Bonfire Night events are great fun in London.

Also known as Guy Fawkes Night, this festival is held every year on November 5th.

It commemorates the failed attempt to blow up Parliament by Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators on that date in 1605.

An Act of Parliament called The Thanksgiving Act was passed and up until 1859 celebrations marking the event were compulsory.

The activities that take place on this holiday generally centre on bonfires and fireworks.

Londoners were advised to light bonfires in thanksgiving that the King and country had been delivered from the evil plot, and over the years the ceremonies got more elaborate.

Traditionally children built dummies stuffed with straw or other materials, and usually decorated with a grotesque face.

This is “The Guy”, an effigy of Guy Fawkes that will end up being burned in a bonfire.

On November 5th you may still see children on street corners or walking around town with their stuffed figures, knocking on doors, asking “A Penny for The Guy?”

They then traditionally used any donations they got to buy the fireworks that will be set off during the evening festivities.

Often effigies of the Pope were also burned in the bonfires, and you may still see that being done in recent times, as well as the burning of figures representing contemporary and controversial political leaders.

However, in these days the burning of such effigies is done more in fun and as a tradition than as a serious political statement or declaration of anti-Catholic sentiments.

Some favourite foods eaten on Guy Fawkes Night are toffee apples, treacle sweets, and jacket potatoes that are wrapped in foil and cooked directly on the coals of the bonfires.

There are literally dozens of places to go see fireworks displays in London on Bonfire Night.

Funfairs, food stalls, and music are usually offered at these displays, making it a fun night out for the whole family.

Alexandra Palace has become known as one of the best places to see the fireworks.

Bonfire Night events are a must for anyone visiting London in November.

Visiting Alexandra Palace Fireworks

Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, N22 7AY

5th November 2010

Telephone: 020 8365 2121

Opening Times

Doors 16:30 | Fireworks 19:30

Ticket Prices

By Donation (£2 suggestion)

Photo courtesy: ben hanbury

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