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.
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.