What: Fireworks Festival When: The Saturday falling closest to November 5th (Guy Fawkes / Bonfire Night) Where: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
For: All ages - entertainment for all the family Gates Open: 4pm Cost: £15.50 advanced up to £18.50 closer to event (usually sells out) / additional activities available for extra cost (Bier Hall £20 / Ice Rink £18 / Film Showings £10). Prices as of 2022. Closest Tube: A number of options to choose from (see Arrival Tips & Orientation below) as well as Alexandra Palace Station using National Rail. Website: https://www.alexandrapalace.com/
Even more entertaining was the stereotypical reaction of a British cheering as fiery pallets tumbled down.
After a short hiatus due to COVID-19, the Alexandra Palace (colloquially known as "Ally Pally") Firework Festival returned on Saturday, 5th November 2022. An annual event with loads on offer for all ages - with activities ranging from a children's funfair, a stone's throw from a giant bonfire, to a food festival and music tent adjacent to the main house, as well as a German Bier Fest, Ice Rink, and Cinema. There's so much to do, on a range of budgets, meaning you can easily fill 3-4 hours here.
Everything that you need to know about the Festival can be found here.
Arrival Tips & Orientation - be prepared for some uphill climbs!
As you are reminded almost daily by email in the lead up to the festival, it's advised to time your arrival sensibly - with the main display starting at 8pm, gates can get busy in the hour beforehand. Have your tickets ready and prepare for bag checks on entry.
There are loads of public transport options (as you can see in the map above). If you're coming from the south, Gate 2 or Gate 6 are your best options for entry. A word of warning, Gate 2 entry equates to a bit of a steep, uphill trek to the Palace, where you'll have the best vantage points for the Firework Display. Gate 6 is ideal if you're with the kids, as it's a flat walk from the gate, through the Fun Fair and to the Bonfire.
On the Programme (2022)
Family Area and Bonfire
At the bottom of the hill from the Palace, or accessible directly from Gates 2 and 6 with minimal incline, is the Family Area and Bonfire. Sturdy footwear required - especially if damp underfoot - as this is a large, grass-based area.
If you can manouvre yourself towards the front of the crowd, you'll quickly heat up and be ready to set foot back into the melee that is reaching the summit [read: the Palace], where you'll get the absolute best views of the imminently Firework Display.
Streatlife Village
Unless you've booked any of the additional (at cost) activities, you'll likely spend the majority of your time in the Village - on offer is a covered "dancing" area, which also doubles up as excellent shelter from the rain, surrounded by a vast selection of food trucks and bars.
There are food trucks and bars surrounding a covered area, which should be a dancefloor but ultimately was a bit of a rain shelter. As the evening went on however, the good vibes grew, quite possible influenced by the appearance of none other than... Gok Wan on the decks (yup, seriously). This was after an epic performance by The Brass Funkeys (see video at bottom of this article).
The Main Event - Fireworks
Awesome tunes and a magnificent light display awaits as the main event gets into full swing:
It's busy getting to a viewing area but once you're there, there are plenty of viewing spots. Many people stay up on the main pathway in-front of the Palace. However, a short descent down the steps and onto the grass offers a bit of breathing space with views of both fireworks front and centre, but also laser display emanating from the Palace behind you.
Ice Rink, Cinema & German Bier Fest
These are all areas that require additional spend - best to book in advance if you don't want to be disappointed on the day.
Selection of Videos:
Waiting for the fireworks to start, the tunes were blaring out -
Lasers and Fireworks -
Streatlife: The Brass Funkeys Set -
Happy Bonfire Night-ing one and all!
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