'Remember, remember the fifth of November," goes the song - and although the tradition remains, the date for bonfire and firework celebrations has become more flexible.

There are six major firework events taking place across Camden, Haringey, Brent, Harrow and Enfield this weekend.

The tradition dates back to mark Guy Fawkes' and his Catholic co-conspirators' attempts to blow up Parliament, and with it King James I, in the Gunpowder Plot on November 5, 1605.

The days of burning an effigy of Guy on a bonfire are mostly behind us, with most preferring to look to the skies for colourful displays.

Here are some of those taking place around north London in 2023.

Fortismere Fireworks

 

Kicking off events on Thursday, the gates at Fortismere School, in Twyford Avenue, Muswell Hill, will open at 5pm, with a fun fair, a bar selling mulled wine and hot drinks and stalls selling hot food.

Fireworks are scheduled to start between 7.30pm and 8pm, subject to everyone being in the field at that time.

The event closes at 9pm. 

Tickets start at £7. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com

Coram's Fields Firework Displays

 

For the young and young at heart this small, family-focused fireworks event at Coram's Fields, in Bloomsbury, south of Kings Cross, starts at 3.30pm on November 3, with bangs and sparks shooting into the sky at 6pm.

Attendance is free, but tickets are available for prime viewing spots.

There will be food and drink stalls and performances from local schools and young people.  

Visit https://www.coramsfields.org/fireworks

Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival

Islington Gazette: Alexandra Palace fireworks Alexandra Palace fireworks (Image: Alexandra Palace)

Firmly established as one of the biggest and best fireworks events in the country, Alexandra Palace's Festival will include a programme of live music, DJ sets and entertainment, culminating in an epic fireworks display above the iconic Palace.

Expect something special with Alexandra Palace celebrating its 150th anniversary year - the event continues the tradition of spectacular displays held in the grounds of the Palace, dating back to the late 19th century.

These have included recreations of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in The Last Days of Pompeii and the Destruction of the Spanish Armada on the boating lake.

Visit https://fireworks.london for more information.

Brent and Harrow Fireworks Display

 

The event in Byron Park on November 4 starts at 12pm and is free until 3pm, after which there is a fee to enter.

Organiser Brent, Wembley and Harrow Events said the day merges Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali, includes a full-size funfair, food and shopping stalls and promises to be "epic fun".

They added:  "If you thought last year's show was hotter than a dragon's breath, get ready, because this year's spectacle will be hotter than Guy Fawkes fumbling with his first sparkler!"

Entry costs £8 top £10, with only cash accepted at the gate.

Grand Union Fireworks Display Wembley

Islington Gazette: Grand Union's firework display promises to be a seven minute spectacularGrand Union's firework display promises to be a seven minute spectacular (Image: Grand Union)

Grand Union in Alperton will be lighting up the skies with a spectacular fireworks display on November 9 from 6pm to 8pm.

The seven-minute show will take place from the Grand Union piazza on Beresford Avenue, is  free and open to Grand Union residents, locals and visitors to enjoy. 

Grand Union’s anchored narrowboat PAVO will be open as a crêperie and coffee pop up, welcoming the first 100 attendees with free hot drinks and crêpes.

Hot food will also be available to purchase from Gully, an Indian street food caterer.

The Walker Ground Fireworks 2023

 

Head over to the Walker Ground in Waterfall Road, Southgate from 5pm on Saturday where stilt walkers will greet you, artists will showcase their circus skills, and there will be music, stalls, food and drink and of course,  explosive fireworks

Tickets cost £9 for adults £6 for children under 16 and £27 for a family of four based on two adults

Under 4's are free to attend this event when tickets are bought in advance.

For more information or tickets go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-walker-ground-fireworks-2023-tickets

DIY at home

Islington Gazette: People will be lighting sparklers outside around Bonfire NightPeople will be lighting sparklers outside around Bonfire Night (Image: Pixabay)

If you want to light fireworks yourself, do be mindful of safety advice:

This includes standing at a sensible distance, using a taper to light the firework at arm's length and then stand well back, only lighting one firework at a time and never returning to a firework once it's been lit.

It goes without saying to always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under five.

Once a firework is finished, leave it for 20 minutes and then immerse it in a bucket of water before disposal.