Free and affordable Bonfire Night activities

As the colder months close in and Halloween has had its day, Bonfire Night bookends the nation’s favourite autumn celebrations.

Perhaps you have a handful of Bonfire Night traditions already, or you’ve got little ones to entertain as Guy Fawkes Night approaches. But when it comes to fun things to do on Bonfire Night, it’s easy for days out and ticketed firework events to add up.

Fun-filled and frosty nights lit up by bonfires, fireworks, and illuminations don’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to make Bonfire Night entertaining while keeping things affordable, especially in the run-up to Christmas. In this guide, we’ll explore our top free and affordable Bonfire Night activities to help you ignite the excitement on a budget.

In this guide:

• When is Bonfire Night?
• What do people do on Bonfire Night?
• Free Bonfire Night activities for all ages 
• Affordable Bonfire Night activities for kids 
• Discover more resources to help you save

When is Bonfire Night?

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is on the 5th of November in the UK. “Remember, remember the fifth of November…”

The annual celebration commemorates the foiled Gunpowder Plot that took place in 1605, where one of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, was found and caught with 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the Palace of Westminster. Though Fawkes wasn’t the sole conspirator, the story of his capture and arrest forever became associated with the national event.

What do people do on Bonfire Night?

Harking back to the roots of the historical event, Guy Fawkes night is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires to represent the explosives that were never set alight by the plotters. Today, popular Guy Fawkes night activities include visiting local bonfire events and firework shows, lighting sparklers, and enjoying autumnal treats and snacks. But there’s plenty more fun to be had for those willing to get creative.

Six free Bonfire Night activities for all ages

Looking for simple and effective things to do on Bonfire Night that won’t push your budget? Make sure the sparks are flying with our list of free bonfire night activities for adventurers of all ages.

1. Find free fireworks displays near you

It might look like most firework displays charge entry these days, and while many do, there are plenty out there that you can attend for free. Here’s how to find them:

• Look for free-admission firework shows on websites such as Firework Displays and Eventbrite.
• Check your local council website for local firework and bonfire events.
• Scout local community newspapers and Facebook pages for nearby events.

2. Head out on a fireworks walk

One of our favourite money-saving tips we learned from our mothers is heading out on a fireworks walk! Whether your local area always puts on a show or you know somewhere that does, keep it simple away from the crowds with an evening walk nearby. Find a good spot somewhere and get cosy with lots of layers, snacks and a flask of something hot and comforting. Local community gardens, parks and car parks are a good place to start if you’re familiar with the area.

3. Lean into history at a free museum

If you’re keen on history, many museums get into the spirit of Bonfire Night with their own firework celebrations. Some events are free to enter, free for small children, or request a small donation suggestion.

So, if you’re celebrating Bonfire Night during the weekend, don’t forget to explore the ‘Events’ pages on your favourite museums’ websites. You can also check their social media to find out what activities may be coming up.

4. Check your local library or community centre for seasonal events

Many local libraries, community centres and pubs host seasonal events close to Bonfire Night. From storytelling and quizzes to craft nights and poetry readings, find out if your local community space is hosting any exciting events and activities to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.

5. Plan a scavenger hunt

Seasonal scavenger hunts are the perfect way to get a group of friends or family thinking and laughing together. Scavenger hunts can involve finding a list of objects indoors, finding landmarks and interesting places outdoors, or following a string of clues to reach a final destination.

Whether it’s a midweek adventure or a weekend event, there are various creative ways to set up a scavenger hunt for Bonfire Night, including:

• Planning a digital scavenger hunt, taking a photo of key items and attractions on the list
• Leaving clues for the group to find and follow to the next location
• Finding and collecting autumnal items on the trail
• Hiding and finding Bonfire Night items indoors

These Bonfire Night activities are popular for kids and grown-ups alike. To add to the friendly competition, set a time limit and challenge your group to finish the scavenger hunt before Guy Fawkes can complete the Gunpowder Plot.

6. Make it a movie night

Seasonal movie nights are an easy way to celebrate Bonfire Night at home while keeping costs low.  For family film nights, think autumnal picks like Fantastic Mr Fox, The Witches, the Harry Potter series, and You’ve Got Mail. For a more grown-up audience, you can’t go wrong with V for Vendetta, featuring a dystopian take on the Gunpowder Plot.

If you have a TV license, you can find free movies on streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and FreeviewPlay. You can also access free movies on ad-supported apps like Freevee and Pluto TV. Many public libraries also let you borrow DVDs for free, too.

If reading and audiobooks are more your style, make sure to explore our guide to free and cheap ways to read more books. You’ll find tips on where to find free ebooks and audiobooks from libraries and secure websites.

Eight affordable Bonfire Night activities for kids

Read on to explore our picks for free and affordable Bonfire Night activities for kids and families this November.

1. Free children’s farm days out

For a low-cost autumn day out leading up to Bonfire Night, check out local farms for a chance to meet barn animals and get some fresh air. Many family farms celebrate the changing seasons with pumpkin patches and seasonal activities. When exploring farm days out near you, check the entry fees online. Some may offer free entry, while others keep adult tickets low below £5.

2. Put on a Bonfire Night play

Whether you’re looking for ideas to entertain the family, or you’re planning a kids’ Bonfire Night party, why not expel some energy by getting theatrical? Get into the spirit of Guy Fawkes Night by helping your kids plan a homemade production of the Gunpowder Plot, or encourage them to make up their own Bonfire Night story.

When it comes to free and affordable props, everyday items like cardboard and cereal boxes make great homemade sets and props:

• Use cardboard toilet paper rolls as bonfire logs
• Make paper pinwheels for fireworks
• Create paper masks and use items of clothing to dress up
• Reach for flashlights, glow sticks and DIY paintings for explosions and bonfires

3. Light painting

If your kids love the way that sparklers create lingering pictures in the air, light painting is another great way to keep them busy without spending on pricey Bonfire Night tickets. Light painting involves taking long exposure photos while you write your name or draw pictures with the light source, capturing the picture in the photo.

You’ll need:

• A source of light (such as a torch, glow stick or sparkler)
• A camera with a long shutter setting (you can find long exposure settings and apps for smart phone cameras)
• A dark room or night sky

Cheap, cheerful, and impactful, light painting is one of our top Bonfire Night activities – and one your kids will never forget.

4. Fireworks painting

Find creative ways to celebrate Bonfire Night with arts and crafts at home. Challenge your kids and their friends to make the most amazing firework art using hand prints, finger prints, or leaf printing. We recommend watching the fireworks first and recalling all the different shapes and designs you saw together, then painting your favourites when you get home.

5. Foraging crafts

There are lots of ways to make your own Bonfire Night activities and crafts with the ordinary things you can find outside during autumn. Spend the afternoon foraging for a wide selection of twigs and different coloured autumn leaves, then make a bonfire picture out of your collection. Once you’re done, you can frame it and keep it as a seasonal family décor each year.

6. Apple bobbing

Apple bobbing is a classic autumn game and a top choice for Halloween and Bonfire Night activities for kids, where players use their teeth to grab apples out of water. All you need is a bowl or bucket of water and a few apples to kickstart the mayhem.

7. Bonfire Night bingo

Explore the fun themes of Bonfire Night for kids with classic games like bingo or eye spy. Make a grid of common Bonfire Night items and spectacles and see if you can cross them off as a family. This could include:

• Sparklers
• Bonfires
• Catherine wheels
• Rockets
• Toffee apples
• Fallen leaves
• Pine cones
• Conkers
• Acorns
• Stars

8. Make homemade Bonfire Night treats

Here’s a list of simple, low-cost recipes that can make Bonfire Night an event at home – with adult supervision:

• Toffee apples (you’ll need: apples, caster sugar, vinegar and golden syrup)
• Chocolate apples (you'll need: apples and melted chocolate)
• S’mores (you'll need: marshmallows and chocolate digestive biscuits)
• Cinder toffee/honeycomb (you’ll need: granulated sugar, golden syrup and bicarbonate of soda)
• Popcorn bars (you'll need: popcorn and honey or golden syrup)

Discover more resources to help you save

Whether you’re planning something cosy with your family or an evening with friends, there are lots of ways to embrace the festivities of Bonfire Night with free and budget-friendly activities.

For more ways to save on days out, just read our guide to low-cost activities for bank holiday weekends. Explore even more budgeting tips and money-saving guides on the Moneyboat blog, including advice on cheap places to get school uniforms and what you can get for free on your birthday.