When is Bonfire Night 2026?
35
days until Bonfire Night, Thursday 5 November 2026
That's 5 weeks and 0 days.
It's Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night, also called Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, is on 5 November every year. In 2026 that is a Thursday, a school and work night. It is not a bank holiday.
Bonfire Night dates to 2030
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 November | Thursday |
| 2027 | 5 November | Friday |
| 2028 | 5 November | Sunday |
| 2029 | 5 November | Monday |
| 2030 | 5 November | Tuesday |
When 5 November falls midweek, many organised displays move to a weekend. In 2026 the nearest are Saturday 31 October, which is also Halloween, and Saturday 7 November. Check your council or local display organiser for the exact night.
Firework rules and times
These rules come from GOV.UK and cover England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland set some of their own firework rules, so check mygov.scot or nidirect if you live there.
| Night | Fireworks allowed until |
|---|---|
| Most nights | 11pm (none before 7am) |
| Bonfire Night, 5 November | Midnight |
| New Year's Eve, Diwali, Chinese New Year | 1am |
Registered sellers can sell fireworks to the public from 15 October to 10 November, from 26 to 31 December, and for the three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times only licensed shops can sell them. You must be 18 to buy adult fireworks, and it is illegal to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places. Breaking the rules can mean an on-the-spot fine of £90, or an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.
In 2026 Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November, three days after Bonfire Night, so expect a second weekend of fireworks with the later 1am limit.
Why 5 November?
The date marks the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of Catholic conspirators planned to blow up the House of Lords at the State Opening of Parliament and kill James I. Guy Fawkes was caught guarding the gunpowder in a cellar under the Lords in the early hours of 5 November. An Act of Parliament in 1606 made the day an annual thanksgiving; bonfires and, later, fireworks became the way it was marked.
More countdowns
Next up after Bonfire Night: Christmas and New Year. Plan the week around 5 November on the 2026 calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonfire Night a bank holiday?
No. Bonfire Night is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK, so 5 November is a normal working and school day.
What time do fireworks have to stop on Bonfire Night?
Midnight. On most nights in England and Wales fireworks must stop at 11pm, but the limit is extended to midnight on 5 November.
When can you buy fireworks for Bonfire Night?
Registered sellers can sell fireworks from 15 October to 10 November. Outside the permitted periods, only licensed shops can sell them.
What day is Bonfire Night 2027?
Bonfire Night 2027 is on Friday 5 November.