Find your nearest fireworks displays and bonfire nights in Kent in 2023
05:00, 11 September 2023
updated: 08:54, 03 November 2023
Get ready to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the fireworks that will be lighting up Kent’s skies this bonfire night.
From family-friendly displays to show-stopping spectaculars, we’ve got your guide to this year’s fireworks extravaganzas.
BRANDS HATCH, Longfield
Seeing out the weekend racing event with a bang, the Brands Hatch Truck Racing and Fireworks is back. There will be two days of headline races from the British Truck Racing Championship and, on the Sunday, there’s a bonfire night with an after-dark truck convoy and fireworks spectacular.
Details: Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 at Brands Hatch Circuit in West Kingsdown, near Longfield. Book online here.
CENTRAL PARK, Dartford
The town’s Central Park will once again be hosting the Dartford Lions Club fireworks night this November. This year, the gates open from 5pm, with a bonfire keeping guests warm from 7:15pm and the fireworks display starting at 8pm.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Central Park in Dartford. Book online here.
COPPERFIELD ACADEMY, Gravesend
Kick off bonfire weekend early with this weeknight display. There will be a children’s funfair set up for the evening, which will be open from 4:30pm until 9pm, so there’s plenty of time to get your rides in before or after the fireworks at 7pm.
Details: Thursday, November 2 at Northfleet School for Girls near Gravesend. Book online here.
CORNWALLIS ACADEMY, Maidstone
One of the biggest school displays in the county will return this November. Cornwallis Academy will once again put on a huge event for visitors including a hog roast, candyfloss, fairground, live music and, of course, a professional fireworks finale.
Details: Friday, November 3 at Cornwallis Academy in Maidstone. Book online here.
DANSON PARK, Bexleyheath
Find a spot in the park and watch fireworks explode over the lake. For the 61st year, the charity display at Danson Park will be back with stalls from local traders, food and drink, fairground rides for children and live music. The 20-minute fireworks display will also be choreographed to music.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Danson Park in Bexleyheath, near Dartford. Book online here.
DUNORLAN PARK, Tunbridge Wells
This year’s display will feature stalls selling food, drink and produce from local traders, including sweet treats from Crumbs and Treacle. Last year the annual fireworks event attracted 8,000 visitors, so a big turnout is expected again this November.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Dunorlan Park at Tunbridge Wells. Ticket details are yet to be announced for this year.
FARRIERS ARMS, Ashford
This community pub is known for its annual display, and this year is set to be no different with not one, but two, spectacular nights of festivities planned. The first event is a family-friendly, low-noise visual display on the Friday, while the traditional bonfire lighting and full-blown fireworks display will take place on the Saturday.
Details: Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4 at the Farriers Arms in Ashford. Book online here.
GEORGE INN, near Sittingbourne
Start the celebrations in the afternoon with a live performance from Kent-based band Hullabaloo. The live music starts from 3pm and then, later in the evening, a free professional display will take place. There will also be snacks and drinks available from the pub.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at the George Inn at Newnham, between Faversham and Sittingbourne. Entry is free, no need to book.
KENT LIFE, Maidstone
Grab your glow sticks and dance the night away at Kent Life’s ‘80s-themed fireworks extravaganza. There will be iconic hits from the decade blasted out loud as the display lights up the skies. There will also be fairground rides for kids, as well as a licensed bar and food stalls.
Details: Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 at Kent Life in Maidstone. Book online here.
LEEDS CASTLE, Maidstone
One of the county’s biggest displays will be wowing crowds at this historic castle over the bonfire weekend. The fireworks will be set off to soundtracks from your favourite movies, along with show-stopping projections and lasers. There will also be themed food and drink and a family funfair.
Details: Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 at Leeds Castle in Broomfield, near Maidstone. Book online here.
LYDDEN HILL, near Canterbury
This circuit will be finishing off the final rounds of the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship with a sensational display for the whole family. The 10-minute fireworks display start as soon as the races finish, which is expected to be around 5:45pm.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Lydden Hill in Wootton, near Canterbury. Book online here.
MAUNDENE SCHOOL, Chatham
This Medway school is pulling out all the stops for their fireworks display. There will be a BBQ and sweet treats such as candyfloss to tuck into, along with fairground rides and glow toys for the kids to enjoy.
Details: Friday, November 3 at Maundene School in Chatham. Book online here.
ORPINGTON GOLF CLUB, Orpington
Take in the picturesque setting and soak up the atmosphere created by the live DJ before the display blasts off. There will be hot dogs, burgers, candyfloss and popcorn, as well as a bar selling soft and alcoholic drinks, which you can enjoy before watching the fireworks at 7:30pm.
Details: Friday, November 3 at Orpington Golf Club in Orpington, near Bromley. Book online here.
PADDOCK WOOD PRIMARY, near Tonbridge
This early evening display will feature not only stunning fireworks but also live music from local band The Patinas, hot food, candy floss, drinks and a tombolo and raffle. Doors will open at 4pm and the main display is at 5:30pm.
Details: Sunday, November 5 at Paddock Wood Primary Academy in Paddock Wood, near Tonbridge. Book online here.
PALACE FARM, near Sittingbourne
Grab your kid-friendly sparklers from the safe sparkler zone and help light up the skies as this much-loved village display returns. There will be burgers and drinks for sale, and the main display kicks off at 7pm.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Palace Farm in Doddington, near Sittingbourne. Book online here.
RACECOURSE SPORTSGROUND, Tonbridge
Returning for its fifth year, this large display has attracted crowds of more than 5,000 in the past. This year, visitors can expected a fully choreographed display set to rock music along with a stunning aerial display of LED RC planes that will entertain crowds until the fireworks begin at 6:30pm.
Details: Sunday, November 5 at the Racecourse Sportsground in Tonbridge. Book online here.
RECREATION GROUND, Edenbridge
It’s one of the most famous bonfires in the country thanks to its burning effigies. Each year, the Edenbridge Bonfire picks at least one notable celebrity to turn into an 11ft tall burning ‘Guy’ that gets lit during the event. There’s also fireworks, music and a parade that marches through the town. This year’s celebrity figures are still yet to be announced.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at the High Street and Recreation Ground in Edenbridge. Further details are yet to be announced but can be found online here.
REUTHES, Sevenoaks
This stunning garden is hosting two special events this year. For visitors who are coming on Fireworks Night, there will be a child-friendly bonfire – ideal if your family aren’t fans of loud noises – with a DJ, kid’s games and an alpaca meet. The following weekend, there will be a full fireworks display with live bands, food and drink.
Details: Child-friendly bonfire takes place on Sunday, November 5 at Reuthes The Lost Garden in Sevenoaks. Fireworks display will take place on Saturday, November 11. Book online here.
SPITFIRE GROUND, Canterbury
The city’s biggest fireworks display is coming back this November. The Kent Cricket fireworks often include a funfair, music, food and drink and, while details are still yet to be confirmed for this year’s event, we do know that our very own Garry and Chelsea from kmfm Breakfast will be hosting the evening’s festivities.
Details: Sunday, November 5 at the Spitfire Ground St Lawrence in Canterbury. Ticket details to announced soon on the Kent Cricket website.
QUEX PARK, Birchington-on-Sea
This annual fireworks display is under new management this year, so expect some exciting new touches. The fireworks will be lighting up the coastal park with the stunning Quex House and Powell-Cotton Museum as the backdrop. Tickets can be booked online here.
Details: Saturday, November 4 at Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Book tickets online.
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
The abandoned ‘ghost road’ that once took holidaymakers to the Kent coast
17 - 2
Motorway reopens after fuel spillage in collision
- 3
Dad who took cocaine on holiday still had drug in system when stopped by police
- 4
Rolexes and crypto: How dealer selling drugs from bedroom hid ‘massive profits’
18 - 5
Christmas events cancelled amid weather warning
2