By Lucie Weston, Community Deputy Editor
With the Shrek makeup barely scrubbed off from Halloween and Christmas still a long way away, November to many students can feel like little more than a month of deadlines and darkening evenings. Luckily, Bonfire Night in Bristol offers far more than just a single night of fireworks to cheer you up.
Between the 1st and 7th of November, Bristol has fun events for everyone, from dramatic firework displays, huge bonfires and funfairs to marshmallow toasting or simply watching the fireworks from a fancy rooftop over the city’s skyline. The best part is, many of these activities do not require you break the bank to take part in them!
Looking for an award-winning firework display? The Bristol Fireworks Fiesta offers exactly this. Organised by the winners of the 2023 British Firework Championships, this display will take part in Canford Park on the 7th of November as a charity event. For £12, you can enjoy music, games, food and drink stalls and even a post-firework ‘foam party'. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as they sell out each year!
Whether you prefer festivals or are simply in the mood for a different kind of night out, then the Downend Round Table Fireworks on the 6th of November is the place for you. Expect a live DJ, stage entertainment, a massive bonfire, a fireworks show and, of course, another ‘foam party’ (these are evidently quite popular in Bristol). This event is definitely one to remember! Tickets are £11 and all proceeds go to charity.
Personally, there’s nothing I love more than a rooftop bar, so if you’re feeling fancy this bonfire night, why not indulge in visiting the Clifton Observatory rooftop terrace for their Bonfire Night party? Offering stunning views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge, you can admire the fireworks over Bristol’s skyline. You also get access to an exclusive fire performance, a welcome drink and a live DJ. From £20, these events will be running from the 5th to the 7th of November. This might be the closest any of us will get to imagining we own our own private castle.
Prefer low-noise fireworks? Head to Old Down Country Park on the 5th of November. With marshmallow toasting areas, bars, food stalls and fairground rides, it’s basically Christmas without the snow and the humbling attempt at ice-skating where you fall down 15 times.
For the budget-conscious (i.e. all of us), one of my favourite places is the Victoria Park bonfire in Bedminster. As a completely free event, starting at 18:30 on the 5th of November, you make your way into the heart of the park where a huge bonfire will have been prepared. You’ll get a lovely sense of Bristol’s local community and honestly, the hot dogs from the food stalls are worth the trip alone.
Milan Perera
It's clear that especially as students, not everything Bonfire Night related has to cost money. If anything, some of the best moments are spent huddled with friends on top of Brandon Hill, hot chocolate in one hand and a drink in the other, watching the fireworks in the distance. Be warned however: everyone you have ever met will be there too. Make sure to get there early for a good spot and bring your biggest scarf and some hand warmers because it can get pretty chilly!
Several other free viewpoints you could consider are Bedminster Down, Dundry Hill and the Clifton Downs - why not try one of these?
Featured Image: Epigram / Lucie Weston
Where will you go for Bonfire Night this year?
