Kent fireworks displays and bonfire nights in 2024

Wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate and watch the skies light up with fantastic fireworks.

Bonfire night is back with a bang and we’ve rounded up the best displays coming to Kent in 2024, from jaw-dropping spectaculars to local charity and school events…

ASHFORD RUGBY CLUB: It’s a rugby club, so expect plenty of real ale behind the bar. Grab yourself a pint and a tasty hot snack from the food stalls and get ready to watch this year’s display.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Ashford Rugby Club. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 7pm. Book tickets here.

BRANDS HATCH: It’s the end of the racing season at Brands Hatch, but it’s going out on a high with a weekend of high-octane races and spectacular fireworks. After a day at the British Truck Racing Championship, sit back and watch the nighttime display, accompanied by a twilight convoy of show trucks.

Details: Sunday, November 3 at Brands Hatch at West Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks. Fireworks start at 5.15pm. Book tickets here.

BRENCHLEY MEMORIAL HALL: Bring some spare change because the kids are sure to ask for one of the flashing wands or colourful glow sticks on sale at this year’s fireworks show. There will also be a smokey BBQ to go with the bonfire, as well as a bar selling hot and cold drinks.

Details: Friday, November 8 at Brenchley Memorial Hall near Tonbridge. Gates open at 5.30pm, display starts at 7pm. Book tickets here.

CENTRAL PARK: Dartford’s annual display, hosted by the Dartford Lions Clubs, starts off with a flickering bonfire to get everyone in the mood. There’s also fairground rides for the kids and some hot drinks on sale to keep you warm while you wait for the main event.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Central Park in Dartford. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 8pm. Book tickets here.

COPPERFIELD ACADEMY: This annual display returns to light up the skies above Gravesend once again. This year, it all comes with a children’s funfair, inflatables and food and drink stalls.

Details: Thursday, November 7 at Copperfield Academy in Gravesend. Gates open at 4.30pm, display starts at 8pm. Book tickets here.

CORNWALLIS ACADEMY: It’s one of Kent’s biggest school fireworks displays, and there’s plenty in store to keep crowds entertained. There will be snacks from the Italian-inspired PastaFest and Indian street food truck Tikka Tango, as well as the usual burger van and sweet treats like candyfloss and doughnuts. The evening also features live music from singer-songwriter Jayne Snow and fairground rides.

Details: Friday, November 8 at Cornwallis Academy in Maidstone. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 8pm. Book tickets here.

DUNORLAN PARK: This musical display is all set to a great soundtrack and will see fireworks blast off in a choreographed routine. Before the display begins, visitors can enjoy music from Mint DJs and the Rockchoir.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells. Gates open at 5.30pm, display starts at 7pm. Book tickets here.

EDENBRIDGE RECREATION GROUND: One of the biggest bonfire night events in the country is hosted in Edenbridge. It all starts with a torchlit carnival procession through the town before the two 11-metre-tall effigies are lit in the park - one is Guy Fawkes and the other is a mystery celebrity figure. Then, there will be a traditional fireworks display with food stalls and bars.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Edenbridge Recreation Ground. Gates open at 6pm, display starts at 8.30pm. Book tickets here.

HEXTABLE PARK: This free event has become a favourite with the local village. It returns this year and, while the finer details are still being ironed out, crowds can expect another packed-out night. In the past, the event has set its displays to music from Disney films and the Greatest Showman.

Details: Friday, November 8 at Hextable Park near Swanley. Timings to be confirmed. Entry is free.

LEEDS CASTLE: The spectacular display at Leeds Castle is one of the biggest in the county. The two-day event includes not only colourful fireworks but also projections, lasers and music. Throughout the day, there will be live performers, street food stalls and fairground rides to get everyone in the party spirit.

Details: Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10 at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone. Gates open at 2pm, display starts at 5.30pm. Book tickets here.

LYDDEN HILL: After a series of supercars race around the track for the thrilling final rounds of the 5 National British Rallycross Championship, Lydden Hill will be lit up for its annual fireworks night. The 15-minute display comes with plenty of family-friendly activities, including face painting, UV mini golf, bouncy castles, firebreathers and a funfair.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Lydden Hill in Wootton, near Dover. Gates open at 7.30am, display starts at 5.45pm. Book tickets here.

MAIDSTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL: There will be glowsticks and candyfloss for the kids to enjoy before this year’s 30-minute display. The fireworks will be set to music and there will also be food stalls and bars for the adults to pick up some treats.

Details: Saturday, November 9 at Maidstone Grammar School. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 7pm. Book tickets here.

MEDWAY YACHT CLUB: Find a great spot near the water and watch the dazzling display. There will be a cosy bonfire before the fireworks crackle and pop in the skies above the River Medway.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Medway Yacht Club. Gates open at 6pm. Book tickets here.

PADDOCK WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL: This bonfire night all kicks off with a set from local pop-rock band The Polygons. There will also be popcorn and candyfloss, hot food from vendors, a bar, a tombola and a raffle.

Details: Saturday, November 9 at Paddock Wood Primary School. Gates open at 4pm, display starts at 5.30pm. Book tickets here.

QUEX PARK: This bonfire celebration is packed with performances, from walkabout characters to fire dancers and Disney music. There’s also not one, but two, fireworks displays, with the first explosive event taking place at dusk and then, just a couple of hours later, the grand display takes to the skies.

Details: Saturday, November 2 at Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Gates open at 3pm, displays start at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Book tickets here.

RACECOURSE SPORTS GROUND: This event, produced by Sevenoaks’ Phoenix Fireworks, returns to Tonbridge with a fully choreographed production set to ‘80s and ‘90s anthems. There will not only be glittering fireworks but also flamers and lighting effects.

Details: Sunday, November 3 at the Racecourse Sports Ground in Tonbridge. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 6.30pm. Book tickets here.

REUTHE’S: Browse the miniature market with stalls from local traders, tuck into street food, warm up with a hot drink and enjoy the annual bonfire night. There will also be bars selling mulled wine and cider and a range of beer to sip while you watch the fireworks.

Details: Saturday, November 9 at Reuthe’s in Sevenoaks. Gates open at 3pm, display starts at 6.30pm. Book tickets here.

SPITFIRE GROUND: The home of Kent Cricket will be throwing another sensational bonfire night event this November. There will be fairground rides, live music from party band FNKHAUS and a spectacular display set against the backdrop of the ground. It’ll all be hosted by our very own Garry and Chelsea from kmfm Breakfast.

Details: Tuesday, November 5 at the Spitfire Ground St Lawrence in Canterbury. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 7.15pm. Book tickets here.

VIKING BAY: The beautiful beach at Broadstairs will be illuminated by a free fireworks display this autumn. Crowds can gather early to watch rock band The SuperMicks on the bandstand above the bay before the display begins.

Details: Tuesday, November 5 at Viking Bay in Broadstairs. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 6pm. Entry is free.