Lewes Bonfire Night 2024 in England

The Lewes Bonfire is an annual celebration held in Lewes, Sussex, UK, and is the country's largest and most renowned Bonfire event. Taking place on November 5th, it commemorates the uncovering of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, also known as Guy Fawkes Night. In addition, the festival honors the memory of the 17 Protestant martyrs from Lewes who were burned during the Marian Persecutions.

Bonfire Societies

The Bonfire celebrations feature a series of torch-lit processions through the town. This year, six Bonfire Societies are participating, with around 3,000 people taking part in the processions and at the firesites. Additionally, about 30 more societies from other Sussex towns join in, parading through the streets of Lewes.

Events

To commemorate the 17 Lewes Martyrs, 17 burning crosses are carried through Lewes, and a wreath is placed at the town's War Memorial. A notable feature of the festivities is the "barrel run," where men and women pull flaming tar barrels along Cliffe High Street at the start of the evening. The barrels are then thrown into the River Ouse, symbolizing the magistrates' historic fate. The celebrations reach their climax with five spectacular bonfire displays.

Hours & Routes

The processions for Lewes Bonfire begin around 5 pm, with each Bonfire Society following its route. The grand procession, featuring five of the Lewes Bonfire Societies, starts around 9:00 pm. This grand procession, which can take about an hour to pass through the town, is followed by each society returning to its route, complete with its traditions, costumes, bonfires, fireworks, tableaux, and set pieces. Most activities at the bonfire sites commence around 9:45 pm, and the fireworks displays typically conclude by 11 pm.

Viewing Areas

First-time visitors are advised to start at the lower end of Cliffe High Street to watch the Cliffe Bonfire Society and South Street Bonfire Society processions. For a more relaxed experience with less crowding, consider staying near the Brewers Pub and further along, where you can view different Lewes Bonfire Societies at various times. Southover High Street is ideal for observing the Southover Bonfire Society's processions. For a comprehensive view of all the processions throughout the night, head to Lewes Cliffe Bridge, the Lewes War Memorial, or Lewes Town Hall.

Tickets

Most societies charge an entry fee of £10 for their bonfire sites. However, some do not charge for entry.

History of Lewes Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night on November 5th celebrates the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, where Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the House of Lords. The tradition started with a law requiring annual remembrance. In Lewes, early celebrations were chaotic but became more organized by the 1820s. Despite past riots and controversial practices, such as burning effigies of Pope Paul V, the event continues with ongoing debates about its cultural significance and historical practices.