Fireworks Displays in London 2026: Where to Watch (and Where to Buy Your Own)

London's biggest fireworks events in 2026 are the Alexandra Palace Fireworks & Drone Festival (31 October–1 November), Battersea Park Fireworks (7–8 November), and the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve display on the Thames — plus smaller displays at Blackheath, Richmond, Wembley, Bexley and Ealing. If you're planning to catch one of the big shows, or you'd rather put on your own display closer to home, here's your full 2026 guide.

Best Bonfire Night Fireworks Displays in London 2026

Alexandra Palace Fireworks & Drone Festival

North London's biggest and longest-running display, running for over 150 years. In 2026 it's a two-day event across 31 October and 1 November, combining a Halloween-themed fireworks and drone show with a funfair, street food, a German-style beer festival and live music. One of the highest vantage points in the city, so you get skyline views as well as the show itself.

Battersea Park Fireworks

South London's biggest display, taking place over the weekend of 7–8 November in Battersea Park's 200 acres on the south bank of the Thames. The display is produced by the same team behind London's New Year's Eve fireworks and major concerts, alongside a large bonfire.

Blackheath Fireworks

A returning favourite after a long break, held on the open common at Blackheath with a bonfire, market stalls and family entertainment alongside the display.

Richmond Fireworks

Held at Richmond Athletic Ground on 1 November, this display is choreographed to music, with food stalls including crepes, churros and burgers, plus mulled wine to keep warm.

Wembley, Brent & Harrow Fireworks

A joint display at Byron Park combining Bonfire Night with a Diwali celebration, including henna art, a funfair and street food.

Smaller local displays

Ealing Cricket Club, Danson Park in Bexley, and The Anglers in Teddington (a charity display in aid of the RNLI) all run their own smaller, family-friendly fireworks nights around 1 November — worth checking if you want something closer to home with a shorter queue.

London New Year's Eve Fireworks

The Mayor of London's New Year's Eve fireworks on the Thames is one of the most-watched displays in the world, launched from the London Eye and nearby barges at midnight with thousands of fireworks set to music. It's been ticketed since 2014, with tickets sold exclusively through Ticketmaster — tickets for the official viewing areas along the Thames usually go on sale in October, with prices depending on viewing category and whether you live in London.

If you don't fancy queuing for a ticketed spot, there are free viewing points too, including Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, Trafalgar Square and — fittingly — Alexandra Palace, though these get extremely busy.

Want Your Own Firework Display Instead? What You Can Buy in Essex

The big London events use professional-grade Category F4 fireworks, which aren't available to the public. But if you want your own display — for Bonfire Night, a birthday, a wedding or a New Year's Eve garden party — you can legally buy consumer fireworks year-round from a licensed retailer:

• Category F1 – sparklers and party poppers, suited to small gardens or indoor use.
• Category F2 – garden fountains and smaller rockets, needing roughly 8 metres of clear space.
• Category F3 – bigger display-style fireworks, needing 25 metres or more, better suited to larger gardens or open land.
• You must be 18 or over with valid ID to buy.
• An 11pm curfew applies to setting fireworks off, extended to midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on New Year's Eve.

Most general retailers only sell fireworks in short seasonal windows around Bonfire Night, New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year. A specialist retailer with an all-year supply licence can sell to you at any time, so you're not restricted to the six-week rush before 5 November.

Why Buy From Newsbox Fireworks

Based just outside London in Loughton, Essex, Newsbox Fireworks is a licensed all-year retailer serving customers across London and Essex. Whether you're after sparklers for a family Bonfire Night at home or a fuller F3 display, we can talk you through categories, safety distances and noise levels in person, in store.

FAQs

What are the biggest fireworks displays in London in 2026? Alexandra Palace Fireworks & Drone Festival (31 October–1 November) and Battersea Park Fireworks (7–8 November) are the two biggest, alongside displays at Blackheath, Richmond, Wembley/Brent/Harrow and the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve show.

Do I need a ticket for London's Bonfire Night fireworks? Most of the major displays — Alexandra Palace, Battersea Park, Blackheath, Richmond — are ticketed events. Some smaller local displays offer free entry earlier in the day with a charge for evening entry.

Is London's New Year's Eve fireworks display free? The official ticketed viewing areas along the Thames require tickets bought through Ticketmaster, but there are free viewing spots nearby, including Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill and Trafalgar Square.

Can I buy fireworks in London or Essex outside of Bonfire Night season? Yes — a licensed all-year retailer, such as Newsbox Fireworks in Loughton, can sell Category F1, F2 and F3 fireworks to over-18s with valid ID at any time of year.

What's the fireworks curfew in London and Essex? 11pm as standard, extended to midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on New Year's Eve.