On 5 November 1605, royal guards caught Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. Over 400 years later, we still commemorate the failed plot as we gather up and down the country for firework displays and bonfires.
As autumn begins and the nights get shorter, bonfire night events are the perfect way to enjoy time with your family and friends. And you don’t need to go far as there are many excellent events happening nearby.
Read on to learn about five of the best bonfire night events in and around Chobham.
1. The Chobham rugby club fireworks
Chobham rugby club is hosting its annual fireworks display and bonfire night once again on Friday 1 November.
You can expect a large bonfire and a dazzling fireworks show afterwards, as well as plenty of stalls and food outlets selling all manner of treats for kids. The bar is also open for the adults.
As well as the normal displays you’d expect to find, there is also a Halloween fancy dress competition, awarding prizes for the scariest costumes. The winners of the contest get to help light the bonfire too.
The event is a favourite in the local area, and it’s bound to be busy. Entry is available with prepaid tickets only, so make sure to purchase some from the Chobham rugby club website ahead of time.
2. The Woking fireworks extravaganza
Woking Park, just a 20-minute drive from Chobham, plays host to one of the most exciting bonfire night events on 9 November.
The Woking fireworks extravaganza is a themed display, set to music. This year, the theme is “rock through the ages”, with all the fireworks synchronised to all the classic hits of the past 60 years. The organisers have even promised mind-blowing pyrotechnics, all new for this year’s display.
As well as the fireworks, you can also enjoy the funfair and refreshment stands that are open throughout the evening.
You can purchase tickets from the Woking fireworks website and all proceeds are donated to charity.
3. The Guildford firework fiesta
The Guildford firework fiesta is another excellent event that draws large crowds year after year. Taking place on Saturday 2 November, it boasts a range of exciting activities for the whole family.
For younger children, there will be a dedicated entertainment area with characters from all their favourite movies including Frozen and Captain America.
The older kids and adults can enjoy a thrilling musical performance from the Hired Guns, a professional band playing hits by some of the biggest artists in the world, including Taylor Swift, the Killers, and Kings of Leon.
The grand finale of the evening will be the impressive display, presented by the largest fireworks company in the UK.
You can purchase your tickets from the Guildford Lions Club website.
4. Ripley bonfire
Ripley bonfire is a good option if you can’t make it to the many events happening on 1 or 2 November as it takes place the previous weekend on Saturday 26 October.
Expect an evening of entertainment at Ripley Park as the funfair runs all afternoon and the fully licensed bar and many food outlets open at 4pm. The Ripley bonfire queen will then lead a torchlit procession to ignite the bonfire and kickstart the fireworks display.
After the show, the bar remains open, and you can enjoy some live music entertainment for the rest of the evening.
You won’t need to purchase tickets in advance for this event, but the organisers do accept donations. All proceeds go towards hosting the event and supporting the Ripley over-60s club, and other local causes.
5. Low-bang fireworks at Godstone Farm
Loud fireworks can be overwhelming for young children, but they can still enjoy the bonfire night festivities with low-bang fireworks at Godstone Farm on 26 and 27 October.
This specialist display offers all the colours and sparkle of normal fireworks, without the loud noises, so it’s perfect for the whole family. The event will also feature entertainers such as firebreathers and stilt walkers, as well as lots of food stalls to enjoy.
You can book your tickets for the event on the Godstone Farm website now.
Which of these exciting bonfire night events will you attend this year?