Lewes Bonfire SocietiesLewes Bonfire

Lewes stages what it calls the biggest celebrated Fifth of November event in the world, held on the night itself, 5 November each year. Six bonfire societies mount separate torchlit processions through the narrow Sussex streets, each with its own costumes, banners and fire site, culminating in bonfires and firework displays around the edges of the town. The atmosphere is unlike anything else in the UK and worth experiencing at least once. But this is a demanding night out: tens of thousands descend, roads close from early afternoon, rail access is heavily restricted and trains often do not stop at Lewes at all in the evening, and burning tar barrels and dense crowds make it genuinely unsuitable for pushchairs and young children. Go for the tradition, plan meticulously, and treat the fireworks as one part of a much bigger spectacle.