Where to watch the fireworks on Bonfire Night (book first)

Don't count on turning up on the night. Most of London's big fireworks displays happen on the weekend nearest 5 November rather than the fifth itself, and the good ones sell out; in 2026 Alexandra Palace runs across 7 and 8 November and Battersea Park is on Saturday 7 November, so book both before you pack.

Alexandra Palace and Battersea Park

Alexandra Palace has the biggest ticketed show in north London, these days billed as a Fireworks & Drone Festival. The palace sits on a hill, so you can see the display from a huge sweep of the park, with food, a fair and live music around it, and in 2026 it stretches to a full weekend with a new Sunday family day for anyone who'd rather not be out late with small children. The terrace in front of the palace has one of the widest views over London, so arrive before dark and see it in daylight first.

Getting there takes some planning. Trains from King's Cross or Moorgate stop at Alexandra Palace station, it's a steep walk up from there, and there are long queues at the station afterwards. From Mayfair or Kensington, allow an hour each way.

If you're staying in Chelsea, Belgravia, Pimlico or South Kensington, Battersea is the sensible choice. Wandsworth Council's display is ticketed and falls on Saturday 7 November this year, and the park is a walk over Chelsea Bridge or Albert Bridge rather than a Tube ride, which matters a great deal at 9pm when thousands of people are all leaving at once.

Smaller displays, and New Year's Eve

Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury, a few minutes from Russell Square, puts on a community display that has been free in recent years, with registration through Eventbrite. In 2025 it was on 5 November itself, starting mid-afternoon and finishing by about 7pm, which makes it one of the few central options for families with little ones. Dulwich Sports Club in south-east London is the friendly, small-scale alternative, with advance tickets only, nothing on the gate, and child tickets that have been a pound. The nearest station is Herne Hill, one stop from Brixton or a direct train from Victoria.

Two old favourites are missing for good reason: Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets hasn't had a council display since 2019, and we couldn't confirm a Crystal Palace Park display for this year.

The other fireworks night that counts is 31 December. The Mayor of London's display over the river is ticketed, with viewing areas along the Embankment and around the London Eye sold through Ticketmaster in the autumn. Without a ticket you can't get into the riverside zones, and nearby streets close from the afternoon. Watching from indoors realistically means a restaurant or bar with a river view booked months ahead, since whether you'd see anything from an apartment window depends on the floor and which way it faces.

Before you go

Early November is around 10°C by day and a lot colder at night, and it rains on something like twelve days of the month. You'll be standing still in a damp park after dark for an hour, so bring a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes. Bonfire Night itself usually lands midweek; the big ticketed displays tend to move to the nearest weekend while some community events stick to 5 November, so check the date on each listing. On the night itself you'll hear private fireworks across London until late, which is worth knowing if you have a dog or a light sleeper with you.

Arrive at least 45 minutes early, agree a meeting point with the children in case you get separated, and check the organiser's page on the day for road closures. Most of the big displays go ahead in rain but are cancelled for high winds. For small children, ear defenders make the difference between enjoying the show and leaving after the first rocket. Afterwards, walk ten minutes away from the park gates before looking for a cab, because black cabs are scarce and ride-hailing prices jump as the crowds leave.

London weather by month

July is the warmest month, averaging 23°C by day. July has the fewest wet days (9) and October the most rain (80 mm). For sightseeing on foot, June scores best on our combined warmth-and-dryness measure.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Rain	Wet days	Chance a 7-day stay sees a washout	Record high / low
January	8°C	2°C	74 mm	13	53%	16°C / -12°C
February	8°C	2°C	51 mm	10	43%	18°C / -8°C
March	11°C	4°C	45 mm	9	44%	23°C / -7°C
April	14°C	5°C	54 mm	10	44%	26°C / -3°C
May	17°C	8°C	54 mm	9	39%	30°C / -1°C
June	20°C	11°C	58 mm	9	35%	34°C / 2°C
July	23°C	13°C	52 mm	9	34%	34°C / 4°C
August	22°C	13°C	68 mm	9	37%	37°C / 4°C
September	19°C	11°C	62 mm	9	39%	29°C / 2°C
October	15°C	8°C	80 mm	11	47%	27°C / -2°C
November	11°C	5°C	76 mm	12	52%	18°C / -6°C
December	8°C	2°C	69 mm	12	50%	16°C / -8°C

Calculated NOAA GHCN-Daily observations at the Hampstead weather station, north London (records 1960–2015; averages from about 25 years per month). A wet day has 1 mm of rain or more.