebration on November 5.

It’s popular with around 20,000 people flocking to The Hoe for its huge bonfire next to Smeaton’s Tower and 15-minute firework display over the Citadel.

Food stalls will open on Plymouth Hoe from 4pm until late.

The bonfire will start at 7pm in the evening with the fireworks starting at 7.30pm.

These are completely free to attend, but for anyone who heads up to the promenade for the rides – there will be a small fee to go on them.

Norfolk

Fawkes in the Walks is one of the biggest firework displays in Norfolk.

This year it will take place on November 6 at The Walks in King’s Lynn.

Kicking off at 6pm it will have live music, food and drink stalls and a funfair which will keep everyone occupied before the main event.

The fireworks kick off at 8pm alongside live music from DJ Mark Purdy and Vex.

The event is completely free but donations are encouraged.

London

In London anyone on a budget can usually get a good view of fireworks for free from vantage points like Primrose or Parliament Hill.

However, if you want to go to an actual event, Coram’s Fields is one of London’s free community displays.

Gates open at 3.30pm with performances by local youth groups beginning at 4.15pm – this is also when the fun fair rides and food stalls will first open.

The 18-minute long firework display will begin at 6pm.

General entry to the display is on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to the park’s capacity.

It’s also worth noting that as Coram’s Fields is a children’s park, adults may can only attend the event when accompanied by a child.

East Sussex

For a slightly unusual Bonfire Night, Lewes in East Sussex holds the biggest celebration in the country.

Every year on November 5, six different bonfire societies each hold their own procession and firework displays through the town.

The majority of the event is completely free, like the bonfire at Commercial Square and the torchlit parades.

Entry to the individual society firework and bonfire sites requires a paid ticket – but they will be free to watch from the public-accessible areas along the routes.

This year, the processions start at around 5pm and will arrive at the individual bonfire at around 9.45pm with fireworks displays finishing around 11pm.

IT might seem too early to think about the New Year, but if you want to ring in 2027 with style, you’ll need to act fast.

Tickets for the spectacular London firework display go on sale today – and they’re bound to sell out quickly.

Tickets for the show will be released in two batches with the first on sale midday today.

Tickets are priced between £20 to £55 (excluding the booking fee) and one person can buy up to four tickets.

The price of tickets depends on the viewing area which is split into different categories.

The category A viewing area includes places like Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge – these tickets are priced at £55.

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Meanwhile, Category B is priced at £40, with spots like behind the London Eye and the stretch of Victoria Embankment from Golden Jubilee Footbridge to Temple Avenue.

It also includes accessible areas which is on Albert Embankment.

Anyone who has a London postcode is in luck as locals get a £20 discount. 

Last year around 100,000 ticketholders attended the event and around 10million people watched on TV.

If you miss out on the first batch of tickets, a second lot will be released later on.

However a date for this hasn’t been announced yet.

For more information and to buy tickets, head here.

What’s it like to go to London’s NYE fireworks?

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding reveals that the evening has in store…

“Key advice? Be prepared.

“Get your group chat organised now – you can buy up to four tickets each, so if you want more you’ll need a few people online.

“And whatever you do, do not refresh the page – you will lose your place in the queue.

“The NYE fireworks for 2023 were my first and I can’t deny I was impressed.

“There were also no queues and no crowds once in the zone, allowing us to secure a great spot to watch the breathtaking 12-minute display.

“If going, definitely opt for one of the Category A zones – these have the best views of the fireworks, whereas the Category B zones are often interrupted by skyscrapers.

“Make sure you do head there for 8pm as it isn’t the only New Year’s event on, which means the tube is often packed.

“And bear in mind, the station closest to your gate may be closed to manage the flows of people better.

“As for what to wear, you will get warm but do make sure you have layers as the breeze from the river is chilling.

“Don’t worry about taking a chair – you’ll dance as you wait.

“To save some money though, do take some tinnys – small cocktail cans are great as they don’t weigh much or take up too much room in a bag.

“If you get hungry, there are plenty of food stalls around.”