Bonfire night ideas for organising a memorable event

Top tips and bonfire night ideas

Bonfire night decoration ideas

There are so many directions you can go with bonfire night decorations, but the most common would surely be a rustic, cosy, autumnal theme for sitting next to a crackling fire with friends and family. While the bonfire and dazzling fireworks will do most of the heavy lifting for setting the mood, you can’t forget about all the little bits that’ll give your event that extra sparkle:

• Will you provide a seating area for guests? If you have a food and drink zone, it might be wise to offer seating and table options, allowing guests to enjoy their scrumptious delights in comfort. You can decorate the tables with small candles or a recyclable tablecloth that fits your event’s colour palette.
• Fairy lights are perfect for adding to the atmosphere without overshadowing or making it difficult to see the fireworks. Wrap them around trees, on table legs, string them up above stalls – you can add a twinkle of lights wherever you see fit.
• Bunting can be used for every momentous occasion and bonfire night is no exception – just keep it away from any flammable areas.

Food and drink ideas for bonfire night

Depending on the size of your event, you may want to hire vendors to serve all sorts of tasty goodies or provide a few sweet treats yourself. While vendors will usually have their own set menus, search for local sellers who can provide warm drinks, hot food and toasty desserts – perfect for a November night! Some on-theme food and drink ideas can include:

• Hot chocolate station with all the toppings! An absolute favourite for children and adults to stay warm in the evening. And you can’t forget the marshmallows and whipped cream to make it extra special.
• Toffee apples are a classic treat for both bonfire night and Halloween, so if you’ve got any left over from a Halloween event, this is the perfect time to use them up. If toffee isn’t your cup of tea, you can even have variations including chocolate or cookie butter covered apples.
• Comfort foods are a brilliant option if you’re looking to serve a savoury meal. Anything hearty and crowd-pleasing will do the job, such as hot dogs and burgers or even jacket potatoes.

Bonfire night entertainment and activities

The fireworks show and bonfire are obviously the stars, but if you’re thinking about adding a few more activities and entertainment to your event, we’ve got you covered:

• Sparklers are great fun, especially for any older children attending! No one can resist writing their name in the air and seeing it fizzle away. However, you must ensure you have the correct license to sell sparklers since they’re classed as fireworks, as well as provide the appropriate disposal for them after use, such as buckets of water or sand.
• If you’re raising money for charity or holding a fundraiser, you could host a raffle with enticing prizes to be won! Whether they’re donated by a sponsor or contributed by the community, it’ll add some extra excitement to your event.
• Since we’re celebrating a historic event, it might be nice to have some fun facts or information about Guy Fawkes so guests can learn more about bonfire night or refresh their memory. Think posters, pictures or even a dedicated history stall.

How to plan a bonfire night party

You’ve got an idea of what you’d like your bonfire night event to look like – now comes the planning. It’s important to prepare thoroughly for a fireworks event and ensuring everybody’s safety is essential. You’ve also got to choose an appropriate location, plan the building of the bonfire itself, book licensed fireworks operators, sort out your stallholders and promote the event! There’s a lot to do before the day. To make it a little easier on you, we’ve compiled the ultimate checklist for organising a fireworks display to keep you on track. 

Bonfire night safety tips

Safety always comes first when hosting a bonfire night and fireworks event for you, your team and your guests. In order for your event to run smoothly, you must have safety precautions and plans in place on the off chance that something does go awry. Some top tips to remember include:

• Build the bonfire away from buildings, fences, trees and overhead cables and always check for animals before lighting it. You’ll want to ensure all your decorations are also a safe distance away, with an adult to supervise the bonfire at all times.
• Make sure crowds are well contained with barriers and stewards if necessary.
• Have a first aid station, clearly marked exits and ensure access for emergency vehicles is kept clear.
• Protect yourself with event insurance to cover accidents, cancellations or damage that could occur during the event.

For more detailed information about maintaining safety during your bonfire night event, take a look at our ultimate fireworks safety guide.

Do I need fireworks and bonfire insurance for my event?

We recommend protecting yourself with fireworks insurance when organising a bonfire night event and some venues will require you to be insured. At Event Insurance Servies, you’ll be covered for accidental damage, injuries or loss of property for anyone attending your event under our public liability insurance policy which includes liability arising from fireworks and a bonfire. If you have helpers or employees working at your event, you will be covered for claims under our employers liability policy.  We also offer insurance for event equipment and event cancellation, in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information or if you have any questions.