Remember, remember the fifth of November – when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament in 1605, only to be caught red-handed beneath the House of Lords with enough gunpowder to level Westminster. We’ve been celebrating their spectacular failure with bonfires and fireworks ever since, which seems a peculiarly British way to mark nearly being blown to smithereens.
This year, the 5th falls on a Wednesday, so fireworks displays are scattered across the first two weekends of November. Here’s everything Putney residents need to know about where to go, what to expect, and how to actually get tickets before they sell out.
Quick guide: The best, in order
Listed from best to least recommended based on value, family-friendliness, and accessibility from Putney. Click on the name of each for a review:
1. Richmond Athletic Ground – Sun 2 Nov ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The top choice. Professional Phoenix Fireworks display with “Rock ‘n’ Roll” theme. Gates 4:30pm, fireworks 7pm. Family-friendly timing, excellent value (£12.50/£7.50), just 1.5 miles away with direct District Line access. Outstanding all-rounder. Sells out annually – book immediately. REVIEW
2. Battersea Park Family Night – Sun 2 Nov ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Biggest spectacle. London NYE fireworks team creates South London’s premier display. Gates 4:30pm, fireworks 7pm. “Fewer nerve-jangling explosions” for families, Shrek entertainment. Premium price (£14.20/£9.50), massive crowds (50,000), but 1-2 miles from Putney. Worth it for the scale. Historically sells out. Book now. REVIEW
3. Wimbledon Park – Sat 8 Nov ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Second weekend option. Dual displays (6:45pm child-friendly, 8:30pm main show) with musical themes. Smaller crowds (4,000-5,000) than Battersea, good value (£12-£14/£9-£10), 2-3 miles away. Solid backup if you miss the first weekend. Usually sells out. Book now. REVIEW
4. Battersea Park Saturday Night – Sat 1 Nov ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Adult-focused party. Same spectacular fireworks as Sunday but with Day of the Dead theme, Massaoke afterparty, midnight closing. Not ideal for families with young children. Crowds and premium pricing. For adults wanting a full night out. Book now. REVIEW
5. Morden Park – Wed 5 Nov ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Midweek compromise. Innovative dual-display format (6:45pm quiet for kids, 8:30pm main show). Good value (£12-£14/£9-£10) but 6-7 miles away requiring tube change. Wednesday school night makes this impractical for many families despite quality. Typically sells out. Book now. REVIEW
6. Barnes Sports Club – Sat 8 Nov ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Traditional community event. Actual bonfire with Best Guy competition, Papa George band, intimate village atmosphere. Closest at just 1 mile (walkable!) but child/family tickets SOLD OUT – only adult tickets remain. Limited unless you already have tickets. Website. REVIEW
7. Blackheath Festival – Sat 1 Nov ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Big festival experience. BBC Radio 2 DJ Spoony, 30+ food vendors, multiple entertainment stages. But 6-7 miles away, 30,000 crowds, and more about the festival than fireworks. Higher prices (£16 adults). Only if you want the full festival experience and don’t mind the distance. Website. REVIEW
The bad news: Your closest options are gone
No display in Putney itself this year.
Worse news: The traditionally popular Hammersmith & Fulham Council displays at Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park (just 2-3 miles from Putney) have been cancelled since 2023. These affordable events served 20,000+ people annually but were scrapped during COVID and never revived, despite a failed attempt at a laser show alternative. This leaves a significant gap for west London residents.
All Saints Fulham (1.5 miles away) runs a small community bonfire night on Saturday 8 November, but tickets sold out weeks ago.
Bottom line: If you want to attend a fireworks display tonight or this weekend, you need to book tickets RIGHT NOW. Richmond, Battersea, and Wimbledon Park all typically sell out before event dates. Most displays have mandatory advance booking with no tickets at the gate.
Check availability immediately – Saturday’s displays (Battersea, Blackheath) are likely to sell out first, followed by Sunday’s Richmond display.
Detailed reviews: What attendees really said
1. Richmond Athletic Ground (Sunday 2 November)
Distance: 1.5 miles | Tickets: £12.50 adults, £7.50 children
Value & Experience: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Richmond consistently delivers exceptional value. The display is choreographed by Phoenix Fireworks, a multi-award-winning company, with this year’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll” theme setting fireworks to iconic tracks. The event sells out annually (2022, 2023, 2024) despite being one of the most affordable options – a strong endorsement from repeat attendees.
Entertainment starts at 6pm before the 7pm fireworks, with funfair rides, extensive food options (from hamburgers through to crepes and churros), mulled wine, and a licensed bar. A “Happy Hour” runs 4:30-5:30pm, showing thoughtful programming. Local dance companies and Basement Door charity provide pre-show entertainment.
Family-Friendliness: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genuinely family-focused. The afternoon 4:30pm gate opening works brilliantly for children who struggle with late nights. The 7pm fireworks mean kids aren’t exhausted, and families can leave by 7:30pm if needed (though funfair stays open until 9pm). Richmond Rugby Club’s venue feels more intimate than massive park displays, creating better sightlines for children.
Fully accessible with dedicated wheelchair viewing platform. Last entry 6:30pm is reasonable. The venue has strong facilities, and the Richmond Athletic Ground’s established infrastructure means proper toilets and bars rather than temporary setups.
Practical Logistics: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Just 1.5 miles from Putney with Richmond station less than five minutes’ walk – arguably the easiest to reach. The District Line direct connection from Putney Bridge to Richmond makes this seamless. Sunday afternoon timing avoids Saturday night transport chaos.
Card-only payments at bars (funfair may accept cash). No dogs except guide dogs. Standard bag search and no sparklers/fireworks policies apply but aren’t onerous. Limited advance parking available (£10, or free for Blue Badge holders with advance booking).
Bottom Line: Outstanding all-rounder that delivers professional quality at fair prices with family-friendly timing. The best combination of value, accessibility, and practical convenience for Putney residents.
Book at: rag-events.co.uk
2. Battersea Park Sunday Family Night (2 November)
Distance: 1-2 miles | Tickets: £14.20 adults, £9.50 children
Value & Experience: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Battersea delivers South London’s most spectacular display, created by Titanium Fireworks – the same team behind London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. One 2024 attendee described it as “a rich, colourful spectacle accompanied by music” that “lasted around 25 minutes.” The scale is impressive, with 50,000 attendees across both nights creating a genuine festival atmosphere.
The catch: Some past visitors found it inconsistent. An older review noted: “The music played on and on as if they had only one cd… Paying £6 for just a mere fire display. That’s a rip off.” However, recent years show significant improvements in production quality. The 2024 attendee acknowledged “technical issues halfway through when the music stopped playing for about a minute” but concluded: “It was my first time at Battersea Park Fireworks, but certainly not the last.”
Sunday’s Family Night explicitly promises “fewer nerve-jangling explosions” with Shrek tribute entertainment, while Saturday offers adult-focused energy with late midnight closing, Day of the Dead theming, and Massaoke afterparty.
Family-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Mixed feedback here. The Sunday Family Night scores higher with its earlier 7pm fireworks and child-focused programming. However, past attendees raised concerns about Saturday crowds: “Very Very very overcrowded. Petrified I was going to lose my two young grandchildren… Lots of groups of adults there with no kids, all mainly drinking.”
The toilet provision has improved significantly – organizers invested in 150+ portable facilities plus luxury trailers after past complaints. Accessibility features include dedicated wheelchair viewing platforms and companion tickets. But with 50,000 attendees, this remains London’s busiest display, which inherently creates crowd challenges.
Practical Logistics: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Excellent proximity to Putney at just 1-2 miles. Queenstown Road station is a six-minute walk. Gates open 6pm Saturday, 4:30pm Sunday. However, strict 8pm Saturday/6:30pm Sunday last entry times mean you must arrive early. No re-entry policy and mandatory bag searches add friction. Most significantly: both nights typically sell out before the event date, and Saturday’s adult-focused late finish (midnight) doesn’t suit families.
Bottom Line: Best for those seeking London’s most spectacular display who can handle crowds and premium pricing. Sunday works better for families; Saturday suits adults wanting a full night out.
Book at: batterseaparkfireworks.com
3. Wimbledon Park Fireworks (Saturday 8 November)
Distance: 2-3 miles | Tickets: £12-£14 adults, £9-£10 children
Value & Experience: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The Saturday sister event to Morden Park offers the same dual-display format, themed entertainment, and food village quality. Musical fireworks choreographed to curated soundtracks – last year featured “one-hit wonders” creating a fun, nostalgic atmosphere. The event draws 4,000-5,000+ attendees, making it notably less crowded than Battersea’s 50,000.
Funfair, street food village, fire performances, and fully licensed bar create comprehensive entertainment. The themed approach (Disney, James Bond, One-Hit Wonders in past years) shows creative programming beyond basic pyrotechnics.
Family-Friendliness: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Strong family credentials with the 6:45pm child-friendly “Magic” show and 8:30pm main display. The Saturday evening timing works better than Morden’s Wednesday, though later than ideal for very young children. Smaller crowd size than Battersea creates better visibility and less overwhelming atmosphere.
Wheelchair viewing area designated. Identical restrictions to Morden Park: no sparklers, food, drink, dogs, or alcohol. Limited wheelchair access beyond viewing area.
Practical Logistics: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Good accessibility from Putney at 2-3 miles. Wimbledon Park and Southfields stations both nearby, with buses 39 and 156 serving the area. The Saturday 8 November date gives Putney residents who miss the first weekend another chance.
Usually sells out before event date. Both cash and card accepted but no ATMs on-site. Gates open 5:15pm, providing reasonable arrival window.
Bottom Line: Excellent choice for Putney families who can’t attend the first weekend or prefer smaller crowds. Same quality as Morden but with better timing and slightly closer proximity.
Book at: merton.gov.uk/fireworks or seetickets.com
4. Battersea Park Saturday Night (1 November)
Distance: 1-2 miles | Tickets: £14.20 adults, £9.50 children
Same spectacular fireworks as Sunday but with very different atmosphere. Day of the Dead party theme, Big Smoke Brass UK, fire dancers, acrobats, and a Massaoke afterparty in the Spooky Big Top. Gates 6pm, fireworks 8:30pm, closes midnight.
This is explicitly adult-oriented. While children are welcome, the late timing (8:30pm fireworks, midnight closing) and party atmosphere don’t suit families with young children. Past reviews note heavy drinking crowds and adults “with no concept of the idea that families were around them (Swearing, standing in front of very small children, sometimes even falling over them).”
For adults wanting a full night out, this delivers: The same professional Titanium Fireworks display as Sunday, but with festival energy and entertainment running late into the night.
Not recommended for families with young children – choose Sunday’s Family Night instead.
5. Morden Park Fireworks (Wednesday 5 November)
Distance: 6-7 miles | Tickets: £12-£14 adults, £9-£10 children
Value & Experience: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Merton Council’s clever dual-display format offers two separate shows in one evening – a brilliant concept for accommodating different audiences. The 6:45pm “Magic” themed display is explicitly designed for young children with quieter effects, while the 8:30pm “One-Hit Wonders” show delivers fuller pyrotechnics.
Street food village features premium vendors (CrossTown Donuts, Chit Chat Chai, Melter Meatballs), licensed bar with mulled wine, and Flameoz and Halo fire and light performances replace the traditional bonfire for environmental reasons. Last year attracted 15,000+ people.
Family-Friendliness: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The early child-friendly show is a major plus for families with young or noise-sensitive children. Parents can choose to stay for just the 6:45pm display and leave by 7:15pm, or stay for both. This flexibility is rare and valuable.
However, the Wednesday date creates logistical challenges – getting young children to Morden on a school night, particularly with the 6-7 mile distance from Putney, adds complexity. Wheelchair viewing area available but access otherwise limited.
Practical Logistics: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
The Wednesday 5 November date is the event’s biggest drawback for Putney residents. At 6-7 miles away (20-30 minutes by car), it’s the furthest option. Nearest tube is Morden on Northern Line, requiring a change from Putney. This makes the round trip on a school night challenging for families.
Typically sells out before event day, so immediate booking essential. No re-entry, mandatory bag searches, no outside food/drink. No cash machines on-site. All bags searched.
Bottom Line: Innovative dual-display format ideal for mixed-age families, but the Wednesday date and Morden location make this impractical for many Putney residents despite good value.
Book at: merton.gov.uk/fireworks or seetickets.com
6. Barnes Sports Club Bonfire Night (Saturday 8 November)
Distance: 1 mile | Tickets: £17.50 adults, £5.50 children (CHILD TICKETS SOLD OUT)
Value & Experience: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Barnes offers something increasingly rare: an actual traditional bonfire with Best Guy competition where the winner lights the fire. This community fundraiser is essential to Barnes Sports Club’s survival, creating authentic village atmosphere that larger commercial displays can’t match.
The legendary Papa George and his band perform 6-7:45pm, with DJ continuing through evening. BBQ serves hot dogs and burgers, mulled wine available, sparklers and glow sticks sold on-site. The 25-minute fireworks display at 7:45pm is professionally done but modest in scale compared to Battersea or Richmond.
Critical point: “Bonfire Night is a vitally important fundraiser for Barnes Sports Club and we couldn’t survive without it,” organizers state. Your ticket directly supports local sports facilities.
Family-Friendliness: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Major limitation: Child and family tickets are SOLD OUT as of 31 October. Only adult tickets remain. This makes the event unsuitable for families with young children who need their own tickets.
For those who secured tickets, the intimate community feel appeals to families seeking traditional atmosphere over large-scale production. However, the single 7:45pm fireworks time offers no early option for young children, and the 9:30pm closing is late.
Practical Logistics: ★★★★★ (5/5)
At just one mile from Putney, Barnes is the closest option and is actually walkable for many residents. Gates open 5:30-7:30pm. The Sports Club setting feels neighborly and accessible.
However, the sold-out child tickets severely limit who can attend. “This event always sells out,” organizers warn consistently. Optional donations (£5, £10, £20) requested to support the club.
Bottom Line: Ideal for adults and those who secured family tickets early, seeking traditional community atmosphere over spectacle. The closest option geographically but limited availability makes it impractical for most families now.
Book at: barnessportsclub.com (adult tickets only)
7. Blackheath Fireworks Festival (Saturday 1 November)
Distance: 6-7 miles | Tickets: £16 adults, £10 youth, £5 under-10s
Value & Experience: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
After six years’ absence since 2019, this major festival returns with 30,000 estimated attendees. BBC Radio 2 DJ Spoony headlines alongside Heavy Beat Brass Band, Big Belly Comedy Club, massaoke singalongs, and Lords of Lightning across multiple stages. Food village features 30+ vendors including TikTok sensation SpudBros, with craft beer and licensed bars.
Classic fairground rides and attractions throughout. The scale and entertainment variety exceed most other options, but the fireworks themselves (approximately 8pm) are just one element in a broader festival experience. Discount code CHEAPO10 provides 10% off.
Family-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
The multi-stage entertainment format appeals to families who want activities beyond just fireworks. Under-10s cost only £5, making it affordable for large families despite higher adult prices. Wheelchair accessible with companion tickets available.
However, 30,000 attendees create genuine crowd challenges. Gates open 5pm, but with 8pm fireworks and 10:30pm closing, it’s a long evening. No outside food or drink allowed.
Practical Logistics: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
At 6-7 miles from Putney, Blackheath matches Morden for distance but without direct transport links. This is genuinely far for a Saturday evening, requiring significant travel commitment.
Mandatory advance purchase through blackheathfireworks.com – no entry without pre-purchased tickets. The first Saturday slot means choosing between this and Battersea’s Saturday night. Organized by Slammin Events (Alexandra Palace fireworks), so professional production expected.
Bottom Line: Best for those seeking a full festival experience with multiple entertainment stages rather than just fireworks. Distance from Putney and crowd size make this less practical than closer options.
Book at: blackheathfireworks.com (use code CHEAPO10 for 10% off)
How we evaluated these displays
We rated each event using three core criteria that matter most to families and individuals seeking a great Bonfire Night experience:
1. Value & Experience Quality (Spectacle-to-Price Ratio)
Does the event deliver a memorable experience that justifies the ticket cost? We consider the fireworks quality, entertainment offerings, atmosphere, food and drink options, and overall production values compared to the price paid.
2. Family-Friendliness & Accessibility
How well does the event accommodate families with young children, those with accessibility needs, and first-time attendees? We assess crowd management, noise considerations for sensitive children, facilities, clear information, and whether the event genuinely delivers on its family-friendly promises.
3. Practical Logistics from Putney
How easy is it to actually get there and back? We evaluate distance from Putney, public transport links, timing that works for families, ticket availability, and whether the event’s restrictions and requirements create unnecessary hassle.
What happened to the local displays?
The missing options
Hammersmith & Fulham Council Displays For years, Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park hosted major council-run fireworks displays that were perfect for Putney residents – close, affordable, and well-organized. Here’s what happened:
- Pre-2020: Annual events attracting 20,000+ combined attendees
- 2021: Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
- 2022: Cancelled while council developed “environmentally friendly” laser alternative
- 2023: “The Fawkes Festival” laser/light shows ran but didn’t replicate the fireworks experience
- 2024: Both events cancelled entirely
- 2025: No information available – effectively discontinued
The loss of these displays, just 2-3 miles from Putney, forces residents to travel further or pay more for alternative events. It’s particularly frustrating given their historical popularity and convenience.
All Saints Fulham This small community church event at Pryors Bank (1.5-2 miles from Putney) continues to run on Saturday 8 November (5:30-8:30pm), but tickets sold out weeks in advance. The church paddock event is intimate and community-focused, but limited capacity means most residents won’t access it. Worth remembering for next year if you want a very local option – book early!
Putney Parish Churches Neither All Saints Church Putney (Putney Common) nor St Mary’s Church Putney runs a public fireworks display. All Saints Putney is a Grade II* listed Victorian church with exceptional Morris & Co windows, but focuses on church services and cultural events rather than bonfire night celebrations.
Final thoughts
The cancellation of Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park displays has left a noticeable gap. These were affordable, well-located events that served tens of thousands annually. Their absence means Putney residents must either travel slightly further or pay slightly more than in previous years.
However, Putney residents still have excellent fireworks options – they’re just not quite as close as they once were. Richmond and Battersea are both under 2 miles away with good transport links, while Wimbledon provides a second-weekend backup.
Richmond offers the best combination of quality, value, and family-friendliness for most residents. Battersea delivers London’s premier spectacle if you’re willing to brave crowds and higher prices. Wimbledon keeps options open for the second weekend.
Whatever you choose, book now. By Monday morning, your first-choice display may be sold out. Bonfire Night 2025 won’t wait for last-minute decisions.
A Note for Future Years: If you want very local options, consider booking All Saints Fulham early next year (August/September), and keep an eye on whether Hammersmith & Fulham Council revives their displays. The loss of these traditional local events makes early planning more important than ever.
Tickets are selling fast. Research compiled October 31, 2025.
