In 1605, Guy Fawkes and his gang of conspirators failed in their attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
This article is from 2014. For our 2015 listings, click here.
Bonfires were lit all over the country to celebrate the fact that the king and other dignitaries had been saved in what has become a tradition.
And even now Greater Manchester is no different, as it looks to start November off with a bang.
There will be fireworks, refreshments, entertainment, and of course bonfires, to keep you warm on those chilly winter nights, which promise fun for all ages.
Here a few of the best taking place in all the boroughs:
BOLTON
Leverhulme Park, Friday October 31
‘Fun at the Fireworks’ starts at 6pm and is described as Bolton’s ‘biggest and best firework display’.
There will be a funfair and traditional food stalls selling toffee apples and candy floss.
The deputy mayor, councillor Colin Shaw, will begin the fireworks display at 8pm which will be accompanied by music to enthrall patrons.
Organised by Bolton Council, cabinet member for community services, councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, said: “This is a real community firework display. We’ve held this event for more than twenty years in the park and it’s very popular.
“This is an event for all of the family, and sparks off our winter wonderland programme, which starts next month.”
Farnworth Cricket Club, Friday October 31
An annual bonfire night with a professional firework display.
The event will start at 6pm and tickets cost £3 for adults or £2 for children under 15.
Hollywood Road Sports and Social Club, Saturday November 8
A firework display and barbecue event, the evening will start at 7pm and tickets cost £3 for adults, £2 for children and are available behind the bar from 7pm weekdays and 1pm at weekends.
BURY
Unsworth Cricket Club, Saturday November 1
The bonfire will be lit at 7pm with a firework display from 7.45pm.
Entertainment will include fairground rides, food stalls, a beer tent, clubhouse and licensed bar.
Ticket cost £2 in advance for children under 12 and £4 for adults; also available on the night.
Longsight Road playing field, Saturday November 1
Greenmount bonfire night will be lit at 7.15pm and will be followed by a firework display at 8pm.
Tickets will cost £5 for adults and concessions £1, children under five go free.
Radcliffe Cricket Club, Saturday November 1
Tickets cost £4 for adults and £2 for children or £10 for families.
Woodbank Cricket Club, Sunday November 2
Hot food stalls, a bar and funfair rides will be present, gates open at 5.30pm.
Tickets cost £4 for adults, £2 for children and under threes go free.
You can pay on the gate or buy tickets from the Spar Garage, Brandlesholme News Agents.
The club house will sell tickets every Friday from 6.30-8.30pm.
RAGING INFERNO: A number of bonfire events are taking place across Greater Manchester (© Dominic Alves)
MANCHESTER
Manchester likes to put on a good show when it comes to bonfire night and this year in no exception.
Here is a list of the main ones, all of which are free entry:
Thursday October 30 @ Cringle Park
Thursday October 30 @ Crumpsall Park
Saturday November 1 @ Philips/Sports City
Sunday November 2 @ Brookdale Park
Wednesday November 5 @ Heaton Park
Wednesday November 5 @ Platt Fields Park
Wednesday November 5 @ Wythenshawe Park
These bonfires are always popular and there will be a funfair at each one opening at 5-9.30pm.
The bonfires will be lit at around 7.30pm followed by a spectacular fireworks display and there will also be food, drink and gift stalls featuring global cuisine and merchandise.
The city council has advised the public to wear appropriate clothing and to bring a torch if you have one.
Parking will be limited so people are advised to use public transport if possible.
OLDHAM
Oldham Edge, Wednesday November 5
One of the main events in the Oldham civic calendar is the Oldham Civic Bonfire also known as ‘The Big Bang’.
Gates will open at 5pm and will offer a whole host of attractions including a family funfair, food and beverage stalls and a bonfire.
The entertainment will start at around 6pm and will include Brazilian beats from the Juba De Leao drummers, The Gandini Jugglers will mesmerise with advanced lighting technology and virtuoso juggling while Fire Man Dave and his team will showcase their fire-juggling display.
At 7pm a stunning pyrotechnic fireworks display will take place to music from the X Factor.
There will be an opportunity for a lucky child to enter a free prize draw and win the chance to push the button and launch this spectacular fireworks display.
Closing date for the competition is Saturday November 1. To enter, click here.
Oldham Council have also offered the use of all town centre car parks free of charge to cater for all patrons.
Shaw Cricket Club, Saturday November 1
The bonfire will be lit at 6pm with food, drink and treacle treats served.
Fireworks will start at 7.30pm and tickets are £5 for adults and juniors £3.
Children under 10 have free entry.
Crompton Cricket Club, Saturday November 8
Starts at 6pm and there will be refreshments available.
Tickets are £2 for adults and £1 for children and OAPs.
LIGHTING UP THE SKY: As well as bonfires thousands of fireworks will be set off across Greater Manchester (© Distillated)
ROCHDALE
Rochdale Borough Council have organised three free events to celebrate bonfire night this year.
Wednesday October 29 @ Bowlee Park, Middleton – with funfair
Thursday October 30 @ Cronkeyshaw Common, Rochdale
Friday October 31 @ Cherwell Avenue, Heywood – with funfair
The bonfire will be lit each night at 7pm with the fireworks springing to action at 7.30pm.
The council would like to remind all revelers to wrap up warm and to bring waterproofs and wellies incase we get a good dose of that typical Manchester weather.
SALFORD
Buile Hill Park, Wednesday November 5
One of the biggest free entry displays in Salford, gates will open at 6pm with a funfair to entertain the crowds.
The bonfire will be lit at 7pm with a fabulous firework display firing into action at 7.30pm.
Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening but there is no parking at the venue and bag searches will be in operation at this event.
Peel Park, Wednesday November 5
Starting at 6.30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 7pm with fireworks at 7.30pm and refreshments will be provided by local community groups. Entry is free.
Prince’s Park, Friday November 7
The evening will start at 6.30pm, there will be a funfair and food and beverages will be available.
The bonfire will be lit at 7pm with a fireworks display at 7.30pm.
GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND PLOT: Bonfire night became a tradition after the failed Gunpowder Plot by Guy Fawkes and his conspirators (© Somewhere in the World)
STOCKPORT
Heaton Norris Park, Wednesday November 5
‘Light the Night Bonfire Blast’ has been running for over 30 years and will offer patrons a big bonfire, a funfair, food and beverages, a professional fireworks display, live music and a ‘message of hope’ from charity sponsors.
It starts at 5.45-9pm and will cost £4 for over 16s, £3 for OAPs and 11-15 year olds.
It is just £1 for 10 and under, twos and under enter for free or £7 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children of same family.
Cheadle College, Saturday November 1
‘Big Bang Bonfire and Firework Extravaganza’ is organised by the Roundtable of Cheadle and Gatley.
There will be a kids fancy dress competition at 6.15pm, followed by a kids firework display at 7pm.
The bonfire will be lit at 7.20pm with the main firework display at 8.15pm.
Music will be provided by imaginefm 104.9 and there will be food and drink available throughout the night.
Tickets cost £6 in advance or £7 on the night, a group ticket admits four and costs £20 in advance or £24 on the night, children under four go free.
TAMESIDE
Stalybridge Methodist Church, Friday November 7
A bonfire night with a Best Guy Fawkes competition, the evening will start at 6pm with the lighting of the bonfire and expects to finish around 8.30pm.
Food and soft drinks will be available and entry is free.
Denton West Cricket Club, Saturday November 8
Gates will open at 6.30pm with the bonfire being lit at around 7pm.
The fireworks will start at 7.30pm with food and drinks available throughout the evening including a club bar with an outside bar facility.
There will also be sparklers and glow sticks on sale for children.
Parking is not available in the club car park but there will be some spaces open for disabled patrons.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and are available from the club on Mondays between 7-9pm.
SPARKING INTO LIFE: Thousands of people are expected to brave the winter cold and attend the bonfires (© Christian Schnettelker)
TRAFFORD
South Downs Road, Wednesday November 5
The 46th annual Bowdon Bonfire Night boasts over 30 minutes of fireworks over the evening.
Gates will open at 6pm with amusements, novelties, barbecues, refreshment and bars.
The children’s display will start at 7pm followed by the lighting of the bonfire at 7.20pm.
The two main fireworks displays will start at 8pm and 8.45pm.
Tickets cost £8 on the gate or £5 in advance for children aged 3-13, tickets for adults will cost £15 on the gate or £10 in advance.
A family saver ticket (two adults + two children) will cost £40 on the gate or £25 in advance.
Abbotsfield Park, Saturday November 8
Urmston Lions Community Bonfire will see a performance from Broadoak School Steelband at 7.30pm with a fireworks display at 8pm.
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for OAPs and 16 and under with all proceeds going to the Urmston Charity Lions Fund.
WIGAN
Haigh Country Park, Sunday November 2
One of the region’s biggest bonfire extravaganzas, gates will open at 3.45pm.
There will be a funfair, food and beverage stands, live music and a Wish FM DJ.
The bonfire will be lit at 6pm with fireworks to follow at 7pm.
The hall is opening its doors to patrons on the day to enjoy a hot supper with traditional parkin cake.
Tickets in advance cost £8 for adults, £6 for children, £24 for family ticket (two adults and two children).
Tickets on the day cost £9 for adults, £7 for children or £28 for a family ticket.
The hall bonfire supper, which includes admission to the bonfire and fireworks display, costs £13.95 for adults, £9 for children or £39.95 for a family ticket.
Restricted vehicle access applies.
Please remember that most, if not all, bonfire nights listed here do not permit the use of private alcohol, sparklers and fireworks during the events.
Image courtesy of Les Taylor, with thanks
