The only official free fireworks display in London on Thursday 5 November 2026 is at Coram’s Fields in Bloomsbury, and adults are only admitted if they are accompanied by a child. It starts at 6pm. Blackheath is ticketed (£17.60 per adult, Saturday 7 November) and the big shows fall on 1, 7 and 8 November. Without a ticket, you are left with high vantage points such as Parliament Hill, with distant views and no guarantee. For a proper show, go for Stow at £9.50 or Alexandra Palace from £18.
In London, free fireworks have all but disappeared. Blackheath, for years the big free night out in the south-east, now charges admission. Plenty of articles online still describe it as free to enter: that is no longer true in 2026. Here is what is genuinely free, what is only free « from a distance » and what costs a few pounds, with a day-by-day calendar, because this year 5 November falls on a Thursday and most of the big displays have been moved to the weekend. Updated on 6 October 2026.
1. 2026 calendar: 5 November is not the right night for most shows
Bonfire Night marks the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was caught beneath Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. The date is fixed, but the day of the week moves: in 2026 it is a Thursday. Organisers have therefore scheduled their shows around it. Here is what is confirmed for 2026 by organisers’ pages or the London press.
| Date | Show | Fireworks time | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 1 November | Richmond Family Fireworks | 7pm | Ticketed, book in advance, no sales on the night |
| Thursday 5 November | Coram’s Fields (Bloomsbury) | 6pm | Free, adults admitted only with a child |
| Thursday 5 November | Wimbledon Park | Two sessions: 6.45pm and 8.30pm | Ticketed |
| 5 to 7 November | Stow Firework Spectacular (Walthamstow) | 8pm (children’s version at 6pm) | Ticketed, adult £9.50 |
| Saturday 7 November | Blackheath | Time not confirmed in our sources | Ticketed, adult £17.60 |
| Saturday 7 November | Alexandra Palace | 8pm | Ticketed, from £18 |
| Saturday 7 November | Morden Park | Two sessions: 6.45pm and 8.30pm | Ticketed |
| Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November | Battersea Park | See the official site | Ticketed, tickets sold per night |
| Sunday 8 November | Alexandra Palace | 6pm | Ticketed, from £18 |
Sources: Coram’s Fields, Richmond FC, See Tickets, Time Out and Battersea Park Fireworks. If you head to London for « the fifth » without checking this table, you could end up on a Thursday evening with only one genuinely free option, and it is aimed at families only.
2. The only free fireworks on 5 November: Coram’s Fields
Coram’s Fields, Bloomsbury
According to the official Coram’s Fields page, the evening of Thursday 5 November 2026 opens its gates at 3.30pm, with live music from 4.15pm, fireworks at 6pm and a finish at 7pm. Entry is free, with no booking, on a first come, first served basis. The address is 93 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DN. The park is roughly a ten-minute walk from St Pancras station, judging by our map checks (confirm this against your own route).
The point that changes everything: the organiser states that adults can only enter if they are accompanying a child. This is the permanent rule of this playground. If you are travelling as a couple or with friends, this option is not for you, and there is no point trying to get around it.
What to know before you go
- A paid Fast-Track queue guarantees entry. Its price does not appear in the information we could read: check the official page.
- Free accessibility tickets exist and must be reserved in advance on Eventbrite.
- The page says nothing about a possible cancellation in bad weather: check on the day.
3. What free is left: vantage points, not shows
Watching fireworks from afar, without a ticket
According to Time Out (2024 edition), London’s high points let you catch fireworks set off in several districts: Parliament Hill, One Tree Hill, Primrose Hill and the hill at Alexandra Palace are the places named. Let’s be clear about what that means: you see distant bursts, with no music, sometimes hidden by trees or buildings. Nothing is guaranteed, and this information dates from 2024: rules change from one year to the next.
| Vantage point | What you can hope for | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament Hill (Hampstead Heath, north London) | Skyline panorama, distant bursts possible | Night-time access hours not confirmed by the official source, poor lighting, waterlogged ground in November |
| One Tree Hill (Honor Oak, south-east) | High point with views of the skyline and the south of the city | Night access and hours not verified |
| Primrose Hill (next to Regent’s Park) | Famous view over the city | Closes at 10pm at weekends until 8 November 2026. In 2025 there was a special Bonfire Night closure: nothing announced for 2026 so far, check before you climb |
| Alexandra Palace hill (north) | Wide view, right next to a ticketed show | No confirmation for 2026 that access stays open during the event, the palace controls its surroundings |
On Primrose Hill: according to the Royal Parks, the hill was closed every evening at 10pm from 31 October to 9 November 2025 to limit antisocial behaviour and unauthorised fireworks. For 2026, the Royal Parks confirm weekend closures at 10pm until 8 November. A special closure like the one in 2025 had not been announced as of 30 September.
For a vantage point that doesn’t turn into a chore
- Arrive before dark, around 4.30pm in early November, and scout the spot.
- Bring waterproof footwear and a charged phone: the grass is sodden and the lighting is poor.
- Never set off your own fireworks: it is forbidden in the Royal Parks.
- Don’t try to squeeze in by the fence of a ticketed show.
4. The ticketed shows, from cheapest to priciest
Stow, Alexandra Palace, Blackheath, Battersea and the others
Stow Firework Spectacular (Walthamstow, 5 to 7 November). The cheapest ticketed option and one of the few timed for Thursday 5th. According to Time Out: adult £9.50, child aged 6 to 17 £4.50, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £23.50. Programme from 4pm, a « twilight » version at 6pm for children and sensory-sensitive guests, main show at 8pm. Wood Street station (Overground).
Alexandra Palace (Saturday 7 at 8pm, Sunday 8 at 6pm). According to Time Out (10 September 2026), adults pay from £18 (the early bird rate has sold out, the last announced tier is £19.50) and children under 10 pay £5. New in 2026: a drone show precedes the fireworks on both nights. Saturday’s programme is more festive; Sunday’s is more family-oriented.
Blackheath (Saturday 7 November). It is no longer free. According to Time Out (8 September 2026): adult (16 and over) £17.60, youth (11 to 15) £11, child (0 to 10) £5.50, family packs from £28.08 to £51.36, capacity of 40,000. Booking fees apply, and the outlet writes that tickets are expected to sell out.
Battersea Park (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November). Tickets are sold separately for each night. We could not read the 2026 prices on the official site: check it directly before deciding.
Richmond (Sunday 1 November, fireworks at 7pm). According to Richmond FC, tickets must be bought in advance, nothing is sold at the gate, and the show sold out in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Dogs are not allowed, except guide dogs.
Wimbledon Park (Thursday 5) and Morden Park (Saturday 7). Two sessions per site, at 6.45pm and 8.30pm, gates from 5.15pm. Tickets are on See Tickets, which warns that sessions may sell out.
Budget for a couple
- Stow: around £19 for two adults.
- Blackheath: around £35 for two adults, excluding booking fees.
- Alexandra Palace: around £36 for two adults, drones included.
5. What no longer exists: don’t trust old articles
Many pages that still rank well pre-date the end of free entry. Here are the most common traps.
| Place | What old pages say | What the 2026 sources show |
|---|---|---|
| Blackheath | « The biggest free fireworks display in south London » | Ticketed: £17.60 per adult on Saturday 7 November |
| Southwark Park | Free, collect a ticket | No 2026 announcement, show reportedly dropped according to secondary sources |
| Crystal Palace Park | The capital’s oldest display | No show announced |
| Victoria Park (Tower Hamlets) | Big east London show | Cancelled for several years, according to Tower Hamlets Slice |
Another common mistake: imagining a show on the Thames on 5 November. We found no official one for that date; the big river fireworks are the New Year’s Eve ones. And if a search engine summary promises you free entry to a local event, check it: at Harrow, for example, entry is only free until early afternoon, with the fireworks themselves ticketed according to Time Out (year not confirmed as 2026).
6. Planning your trip: entry rules, timings and safety
Entry requirements. If you live in the UK, there is nothing to arrange. Visitors from abroad may need a visa or an ETA, the electronic travel authorisation: check the current fee and conditions on gov.uk before paying, and apply well before you travel. Our guides UK travel in 2026: ETA, passport, insurance and UK ETA before London cover the details.
Timings. From 5 November, it gets dark around 4.30pm: factor that into your schedule, especially if you want to climb a high point before daylight goes.
Getting around on fireworks night. Stations near the shows are swamped at the end of the night. Plan to leave early or to wait, and check weekend engineering works on the TfL and National Rail sites before you set off. Avoid the car: in Richmond, parking costs £10 and must be booked, and the surrounding streets are controlled.
The 11pm rule. According to Time Out, fireworks are banned between 11pm and 7am in the UK, with an exemption until midnight on 5 November. In residential areas there are therefore private displays around the date: don’t be surprised by noise late in the evening.
Safety. In a crowd, agree a meeting point and keep your belongings close. In an emergency, dial 999 (112 also works). If your stay lasts several days, also see our day trip to Bath from London to fill the day before the evening show.
Fancy a proper community celebration? Lewes, in Sussex, holds Bonfire Night celebrations rated among the most spectacular in the country, with torchlit processions. The Planomato 2026 guide details the programme; check return train times before committing, because the crowds are dense.
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Online quote based on your trip lengthFrequently asked questions
What is the date of Bonfire Night 2026?
Thursday 5 November 2026. Most of London’s big shows take place around it: Richmond on Sunday 1 November, then Battersea, Alexandra Palace, Blackheath and Morden Park on 7 and 8 November. Source: Coram’s Fields.
Are there any free fireworks in London on 5 November 2026?
Yes: Coram’s Fields, in Bloomsbury, with fireworks at 6pm and free entry. But adults are only admitted if they are accompanying a child. Source: Coram’s Fields.
Are the Blackheath fireworks still free?
No. In 2026 they take place on Saturday 7 November and cost £17.60 for an adult, £11 for a young person aged 11 to 15 and £5.50 for a child, with a capacity of 40,000 people. Source: Time Out.
Where can I see fireworks in London without a ticket?
From high points such as Parliament Hill, One Tree Hill or the hill at Alexandra Palace, you can glimpse distant fireworks, with no music and no guarantee. Primrose Hill closes at 10pm at weekends until 8 November. Source: Time Out (2024) and Royal Parks.
How much do the Alexandra Palace fireworks cost in 2026?
From £18 for an adult (last announced tier: £19.50) and £5 for a child under 10, with a drone show before the fireworks. Saturday 7 at 8pm, Sunday 8 at 6pm. Source: Time Out.
Do I need to book?
Yes for all ticketed shows. Richmond sells nothing at the gate and has sold out every year since 2022; Blackheath is expected to sell out. Coram’s Fields works without booking, on a queue basis. Source: Richmond FC.
Is there a show on the Thames on 5 November?
We found no official one for 5 November 2026. The big river fireworks are the New Year’s Eve ones.
Can I set off my own fireworks?
Not in the Royal Parks. Elsewhere, the law bans fireworks between 11pm and 7am, with an exemption until midnight on 5 November. As a visitor, an organised show is the better option. Source: Time Out.
Do I need an ETA to visit London if I am not from the UK?
Many non-British visitors need either a visa or an ETA, the electronic travel authorisation, plus a valid passport. British and Irish citizens do not need one. Check the fee and conditions on gov.uk, and read our ETA guide. Source: GOV.UK.
Sources
- Coram’s Fields: Fireworks Night 2026, programme, access rule and Fast-Track
- Richmond FC: Family Fireworks Night 2026, times, ticketing, rules
- Time Out: Alexandra Palace fireworks and drone show 2026, prices and programme
- Time Out: Blackheath fireworks tickets 2026, prices and capacity
- Battersea Park Fireworks, dates and ticketing
- See Tickets: Wimbledon and Morden Park fireworks, sessions
- Time Out: Stow Firework Spectacular, prices and programme
- Time Out: where to see Bonfire Night fireworks (2024), vantage points
- Royal Parks: Primrose Hill closures and weekend closures
- Tower Hamlets Slice: fireworks in east London
- Time Out: legal hours for fireworks
- GOV.UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Planomato: Lewes Bonfire guide 2026
Information consulted on 6 October 2026. Times, prices and access rules may change: confirm them on the organiser’s page before you go.
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