The Best London Fireworks Displays

November 5th marks the date on which the infamous Gunpowder Plot was foiled back in 1605: a plan by conspirators to kill King James I and incite a rebellion by blowing up the Houses of Parliament.

Nowadays, Britons tend to recognise the occasion by lighting sparklers and fireworks, with the burning of a dummy known as a ‘Guy’ (named after Guy Fawkes, one of the Gunpowder Plot’s most famous conspirators) the only nod towards the holiday’s dark past. But if you’re in London at the start of November, there’s no need to construct your own fire or attempt your own display: the capital has a host of amazing events to attend. Here’s our pick of the best London fireworks displays.

Best London Fireworks Displays: North

We have to kick off this section with a mention of Alexandra Palace (sometimes known as the grandmaster of all London displays). It’s not difficult to see why this mammoth event has been popular with Londoners for over 150 years: with laser displays, a German bier festival, burning fire parade and two impressive firework displays, there’s so much to do and see. If that’s not enough to impress, head over there on the Friday night – famous DJ Norman Jay will be spinning the decks for the park’s revellers.

Friday 2 November, 5 pm onwards. Laser show at 8:30 pm; fireworks at 9 pm
Saturday 3 November, 4 pm onwards. Laser show at 7:30 pm; fireworks at 8 pm.

Booking in advance is highly recommended. Tickets available from £8.50 for adults.

Scout Park in Bounds Green is also well worth a look – if only for the food alone! The Wild Wolf Explorer Scouts have organised an amazing variety of food stalls, from barbequed meats to Norwegian waffles. There’s also the chance to toast marshmallows on the bonfire and a special alternative ‘low-noise’ display for children and anyone else who may find loud displays a challenge.

Sunday 4 November, 4 pm onwards. Low-noise display at 5.30 pm; feature display at 8 pm.

Tickets available on the gate from £4 for adults.

Head a little further west and stop by Wembley Park:undoubtedly one of the best London fireworks displays. At this event, Diwali (the Hindu festival of Light) and Bonfire Night are commemorated simultaneously – leading to a glorious celebration full of colour and light. Attractions include a Bollywood brass band, lantern-making workshops, a sparkling parade complete with fire torches, a fire garden, and – of course – an impressive 12-minute firework display.

Sunday 4 November, 4 pm onwards. Fireworks at 7 pm.

Free to attend.

East London

Victoria Park, known as ‘The People’s Park’, holds one of the capital’s most famous displays – and it won’t cost you a thing to attend. Every year the Park celebrates Guy Fawkes with a different theme, which in 2018 will be ‘monsters’ (to mark the 200 anniversary of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein). It also happens to be Tower Hamlets’ official display. Arrive at 7 pm to see the main event.

Sunday 4 November, 5. 30 pm onwards. Fireworks at 7 pm.

Free to attend.

Close to the vibrant area of Stoke Newington is Clissold Park, where the annual firework display is almost like a carnival. Locals and street performers alike dress to the nines in outlandish Halloween costumes to match the festival’s theme: this year it’s ‘movies’, so attendees can expect to see a host of famous film characters wherever they turn! There’s a funfair to enjoy as well as the mammoth twenty-minute firework display, which kicks off at 7.30 pm. In addition – due to the animals that reside in the park – the display is quieter than most, so it’s one of the best London fireworks displays for children.

Saturday 3 November, 5 pm onwards. Fireworks at 7.30 pm.

We recommend booking in advance. Tickets cost between £2.75 – £8.75.

South London

Battersea’s sell-out firework show is crafted by award-winning technicians – so it’s definitely not one to miss! As well as the awe-inspiring 22-minute display that illuminates the night sky above Wandsworth, visitors can enjoy a towering bonfire which will be lit by the Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth at 7.30 pm.

Saturday 3 November, 6 pm onwards. Fireworks at 8 pm.

Booking in advance is essential. Tickets are available from £10 for adults.

Lambeth’s annual fireworks display returns to Brockwell Park this year and promises to be bigger than ever, with two displays on one night (and all for the price of one entry ticket!). The first display, which takes place at 6.45 pm, will be a family-friendly, movie-themed show; the second display, called ‘The Time Tunnel’, will unfold at 8 pm to a rousing soundtrack full of anthems from the 1990s onwards. Revellers can also line their tummies with fabulous food from famous purveyors such as Porky’s BBQ, as well as hopping on a funfair ride or two.

Saturday 3rd November, 5 pm onwards. Fireworks at 6.45 pm and 8 pm.

Booking in advance is recommended. Tickets are available from £10 for adults.

West London

Continuing the theme of ‘two for the price of one’ we have Ravenscourt Park Fireworks, which offers an earlier, child-friendly display at 7.15 pm before the main event at 8 pm. With a plethora of funfair attractions, food stalls and more, visitors will find plenty to indulge in before watching the magnificent illuminations.

Saturday 3rd November, 6 pm onwards. Fireworks at 7.15 pm and 8 pm.

Booking in advance is recommended. Tickets are available from £6 for adults.

For something a little bit different, pop over to Ealing and visit the local cricket club. This year, they’ll be commemorating 100 years of the RAF with a fireworks display set to music with a flying theme. Also on offer are a laser show, barbeques and bars (including a mulled wine stand to warm those frosty hands!), funfair rides and other family-friendly novelties.

Saturday 3rd November, 5 pm onwards. Fireworks at 6.45 pm and 8 pm.

Tickets are available on the gate (cash only) from £7.25 for adults.