Every year, we remember the Gunpowder Plot by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire and lighting fireworks.
A number of organised displays will take place across Berkshire over the coming weeks and we have listed as many as we can below.
If your display is missing, please email us at events@wokingham.today
And, if you are holding your own display, please remember to follow the Firework Code
ROSPA says that young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
- Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Saturday, October 28
Henley Spooktacular Bonfire & Fireworks
The Henley Showground is the venue for this display that promises to be sensory-friendly. There will be a light show choreographed to spine-chilling music, as well as lower-noise fireworks and a bonfire.
A fancy dress costume contest will see the winner receive £100 and have the chance to light the bonfire.
Other attractions include a fairground, games and refreshments.
Tickets are £14 for over 16s, £8 for children aged three to 15, and free for under twos. Family tickets for two adults and two children are £40, and £35 for one adult and three children. On the gate, adult tickets are £20, and children are £10. No family tickets are available on the gate. There are discounts available for large group bookings, available by contacting the organisers via the website.
For more details, log on to: http://www.henleyspooktacular.co.uk/
Sandhurst Fireworks
A bit of a rarity this one: a free entry event. Organised by Sandhurst Town Council, it takes place in the Memorial Park from 5pm. There will be a fun fair and inflatables, hot food stands and live entertainment to get people in the mood for the firework display itself, which launches at 7.30pm. Afterwards, Hudson’s Choice will play.
Organisers hope everyone attending will walk, but there is a car park available with a fee of £5.
Disabled car parking will be available until 7pm.
For more details, log on to www.sandhurst.gov.uk
Swallowfield Spooky Sparks In The Park
The annual event is moving to Swallowfield Showground in the Farley Estate, and this year it has a spooky theme.
There will be live music, a hog roast, pizza, burgers and hotdogs, and other refreshments as well as the firework display.
The event usually sells out in advance. Tickets cost £12 for over 16s, £7 for children, and under twos get in free. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £30.
For more details, or to book, log on to: https://sparksinthepark.net/
Twyford Fireworks
The annual Twyford and District Round Table display takes place, as ever, in King George V Playing Field off Loddon Hall Road.
Gates open at 6.30pm, with the usual funfair offering a host of rides for all ages to enjoy. There will also be a barbecue, hot chocolate and other refreshment stalls.
The firework display, which this year has a theme of space, will start around 7.30pm, and the bonfire will be lit afterwards.
The team have asked people to name their favourite Disney villain, with the most popular ending up on top of the bonfire.
Tickets cost £7 in advance, £4 for youths and seniors and £1 for children, with a £1 surcharge on the gate.
For more details, log on to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/twyfordroundtable/961627/r/facebook-2023
Thursday, November 2
Renegade Brewery fireworks display with doughnuts
Subject to weather conditions, the Yattendon brewery is planning on holding a fireworks display in its tap yard. Doors open at 5pm with the display at 7pm. There will be hot and cold drinks, hot dogs and, thanks to Crazy Dayz, doughnuts all available to purchase. Tickets cost £10, £5 for ages five to 17, and £23 for a family of two adults and two children. These are non-refundable.
For more details, or to book, log on to: www.renegadebrewery.co.uk
Friday, November 3
Earley St Peter’s School Association display
This year’s annual event will take place in Sol Joel Park. As in previous years, there will be stalls serving food and drink, including popcorn candy floss, sweets and burgers. Adults will appreciate a bar, while children will be able to stock up on glow sticks and other novelties.
Due to licensing restrictions, there will not be a bonfire.
Gates open from 6pm, with fireworks from 7pm.
The best value Earlybird Ticket for up to 2 Adults (Age 16+) and up to 3 Children (Age 4+), arriving together is £22; other advance tickets cost £8 for adults and £4.50 for a child. On the night, tickets will cost £10 for adults and £5 for a child.
Details: http://www.pta-events.co.uk/espsa
Reading Fireworks
Sadly, Reading Lions are unable to hold a fireworks event this year.
For more details, or to book, log on to www.readinglionsfireworks.org.uk
1st Woodley Scouts at Rivermead Primary School
Members of the 1st Woodley Scout Group will hold a display at Rivermead Primary School on Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley.
Gates open at 6.15pm, and people can purchase refreshments and glow products before the display.
Advance tickets, until Thursday, November 2, cost £12.50, £7.30 for children aged three to 16, and £26 for a family – a group of either two adults and three children, or one adult and up to four children. No family tickets will be sold on the gate.
For more details, log on to: https://1stwoodley.co.uk/fundraising/fireworks/
1st Shinfield St Mary’s Scout Group
The Scout group is holding a bonfire and fireworks event in the evening of Friday, November 3. Doors open at 6.40pm, with the bonfire starting at 7pm and the fireworks show taking place at 7.30pm, which is expected to run for approximately 25 minutes.
Tickets are £6, with under fives going for free. All proceeds go to the continued running of the scout group and its community activities. These include church and care home visits, as well as litter picks.
The event takes place at the group’s HQ at 33 Hyde End Road. No dogs or personal fireworks or sparklers allowed.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2yamhc87
Saturday, November 4
Ascot Racecourse Fireworks spectacular family race day
A day of racing, followed by a UV disco, a fairground with dodgems, clip clop pony rides, mini jets and more. Rides free before 4pm, £1 per go afterwards, with proceeds going to charity.
Racing from 10.45am to 5.30pm. Fireworks from 6pm. Under 18s free, adults from £30.
Firework only tickets from 4pm, £8, £6 for children, under fives free.
Details: www.ascot.co.uk or 01344 346 3000, or www.ascotfireworks.org.uk
Cookham Dean Village Club bonfire night
The event will be held on the Old Cricket Common, opposite the village hall, between 5pm and 8pm.
A lantern parade will take place from 6.30pm – lanterns can be purchased on the night. The bonfire is lit at 7pm, with a 15-minute firework display at 7.15pm.
Food and drink will be available to buy. Entry is by a suggested donation of £20 per family.
For more details, log on to www.cookham.com
Fleet Lions Fireworks Fiesta
Fireworks are returning for this, its 50th anniversary. There will be fireworks, food stalls, children’s items to buy, and a bar. Free parking in Victoria Road car park from 4pm to 8pm. Gates 5pm, fireworks 6.30pm. Adults £7, children £3, families £17, plus a £1.20 booking fee.
Takes place at Calthorpe Park, Fleet GU51 4AB.
Details at tickets: www.fleetlions.org.uk
Oaklands Primary School, Crowthorne
The school’s fireworks display will include refreshments and a barbecue.
Gates open at 5pm, with the display at 6.30pm. Advance tickets are £8.38, £6.29 for under 18s, free for under twos. Family tickets for four are £26.20, and £31.44 for five (two adults and three children). Prices include a booking fee.
For more details or to book, log on to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/oaklands-schools-pta
Pangbourne Fireworks Fiesta
Pangbourne Primary School, Kennedy Drive RG8 7LB. Gates 5.30pm, bonfire 6pm, display 7pm. Hot food, bar, mulled wine, stalls, chocolate tombola, and more. In aid of Pangbourne Primary PTA. Advance tickets (before October 31): £3.50 under 15s, £9 over 16s, £22 family ticket. After October 31: £4.50 under 15s, £11 over 16s, £28 family ticket. Under 16s must be accompanied. Details: fopps.org.uk
Wokingham Fireworks 2023
Procession from Broad Street at 6.15pm, fireworks at Cantley from 7.30pm
The annual event returns to Wokingham and will be as in previous years: the torchlit procession will make its way from Market Place, through Milton Road and down to Cantley Field. A fairground will be in operation, while food vendors will feed the crowds. The gates open at 5.30pm, with fireworks take place from approximately 7.30pm and a bonfire will be on afterwards. Tickets cost £8 and £1 for under sevens. They are only available in advance – not on the gate. Details: www.wokingham-fireworks.co.uk
Woodley and Earley Lions display
Taking place once again in Laurel Park, the event will be partially organised by Laurel Park Football Club.
There will be a 20-minute high impact firework and music display to enjoy as well as entertainment and stalls.
Entry is £10, £5 for under 14s and free for children if they are pushed or carried. Gates open at 5pm for a 7pm start.
To book, log on to: https://www.charity-hub.co.uk/laurelparkfireworks/
Yateley fireworks
Yateley & District Lions Club and Westfields Junior School are teaming up for this family-friendly display. There will not be a bonfire this year, and personal fireworks and sparklers are not allowed on site.
Gates open at 5.30pm, with the fireworks at 7pm, and it takes place at the school, in School Lane, Yateley.
Advance tickets are available until Friday, November 3, and cost £5, or £2 for children aged four to 16. Prices increase by £1 after that cut-off point, and it is card payment only at the gates.
For more details, or to book, log on to: https://yateleylions.co.uk/event/fireworks-2023/
Sunday, November 5
The Club at Mapledurham – SOLD OUT
Here’s an event that is so popular, it has already sold out. The Club at Mapledurham is holding an event that will run from 4pm to 10pm. The bonfire is lit at 6pm with fireworks at 7pm.
For more information, log on to: https://www.theclubatmapledurham.com/
Gorse Glow Show
Gorse Ride Schools PTA is organising a laser light show suitable for families. Organisers promise no noise and loud bangs, just a good display set to favourite movie tunes. Gates open at 4.45pm, and there will be glow sticks, hot dogs, sweet treats and refreshments available. A Glow Stick Disco starts at 5.45pm, with a laser light show at 6pm.
It takes place at the school, who will benefit from the proceeds.
Parking is limited, and organisers encourage people to walk where possible.
Tickets are £5.50 for adults and £3.50 for chidlren, with under twos getting in free.
For more details, or to book, log on to: pta-events.co.uk/grspta
Friday, November 10
Wildmoor Heath PTA No Bangs Fireworks Display
This is the school’s first time organising a No Bangs Firework display, aimed at those who enjoy the spectacle but don’t want the noise. The fireworks display will be set to a Disney soundtrack.
A range of glowing goodies can be bought and hot dogs, sausage rolls and candy floss can be purchased.
Gates open at 6pm, with the display at 6.45pm. Tickets cost £4 and group tickets of up to four people are £15, all plus a booking fee.
The school is in Lower Broadmoor Road in Crowthorne.
For more details, or to book, log on to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/berkshire/wildmoor-heath-school/no-bang-firework-display/2023-11-10/18:00/t-eazypnr
Saturday, November 11
Owlsmoor Primary School, Sandhurst
The primary school’s PTA is holding its fireworks event in the afternoon and early evening of Saturday, November 11. Gates are at 3pm, with the show at 5.30pm.
Tickets have to be purchased in advance and are £5, or £18 for a family of four plus a booking fee. No sparklers allowed.
For more details, log on to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-mojyagd
Saturday, November 18
The Coombes PTA Laserworks Winter Festival
The Coombes Primary School’s PTA is back with another Laserworks Winter Festival, which will take place on Saturday, November 18. The event will see the Arborfield sky lit up, not with fireworks, but with a Disney-themed laser show. Organisers have added a winter fair to the event, with families now able to enjoy stalls, games, food and a free silent disco.
The event runs from 3pm-5pm at The Coombes Primary School, Arborfield Cross. Tickets are £5 and free for children aged three and under.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit: app.classlist.com/events/#/events/view/957220820
