Guy Fawkes tourism?
August 9, 2013 3:53 PM Subscribe
My brother's birthday is November 5th. Naturally he's heard about the festivities but being a Yank, he's never participated -- however, he's curious, and might possibly be in the UK for his birthday this year. Hence, my question: are Guy Fawkes celebrations something tourists can participate in? Or maybe, things have changed, no more bonfires? Or even (my notion, a reaction to the lurid reports of urban cores being taken over by rowdy, binge-drinking youths every evening) would it better be something to avoid?
Yes, previously, but that question's answers are a bit too Anglo-centric.
Yes, previously, but that question's answers are a bit too Anglo-centric.
Wherever you are in the UK there will be events imvolving fires and fireworks on or around the 5th Nov. They are often free and open to all. Mostly they are community events for all ages. Enjoy.
posted by BenPens at 4:08 PM on August 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by BenPens at 4:08 PM on August 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Where in the UK is your brother planning to be that day? Nthing that Lewes is definitely the place to go for a most righteous bonfire.
My first-ever overseas trip (totally coincidentally) arrived in Glasgow on Guy Fawkes Day, and there were lovely fireworks on the Green. One of my all-time favorite memories, a lot of fun... but there were no bonfires. It was free, tons of people were there, all were welcome.
The Guardian has some suggested Bonfire Night celebration locations.
posted by divined by radio at 4:11 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
My first-ever overseas trip (totally coincidentally) arrived in Glasgow on Guy Fawkes Day, and there were lovely fireworks on the Green. One of my all-time favorite memories, a lot of fun... but there were no bonfires. It was free, tons of people were there, all were welcome.
The Guardian has some suggested Bonfire Night celebration locations.
posted by divined by radio at 4:11 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The local council will likely be organizing a bonfire and fireworks display, and it may well be free. Even if not, some group nearer or further will be organizing the same, and the fee to enter will likely only be a few pounds. Anybody can turn up, stand by the bonfire, and watch the display. Bonfires are typically not held in town centres, however, so there is no worry about binge-drinking crowds, but a fireworks display alone might be. They are also typically family events anyway so drunkenness would be unwelcome. Some of the bigger bonfire gatherings incorporate some kind of funfair too.
The only thing of concern is that some bonfires still burn a guy, and if your brother is catholic it may well be an unwelcome reminder of the celebration's meaning. (Of course there is no real anti-catholic sentiment now in most cases.)
Also, he should feel free to buy some fireworks and hold his own party if he can; lots of people do. A friend from the US remarked, after witnessing his first Bonfire Night, that it's far more than he had ever seen on 4 July. Indeed, even if he chooses not to attend anywhere, it is likely that he can sit in his room and watch fireworks displays from his window--he is bound to see a fair deal anyway.
posted by Thing at 4:47 PM on August 9, 2013
The only thing of concern is that some bonfires still burn a guy, and if your brother is catholic it may well be an unwelcome reminder of the celebration's meaning. (Of course there is no real anti-catholic sentiment now in most cases.)
Also, he should feel free to buy some fireworks and hold his own party if he can; lots of people do. A friend from the US remarked, after witnessing his first Bonfire Night, that it's far more than he had ever seen on 4 July. Indeed, even if he chooses not to attend anywhere, it is likely that he can sit in his room and watch fireworks displays from his window--he is bound to see a fair deal anyway.
posted by Thing at 4:47 PM on August 9, 2013
Most of the London councils have firework displays, usually on the Saturday closest to 5 November. They're either free or have a small charge. Time Out will have a list of them near the time.
I went to the fireworks at Waltham Forest Town Hall (Walthamstow, East London) last year and they were fabulous. There was also a funfair and food stands.
posted by essexjan at 4:49 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I went to the fireworks at Waltham Forest Town Hall (Walthamstow, East London) last year and they were fabulous. There was also a funfair and food stands.
posted by essexjan at 4:49 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Is your brother Catholic? In Lewes they still chant anti-Catholic slogans, so that might be a consideration. Otherwise, every local council area has an official Bonfire Night event - check the council's event listings where your brother will be. There's also plenty of unofficial firework displays, and Diwali is usually around then as well so it's like two weeks of fireworks.
posted by goo at 5:00 PM on August 9, 2013
posted by goo at 5:00 PM on August 9, 2013
God, yes! While Guy Fawkes' night derives from a whole bunch of historical anti-Catholic-parliament-busting-hung-drawn-and-quartering shenanigans, nowadays it's just a fun thing we Brits do as an excuse to set things on fire, set off fireworks, eat sausages and baked spuds, drink and have a party. There really is no sense whatsoever of this annual shindig being anything other than an excuse for a laugh and a drink. With fireworks. It's like St Patrick's day. It has moved completely beyond its origins. All are welcome to join in. Even Catholics!
posted by Decani at 5:51 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Decani at 5:51 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was actually talking about Lewes tonight, and described it as the closest thing in England to one of those Italian city/regional festivals where the place divides up into historic clans then gets drunk, hits each other with sticks according to rules laid down in the 1450s, and then drinks some more.
Elsewhere, the last couple of decades have seen a shift towards single big municipal display, on the preceding weekend rather than the day itself (so it's not a school night) with greater control over the proceedings.
One option in London is to get yourself somewhere high -- the Eye is an obvious choice, but other high places are available -- and see the fireworks going off across the city's various boroughs. I know someone who managed to get into the bar on top of Tower 42 one year, and he was suitably impressed.
posted by holgate at 9:21 PM on August 9, 2013
Elsewhere, the last couple of decades have seen a shift towards single big municipal display, on the preceding weekend rather than the day itself (so it's not a school night) with greater control over the proceedings.
One option in London is to get yourself somewhere high -- the Eye is an obvious choice, but other high places are available -- and see the fireworks going off across the city's various boroughs. I know someone who managed to get into the bar on top of Tower 42 one year, and he was suitably impressed.
posted by holgate at 9:21 PM on August 9, 2013
November 5th is my favourite celebration of the year. All welcome!
As everyone has said, a trip to Lewes is well worth the effort. I haven't been since I was at university there 10 years ago but it was spectacular and every year I am amazed to find out it hasn't been banned yet.
If your brother wants to stay in London there are several options. Personally I am not a fan of the big council run events. The fireworks are usually great but there is often no bonfire or sparklers allowed (its not November 5th without a bonfire, just a fireworks display!) and will invariably be absolutely heaving with people and kids hysterical on toffee apples. My favourite London event is at Cleveland Square, an advanced tickets only event run by a private residents association in Bayswater. Great fireworks, mulled wine, sparklers encouraged and a huge bonfire (with a proper guy...and they will even let you pop your baked potato in the embers).
You can also always decide to find a good vantage point and watch ALL the fireworks across town instead. Tickets for the London Eye on that night always sell out way in advance but if you can grab some for an hour after dark it is ace. Also there is always the option to take a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate up to somewhere like Alexandra Palace or Primrose Hill and watch everything from there.
posted by Acarpous at 3:17 AM on August 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
As everyone has said, a trip to Lewes is well worth the effort. I haven't been since I was at university there 10 years ago but it was spectacular and every year I am amazed to find out it hasn't been banned yet.
If your brother wants to stay in London there are several options. Personally I am not a fan of the big council run events. The fireworks are usually great but there is often no bonfire or sparklers allowed (its not November 5th without a bonfire, just a fireworks display!) and will invariably be absolutely heaving with people and kids hysterical on toffee apples. My favourite London event is at Cleveland Square, an advanced tickets only event run by a private residents association in Bayswater. Great fireworks, mulled wine, sparklers encouraged and a huge bonfire (with a proper guy...and they will even let you pop your baked potato in the embers).
You can also always decide to find a good vantage point and watch ALL the fireworks across town instead. Tickets for the London Eye on that night always sell out way in advance but if you can grab some for an hour after dark it is ace. Also there is always the option to take a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate up to somewhere like Alexandra Palace or Primrose Hill and watch everything from there.
posted by Acarpous at 3:17 AM on August 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or if traditional bonfires aren't mobile enough for you, venture west to Ottery St Mary in Devon and watch the flaming tar barrels instead.
posted by etc at 8:39 AM on August 10, 2013
posted by etc at 8:39 AM on August 10, 2013
I know someone who lives in Scotland who once had a return flight from London the evening of Guy Fawkes Night. She said it was fascinating to look down and watch the fireworks from above all the way from London to Edinburgh.
After that, it became one of my probably-never-achieved ambitions to someday take a similar flight.
posted by telophase at 9:11 AM on August 13, 2013
After that, it became one of my probably-never-achieved ambitions to someday take a similar flight.
posted by telophase at 9:11 AM on August 13, 2013
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posted by AwkwardPause at 3:56 PM on August 9, 2013