Bonfire night events and fireworks displays in Redland, Bristol and beyond!

With Bonfire night just a few weeks away, we look at the various displays and fireworks events around Redland and Bristol.

With the future of the massive bonfire night event at The Downs remaining uncertain, we look at the other local options for large fireworks events near Redland. We reported last year that the council-funded fireworks display would return to Bristol Downs this year but we're yet to receive confirmation of this. There will undoubtedly be a handful of small displays organised by pubs and clubs, plenty of home-based fun and the odd shebang worth traveling a little further afield for. What's more, bonfire night falls on a Saturday so the whole family can enjoy the fun.

Bristol

Downend Fireworks Display claims to be the best display in Bristol. Taking place at 7.30pm on November 4, at King George V playing fields, it comprises a massive bonfire and fireworks display - which has been going for the past 40 years. This special anniversary display will once more be raising money for various charities, including The Great Western Air Ambulance. Entry is £3.50 in advance. It's just a couple of miles from Redland so is a pretty good bet for local families. More information HERE.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is back with its fourth annual offering of bangless fireworks. Two events will take place on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November from 4pm – 5.30pm. The evenings are an enchanting display of low-noise fireworks that will light up the night sky. All the while the animals remain unaffected by it. Adult tickets cost £5 in advance, children £4adv and family £15adv. Once again, it's just a stone's throw from Redland, over the other side of Whiteladies Road, so a good option for local families. More information HERE.

Nearby

Head south towards Weston-super-Mare and you will find the wonderful Puxton Park fireworks display. Taking place on November 5 (we're lucky it's a Saturday this year) the event is much more than some fireworks. The indoor playbarn will be open for children and there will also be a magician, inflatable helter skelter and carnival-style games and stalls. Refreshments will be available along with a fully licensed bar. Doors open at 6pm, bonfire lit at 7pm and fireworks start at 8pm. Entry is £5, under threes go free. More info HERE.

Just north of Bristol you have the acclaimed Thornbury fireworks display. Organised by the Round Table, the event takes place on the spacious Mundy playing fields on November 5. Gates open 5.30pm, Children's display 6.30pm, Bonfire lighting 7pm, Main display at about 7.30pm. Entertainment comes from local radio station Jack FM and there will be refreshments and stalls. All profits go to charity. Tickets £4 in advance (£2 for children) from Thornbury Town Hall or £1 on top of these prices on the gate.

Further afield

Without a doubt, the best bonifire night effort in the UK (possibly even the world) takes place in Lewes, nr Brighton, West Sussex. It's a bit of a trek from Bristol but well worth it. The small town has seven main societies who each spend a whole year planning their next event. They all take part in a massive procession through the town - morris men, re-enactment societies and groups with giant efferges? of things they plan to throw on the massive bonfires at the end of the evening. These range from Tony Blair to the Pope and parking meters to Thatcher. The Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations in the early years (we're talking 18th Century here) would often get out of hand, turning into near riots. Still, this is probably not suitable for younger children as it can get VERY busy and there are lots of firecrackers and somewhat scary costumes. More info HERE.

Fore something a little different, there's the infamous tar barrel rolling event at Ottery St Mary in Devon. The Tar Barrel tradition is hundreds of years old. The exact origins are unknown but probably started after the gunpowder plot of 1605. The West Country has a history of torchlight processions and burning barrels and Ottery was only one of the many towns and villages following an annual tradition containing barrels which were rolled in the streets on November 5th each year. Somewhere along the line someone decided rolling was tame and carrying barrels on your shoulders was far more appealing and so the present tradition was born and now Ottery is the only Town in the country carrying full sized lighted tar barrels through the streets. Again, possibly not one for young children or the faint hearted. More info HERE.

Of course, if you'd rather stay at home and have your own fireworks party, there are plenty of places to buy fireworks. See previous Redland People article HERE. You'll probably see the fireworks across the city's skyline anyway. Perhaps you could engage the kids and get them to make a guy. Plenty of options! Don't give up on the Downs display just yet though, keep your eyes posted on Redland People and as soon as we have word from Bristol City Council we'll let you know!