Kent firework displays and bonfire night events across the county 2017
Are you all fired up about fireworks and bonfire night?
Here's some of the displays happening across Kent to add a bit of sparkle to your autumn.
ASHFORD RUGBY CLUB
This year's display takes place at the club in Canterbury Road, Kennington, on Saturday, November 4. Gates open at 5pm with the bonfire being lit at 7pm. The first rocket goes up at 7.30pm. There will also be three bars, food stalls and amusements. Tickets cost £8, £4 for under 15s, £20 for families (2 adults + 2 children) and under fives free. Book online in advance and get a 25% discount. Details at ashfordrugbyclubboxoffice.co.uk.
BEARSTED, NEAR MAIDSTONE
The fireworks spectacular will take place at Elizabeth Harvie Field, behind Holy Cross Church on Friday, November 3 between 6pm and 9pm.
BRANDS HATCH WEST KINGSDOWN
Sparks will fly on and off the track when the final rounds of the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship are followed by season-closing fireworks display on Sunday, November 5. There will be plenty of off-track fun for all of the family. Raceday admission is £19 in advance and £12 for teens. Weekend tickets are £25 and £15. For details go to brandshatch.co.uk
DARTFORD, CENTRAL PARK
Dartford Lions are again organising one of the biggest displays in north Kent that this year takes place on Saturday, November 4, from 5pm. A funfair opens at 5pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7.15pm. The fireworks get under way at 8pm. Advance tickets are £5 adults and £3 children and are available from Craft Frames, West Hill, ellenor in Spital Street and High Street, Priory Shopping Centre, Darent Valley Hospital and Kent Police’s Bluewater store. Details at www.dartfordlionsclub.org
DUNLORAN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Thousands turn out every year to the amphitheatre of Dunorlan Park. This year the event will be held on Saturday, November 4, when there will be food, drink and rides as well as the display, organised by the local Round Table. Gates open at 5.30pm with the fireworks - which last for 25 minutes - at 7pm. Advanced tickets cost £6 and £4 for children. More details at rtwrt.org
EDENBRIDGE
Always a spectacle, the annual Edenbridge bonfire celebration has become well known for it effigies of famous figures in the news. Last year's was Donald Trump, then a presidential candidate, holding the head of rival Hillary Clinton. The 36ft tall Trump was trouserless and striking one of his signature poses. This year's bonfire will be held on Saturday, November 4, but who the guy will mimic is a closely-guarded secret until shortly before. The party itself begins at 6.30pm with a torch lit procession. For details go to edenbridgebonfire.co.uk
GRAVESEND
One of the biggest, free events in the north of the county takes place on the banks of the River Thames at the Prom. This year's event is on Friday, November 3. Exact timing are still to be announced by Gravesend Council.
GREAT CHART, NEAR ASHFORD
The primary school’s firework display will be held on Sunday, November 5, with gates open at 4.45pm, and the show starting promptly at 6pm. There will be a barbecue, mulled wine, glow wands and popcorn for sale. Tickets cost £5 each, with family tickets £16. Under threes go free. Tickets are available on the night or from email Chair@gcfassociation.co.uk
GREAT LINES, GILLINGHAM
Medway's biggest free annual bonfire and firework display at the Great Lines Heritage Park attracts thousands of spectators every year. This year's event will be on Saturday, November 4 at 7pm. There will be no on-site parking or toilets on the night. For details go to enjoymedway.org
GREENHITHE
The Royal British Legion in London Road, Greenhithe, near Gravesend, will be holding a free fireworks display on Friday, November 3. The family-friendly event will include a barbecue and subsidised bar.
KENT CRICKET, SPITFIRE GROUND, CANTERBURY
Kent Cricket's annual fireworks display at the St Lawrence Ground will be held on Sunday, November 5, with entertainment from 3pm, including a funfair and live music from the Old Town Souls and more, hosted by kmfm. The display will be at 6pm with live entertainment through to 7pm. Tickets at £8 (£10 on the gate) £4 for ages two to 14 (£5 on the gate) and £20 for a family (or £25 on the gate) can be bought online at kentcricket.co.uk
KENT LIFE, SANDLING, NEAR MAIDSTONE
A stunning bonfire and fire breathers will set off the Firework Spectacular at the farming attraction on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5. The colourful celebration marks the end of the season and the beginning of the winter festivities and will include face painting, children’s fairground rides, glow sticks galore, a licensed bar and food. The site, just off Junction 6 of the M20 near Maidstone, will be open from 3pm with its usual attractions, before the bonfire is lit at 6.15pm and the gates close to admissions. The themed display will be at 6.45pm, with the site open until 8pm. Tickets must be booked online in advance at kentlife.org.uk and no tickets will be available on the gate. They cost £11, £9 for ages four to 15 with under fours free. Parking cannot be guaranteed on site due to the numbers of visitors.
KENWARD TRUST, YALDING
May the force be with you for firework festivities at the Yalding site on Thursday, November 9 with a Star Wars themed display in the grounds. Gates open at 4.30pm, with fireworks starting at 7.30pm. There will be refreshments available along with children’s fairground rides. Tickets are limited. To book visit kenwardtrust.org.uk
LEEDS CASTLE, MAIDSTONE
The display’s theme this year will be Best of British when visitors can listen to some iconic British songs in an evening of patriotic pyrotechnics, taking place on both Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5. Entry is from 2pm, to enjoy live music, entertainment, falconry displays, the maze and play areas and a variety of food. From 5.30pm, there will be music, projections and fireworks with the castle as their backdrop. The music will run until the display at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £22, £14.50 for children four to 15 with under fours free. Tickets are not available from the ticket office. Book at leeds-castle.com or call 01622 767865.
LYDDEN HILL RACE CIRCUIT, NEAR CANTERBURY
MotorMania on Saturday, November 4 promises to be an action packed day of track action followed by fireworks. On-track action will include supermoto, rallycross, sidecars, race cars, drift, solo scooters, superkarts, supernational hot rods and the chance to take your car out in the public track time session. Fireworks are included in the general admission ticket and will begin when darkness falls. Entrance from 4.30pm to watch fireworks costs £7 with under 13s free. All day prices start at £12 and include a day of on-track action. Alongside the track action there will be car, bike and sidecar displays as well as a show 'n' shine competition with the proceeds going to support the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis charity. Passenger rides will also be available on the day for anyone over 14 with proceeds going to the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance. For more details go to lyddenhill.co.uk
MAIDSTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, BARTON ROAD
The annual MGS Parents' Association fireworks spectacular will be on Saturday, November 4, with gates open from 6pm. Visitors should use the West Park Road entrance opposite the leisure centre. The fireworks will be at 7pm, and there will be food to buy including pizza and a burger bar. Tickets cost £25 for a family of two adults and three children, £10 for adults and £5 for students and children age five and up. Parking at the leisure centre will be £3 per car.
MERSHAM, NEAR ASHFORD
The Farriers Arms pub will be holding its popular display on Saturday, November 4 this year. There will be a bonfire, live music and food and drink available. For more details go to thefarriersarms.com
QUEX PARK, NEAR BIRCHINGTON
The 10th annual display at the Thanet park has a Disney theme and takes place on Saturday, November 4 from 5pm. There will be a funfair, craft marquee, plenty of family entertainment and two firework displays at 6.15pm and 7.15pm. Advance tickets cost £10, £8 for three to 13 years, and a family of four £34. On the night entry will be £12 and £10 for three to 13-year-olds, cash only. Parking is free. For more details visit quexpark.co.uk.
SEVENOAKS
The Sevenoaks Roundtable charity fireworks is on Saturday, November 4. There will be entertainment, stalls and live music from 5pm in the High Street, followed by a torchlight procession to Sevenoaks School at 7pm. The firework display, set to music, starts at 7.45pm. Advance tickets cost £8 and a fiver for children. Tickets on the gate are £2 nearer. For details visit sevenoaksfireworks.co.uk
TROTTISCLIFFE PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEAR WEST MALLING
The display at the school will be held on Friday, November 3 from 4.30pm, with the fire lit at 5pm, at the recreation ground in Church Lane. There will be a beer tent, tombola, barbecue and after school disco. Tickets in advance are £5 and £2 for children, and on the gate £6 and £3 for children. Tickets in advance are available from the George Inn or from the school.
TYLER HILL, NEAR CANTERBURY
This year's bonfire and fireworks will be held at the recreation ground in Summer Lane on Saturday, November 4, with a funfair and giant bonfire, which will be lit at 6.45pm. Gates and the funfair open at 5.30pm and the fireworks start at at 7.30pm. Free parking will be available at the uni. For tickets and to book, visit tylerhillbonfire.co.uk
Is your village, school or sports club holding a public fireworks display?
You can email all the details to mykentfamily or enter the information in our events calendar here.
