Why celebrate Guy Fawkes Night?<\/strong><\/h2>\nBonfire Night celebrates the failure of Catholic zealot Guy Fawkes in his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605. Fawkes was just one of 13 conspirators, but he became the face of the Gunpowder Plot since he was the only one caught. For the last 400 years, effigies called “guys” have been burned to commemorate the event.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Guy-Fawkes-night-3.jpg\")
Lewes, East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n
These days, Guy Fawkes lives on as a global symbol of dissent in the form of a grinning caricature mask. If you have trouble remembering the date of Bonfire Night, memorize the rhyme that Brits learn at school (though only the first line is necessary):<\/p>\n
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
\n<\/em>Gunpowder treason and plot;
\n<\/em>We see no reason why gunpowder treason
\n<\/em>Should ever be forgot.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat can I expect at a Guy Fawkes event?<\/strong><\/h2>\nBonfire Night is an assault on your senses. As soon as you arrive, you\u2019ll smell a combination of street food\u2014hot dogs, soup, doughnuts, cotton candy\u2014and the smoke of the bonfire. The crackle of flames will give way to a muted pop, an ear-splitting bang or the rapid whoosh of a rocket before it explodes into an array of colors overhead.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Guy-Fawkes-night-4.jpg\")
Lewes, East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n
It\u2019s family-friendly with events taking place in the early evening throughout the first week of November. Some of the largest organized displays have fairground rides and live music. The atmosphere is festive and social with plenty of entertainment, food and games stalls.<\/p>\n
Even small events in muddy fields will have stalls selling hot dogs, burgers, baked potatoes, roasted chestnuts and the obligatory toffee apples. Synonymous with Bonfire Night, these vivid red concoctions comprise a candy-coated apple skewered with a lollipop stick. Some places will sell Parkin, North England\u2019s delicious traditional ginger cake. Wash your snacks down with hot chocolate or mulled wine.<\/p>\n
What should I wear and bring?<\/strong><\/h2>\nNovember nights can be chilly so spectators usually wrap up warm in scarves, hats and gloves. Rain is always a possibility (welcome to the UK!) so it\u2019s worth checking the weather forecast and bringing a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes\u2014you\u2019ll be standing around in a park. You should bring earplugs or earmuffs for your children.<\/p>\n
Sparklers are hugely popular at home events, but not allowed at public displays, which are too crowded to use them safely.<\/p>\n
Where can I see the best firework displays?<\/strong><\/h2>\nVisitors can inadvertently watch displays for free just by wandering around town or looking out of a hotel window. But why stay in when you can experience the smells, sights and sounds of Bonfire Night at one of the many excellent public displays across the country?<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Guy-Fawkes-night-2.jpg\")
Lewes East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n
Every corner of Britain from the biggest cities to small villages will have some kind of Guy Fawkes celebration. The small town of Lewes<\/a> in East Sussex hosts the biggest Bonfire Night in the country and goes all out with a parade and elaborately designed effigies of controversial figures.<\/p>\nThe major cities pull out all the stops at big-ticket events. Most Guy Fawkes Nights will take place on the weekend closest to November 5. These are three of the best Bonfire Night events in London<\/a>:<\/p>\nAlexandra Palace, November 1, 2
\n<\/strong>Ally Pally<\/a>, as it\u2019s known, has been the home of London\u2019s ultimate Bonfire Night experience for 150 years. It\u2019s so popular that it is now being held over two days. With tickets costing \u00a312 (kids \u00a38.50 and under-10s \u00a31), it isn\u2019t the cheapest, but you literally get a lot of bang for your buck. It also has the best views across London under the illuminated skies. If the fireworks aren\u2019t enough, there\u2019s a laser show, fire performers, a German beer festival, face painting, ice skating and a fun fair.<\/p>\nBattersea Park, November 2
\n<\/strong>The Battersea Park event sells out every year and tickets aren’t available at the gate, so you need to book in advance<\/a>. This popular fireworks display has all the usual pop-up food stalls and entertainment from 6pm onward. But it\u2019s unique in introducing an adults-only after party (until 1am) at Battersea Evolution, an events venue in the middle of the park. Stay nearby in this riverside apartment<\/a> or ask for rooms with river views at the Battersea Crowne Plaza<\/a> and enjoy spectacular panoramas of fireworks across the city on any evening during the first week of November.<\/p>\n
Lewes, East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n
These days, Guy Fawkes lives on as a global symbol of dissent in the form of a grinning caricature mask. If you have trouble remembering the date of Bonfire Night, memorize the rhyme that Brits learn at school (though only the first line is necessary):<\/p>\n
Remember, remember, the 5th of November Bonfire Night is an assault on your senses. As soon as you arrive, you\u2019ll smell a combination of street food\u2014hot dogs, soup, doughnuts, cotton candy\u2014and the smoke of the bonfire. The crackle of flames will give way to a muted pop, an ear-splitting bang or the rapid whoosh of a rocket before it explodes into an array of colors overhead.<\/p>\n Lewes, East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s family-friendly with events taking place in the early evening throughout the first week of November. Some of the largest organized displays have fairground rides and live music. The atmosphere is festive and social with plenty of entertainment, food and games stalls.<\/p>\n Even small events in muddy fields will have stalls selling hot dogs, burgers, baked potatoes, roasted chestnuts and the obligatory toffee apples. Synonymous with Bonfire Night, these vivid red concoctions comprise a candy-coated apple skewered with a lollipop stick. Some places will sell Parkin, North England\u2019s delicious traditional ginger cake. Wash your snacks down with hot chocolate or mulled wine.<\/p>\n November nights can be chilly so spectators usually wrap up warm in scarves, hats and gloves. Rain is always a possibility (welcome to the UK!) so it\u2019s worth checking the weather forecast and bringing a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes\u2014you\u2019ll be standing around in a park. You should bring earplugs or earmuffs for your children.<\/p>\n Sparklers are hugely popular at home events, but not allowed at public displays, which are too crowded to use them safely.<\/p>\n Visitors can inadvertently watch displays for free just by wandering around town or looking out of a hotel window. But why stay in when you can experience the smells, sights and sounds of Bonfire Night at one of the many excellent public displays across the country?<\/p>\n Lewes East Sussex | Photo: Monica Pedraja<\/p><\/div>\n Every corner of Britain from the biggest cities to small villages will have some kind of Guy Fawkes celebration. The small town of Lewes<\/a> in East Sussex hosts the biggest Bonfire Night in the country and goes all out with a parade and elaborately designed effigies of controversial figures.<\/p>\n The major cities pull out all the stops at big-ticket events. Most Guy Fawkes Nights will take place on the weekend closest to November 5. These are three of the best Bonfire Night events in London<\/a>:<\/p>\n Alexandra Palace, November 1, 2 Battersea Park, November 2
\n<\/em>Gunpowder treason and plot;
\n<\/em>We see no reason why gunpowder treason
\n<\/em>Should ever be forgot.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat can I expect at a Guy Fawkes event?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What should I wear and bring?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Where can I see the best firework displays?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n<\/strong>Ally Pally<\/a>, as it\u2019s known, has been the home of London\u2019s ultimate Bonfire Night experience for 150 years. It\u2019s so popular that it is now being held over two days. With tickets costing \u00a312 (kids \u00a38.50 and under-10s \u00a31), it isn\u2019t the cheapest, but you literally get a lot of bang for your buck. It also has the best views across London under the illuminated skies. If the fireworks aren\u2019t enough, there\u2019s a laser show, fire performers, a German beer festival, face painting, ice skating and a fun fair.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Battersea Park event sells out every year and tickets aren’t available at the gate, so you need to book in advance<\/a>. This popular fireworks display has all the usual pop-up food stalls and entertainment from 6pm onward. But it\u2019s unique in introducing an adults-only after party (until 1am) at Battersea Evolution, an events venue in the middle of the park. Stay nearby in this riverside apartment<\/a> or ask for rooms with river views at the Battersea Crowne Plaza<\/a> and enjoy spectacular panoramas of fireworks across the city on any evening during the first week of November.<\/p>\n
![\"Orbitz,](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/OrbitzApp.jpeg\")
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