Bonfire Night is one of the most exciting nights of the year in the UK. Every 5th November, people gather to watch spectacular fireworks and enjoy huge bonfires!
But how much do you really know about Bonfire Night? From the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes to colourful fireworks and the reason we celebrate on 5th November, here are some fun Bonfire Night facts for kids.
1.Bonfire Night happens on 5th November
Bonfire Night takes place every year on 5th November. It is also known as Guy Fawkes Night, Firework Night or simply 5th November.
If 5th November falls on a weekday, many organised firework displays take place on a nearby Friday or Saturday evening so more people can attend.
2.Bonfire Night dates back more than 400 years
The tradition of Bonfire Night began in 1605 during the reign of King James I, meaning people in Britain have been marking 5th November for more than four centuries. The original event that Bonfire Night remembers happened more than 400 years ago during the early hours of 5th November 1605.
3.Bonfire Night is linked to the Gunpowder Plot
Bonfire Night commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. The plotters wanted to kill King James I and other members of Parliament.
4.Guy Fawkes was one of the plotters
One of the most famous people involved in the Gunpowder Plot was Guy Fawkes. He was discovered underneath the Houses of Parliament while guarding barrels of gunpowder.
Although Guy Fawkes became the person most closely associated with the event, he was actually just one member of a larger group of plotters.
5.Robert Catesby Was the Mastermind
Guy Fawkes might be the most famous name connected to the Gunpowder Plot, but he wasn't the mastermind behind it. The plot was actually led by Robert Catesby. He recruited other plotters, helped organise the plan and arranged for the gunpowder to be placed beneath the Houses of Parliament.
6.“Remember, Remember the 5th of November”
One of the most famous rhymes associated with Bonfire Night and the Gunpowder Plot is:
“Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”
There are several different versions of the rhyme, but the one most commonly remembered today begins with “Remember, remember, the fifth of November”
7.Bonfires gave Bonfire Night its name
One of the oldest Bonfire Night traditions is, unsurprisingly, the bonfire! In 1605, people lit bonfires in London to celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot.
The tradition of lighting bonfires on 5th November continued and eventually became an important part of Bonfire Night celebrations.
8.Fireworks weren't originally the main attraction
Today, fireworks are probably what most children think of when they hear “Bonfire Night”. However, fireworks weren't the main focus of the very first celebrations. Bonfires were an important part of the original tradition, while fireworks became increasingly associated with Bonfire Night over time.
9.Fireworks can be different colours
Have you ever wondered how fireworks can explode in bright red, green, blue and other colours? Different chemical compounds are used to create different colours when fireworks burn.
For example, strontium compounds can produce red, while barium compounds can produce green. Fireworks are essentially a spectacular chemistry experiment happening high in the sky!
10.Fireworks can make different shapes
Modern fireworks can create all sorts of patterns in the night sky.
You might see:
- ⭐ Stars
- 💥 Bursts
- 🌸 Flower-like shapes
- ❤️ Hearts
- 💫 Rings
- 🌴 Palm-like explosions
- 🌀 Spirals
The shapes are created by carefully arranging the materials inside the firework before it is launched.
11.Fireworks don't all explode at the same height
Different fireworks are designed to explode at different heights. Some smaller fireworks produce effects closer to the ground, while large display fireworks can explode high above the audience.
Professional fireworks displays are carefully planned so that fireworks explode at safe distances from spectators.
12.Fireworks make a bang because of rapidly expanding gases
That enormous BOOM! isn't magic. When a firework explodes, a rapid chemical reaction produces hot gases. These gases expand extremely quickly, creating a pressure wave that travels through the air. Our ears detect this pressure wave as sound. That's why you can sometimes see a firework before you hear it.
13.You can use the delay between light and sound to estimate distance
Light travels much faster than sound. This means you normally see a firework burst before you hear its bang. If you count the seconds between seeing the flash and hearing the explosion, you can make a rough estimate of how far away the firework was. You can do the same trick for lightening and thunder!
14.Fireworks have been used for hundreds of years
Fireworks have a very long history. They are thought to have originated in China more than 1,000 years ago. Over time, knowledge of fireworks spread to other parts of the world. Today, fireworks are used for celebrations all over the globe!
15.Fireworks aren't just used on Bonfire Night
Although fireworks are strongly associated with 5th November in the UK, they are used for lots of other celebrations too.
You might see fireworks at:
- New Year's Eve celebrations
- Festivals
- Weddings
- Sporting events
- National celebrations
- Theme parks
- Special events
16.People sometimes make a “Guy”
A traditional Bonfire Night activity was to make a figure representing Guy Fawkes. This figure became known as a “Guy”.
The word “guy” eventually became a general word for a person in everyday English. So when someone says “Who is that guy?”, they're using a word that has a rather unusual connection to British history!
17.Penny for the Guy was once a Bonfire Night tradition
Children once made their own Guy Fawkes figures and took them around their neighbourhoods. They would ask people for a “penny for the Guy”. The money could then be used to buy fireworks or sweets. This tradition is much less common today than it once was.
18.Bonfire Night isn't celebrated in exactly the same way everywhere
Bonfire Night traditions vary across the UK. Some towns and villages hold enormous organised firework displays, while others have smaller community events. Some celebrations feature bonfires, food stalls, fairground rides and entertainment alongside the fireworks.
19.Bonfire Night is celebrated differently around the world
5th November is particularly associated with Britain, but Guy Fawkes Night traditions have also influenced celebrations in other countries. For example, Guy Fawkes Night has historically been observed in parts of countries including New Zealand and Canada. The traditions aren't necessarily identical to those in the UK.
20.Bonfire Night is one of the UK's best-known autumn traditions
Bonfire Night comes at the perfect time of year for spectacular evening displays. By early November, the evenings are dark much earlier, making colourful fireworks easy to see against the night sky. It is also a time when many people enjoy warming drinks, seasonal food and outdoor community events.
Why Do We Celebrate Bonfire Night?
So, why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?
The tradition comes from the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. A group of plotters planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and members of Parliament were inside. Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding gunpowder beneath the House of Lords on 5th November. The plot failed, and people celebrated by lighting bonfires.
Over hundreds of years, the tradition developed into the Bonfire Night celebrations we know today, with bonfires, fireworks, community events and Guy Fawkes figures.
When Is Bonfire Night?
Bonfire Night is on 5th November every year.
In 2026, Bonfire Night will fall on Thursday 5th November. Many organised displays may take place on the weekend before or after 5th November, depending on the local area. If you're planning to attend a display, check the event organiser for the exact date and time.
More Fun Facts for Kids
If you enjoyed these Bonfire Night facts, why not discover more fascinating facts about the seasons, celebrations and the world around us? You could learn about 31st October, autumn, Christmas, sport and much more!
And if you're looking for something fun to do during the school holidays, why not find out more about our school holiday day camps, where children can enjoy exciting activities, games and adventures during October half term, February half term, Easter, May half term and the summer holidays!
Happy Bonfire Night! 🎆🔥
Remember: fireworks should always be handled by responsible adults and used in accordance with UK safety rules. Children should never handle fireworks.