29 September 2026

Bonfire Night celebrations without the bang!

Think about the best Bonfire Nights you’ve attended or hosted. Was it really just the fireworks at the very end that made the whole night memorable? Or were the fireworks a fantastic conclusion to an already spectacular night? The best bonfire nights are about the atmosphere, the build-up, the anticipation. What you do while you wait for the night to get dark and the fireworks to end it all. The energy in the music, the smell of barbecue and roasting sugar, the games you play with your friends and family, the flickering light from the bonfire. That makes the real fun.

You don’t need big bangs to have a brilliant night! Follow this guide to host a low noise display, and protect the anmals in your local area.

Preparing for a low-noise display

Choosing the right fireworks - there are lots of low-noise options out there but you want to make sure they’re quality and actually low noise.

Read more from fireworks specialist James on how to find the right ones.
Spotify Playlist - A great low noise display needs music to bring it all together; you could stick to one playlist for the whole evening or use another one exclusively for the display. Make a playlist tailored to your night or skip the search and use ours!

Here is a playlist we’ve created that you could use!

Planning the party!

All the important things you need to make this a low-noise display to remember.

Bonfire - a bonfire helps set the tone for a fireworks display (please don't forget to always check for hibernating hedgehogs!) If your garden is small a fire pit can be just as enjoyable.
Hot Drink Station - what is a bonfire night without the smell of spiced mulled wine or a cream moustache from your hot chocolate with marshmallows?
The Feast
- A barbecue never misses - an Autumn celebration is the perfect excuse to get the BBQ going.
- S’mores aren’t just for the Americans - roasted marshmallows with some chocolate sandwiched between some digestives make for the perfect bonfire treat.
- Baked potatoes wrapped in foil cooked in the ashes makes the most of that free heat!
- Revive traditional Bonfire Night offerings such as a cup of mushy peas or scrummy parkin cake. Are there any other recipes traditional in your family or local area?
Games and Activities
- See who can draw the best mid air picture with their sparkler!
- Make a Guy Fawkes - small or large, which family member does your Guy most look like?
- Pub-style quiz - why not put together some seasonal questions. We've got five below to start you off!
  - In what year did Guy Fawkes and his gang plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament in their failed Gunpowder Plot? (Answer: 1605)
  - Which pop star had a hit in 2010 with ‘Firework’ (Answer: Katy Perry)
  - What do musician Bryan Adams, TV personality Kris Jenner and actor Luke Hemsworth have in common? (Answer: their birthdays are on 5^th November)
  - Which composer wrote ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ in 1749? (Answer: Handel)
  - Which Hollywood Tom starred in the 1990 film ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’? (Answer: Tom Hanks)

Hosting a low-noise bonfire night is not about having a fun-free night. It’s about knowing your own fun is less likely to hurt or upset anyone - whether that's horses, pets, children, or neighbours. We hope you have a great time!