2023 firework displays: Where, when and how much to watch explosive shows in Bishop’s Stortford, Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow, Little Easton and Harlow
Bonfire Night is looming and the big event in Bishop's Stortford will once again be at the rugby club – but it is by no means the only light show in the area. Here's our round-up of eight displays from Harlow to Saffron Walden...
Please note that there will be no display in Stansted this year due to lack of a suitable venue, Clavering’s family fireworks event has been disbanded while Sawbridgeworth's fireworks night will also not go ahead.
Friday 3 November – BISHOP’S STORTFORD
WHERE: Northgate Fireworks Night, Northgate Primary School, Cricketfield Lane
WHEN: Gates open at 5pm, skies alight at 7pm
TICKETS: Adult £5, child £4.50, under-3s free
Food courtesy of Smoke BBQ Kitchen, pizzas by Grace Makes Dough, Coco’s Crepes and drinks from The Belgian Brewer. Plus a sweet stall, glow stall, face painting, glitter tattoos and games.
Saturday 4 November – BISHOP’S STORTFORD
WHERE: Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Football Club, Silver Leys, Hadham Road
WHEN: Gates open 5pm, fireworks at 7pm
TICKETS: Available online only from www.bsrfctickets.co.uk; no tickets will be sold on the gate. £19.25 for a family of 4 (two adults and two children aged 2-17), additional child £4.50, additional adult/unaccompanied child £7. Children under 2 enter free.
This is the rugby club's 20th annual event, held in conjunction with Essex Pyrotechnics and sponsored by Hanbury Wealth.
There are two gates: Hadham Road and Newland Avenue (on the Stortford Fields estate by the water tower).
There will be a children's funfair, licensed bar, barbecue, sweet shop, hot drinks, kids’ light toys plus a DJ and live music. There will be stilt walkers and a fire act before the main event and the DJ and bands will be performing for 90 minutes afterwards, so there’s no need to rush for the exits!
People are asked to take their ticket confirmation email with them, either as a hard copy or on their phone, as once again organisers will be using scanners to help speed up the entry process. There is no on-site parking and please do not take sparklers with you.
Saturday 4 November – SAFFRON WALDEN
WHERE: Saffron Walden Round Table Charity Firework Display, The Common
WHEN: Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks at 7pm
TICKETS: No tickets required, but organisers ask for a suggested donation of £5 per head. Visit swrt.org/fireworks/ to donate or on the gate with cash or card. All profits from the event will be put back into the Saffron Walden community.
This will be the 56th annual charity fireworks display organised by the Round Table, which will once again be lighting up the evening sky over Saffron Walden with a visually spectacular show which is choreographed to a brilliant soundtrack mixed by 3D Events Productions.
One of the biggest and best charity firework displays in the area, the event is attended by more than 10,000 people from the communities in and around Saffron Walden.
Attractions include a funfair, food stalls and the return of the bonfire. Parking at Swan Meadow car park is suggested.
Saturday 4 November – GREAT DUNMOW
WHERE: Recreation Ground, off Church Road
WHEN: Gates open 6.15pm-10pm, bonfire lit 6.45pm, fireworks at 7.15pm
TICKETS: Online tickets only via www.dunmowfireworks.co.uk. Tickets will not be available on the gate. Family ticket £20 (two adults, two children); over-16s £8; under-16s £6, under-3s free (limited availability on early-bird tickets offering £1.50-£2 discount per ticket). Food and licensed bar.
Dunmow Fireworks Display will feature a 15-minute display to music, a gigantic bonfire, hot food trucks and hot chocolate and mulled wine. Organised by Great Dunmow Round Table, all the profits will support charities, causes and people in need in and around Great Dunmow. No sparklers allowed.
Sunday 5 November – BISHOP’S STORTFORD
WHERE: Parsonage Recreation Ground, foot of Parsonage Lane, Bishop's Stortford
WHEN: Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks at 6.30pm
TICKETS: Cash donations (£10 for a family of four is the suggested amount)
Bishop’s Stortford Round Table is working with Parsonage Residents’ Association to host this year’s Parsonage Lane Fireworks, courtesy of Illuminatus Pyrotechnics. Last year’s event attracted about 2,000 to Parsonage Lane Park.
Food, a bar and hot drinks, including mulled wine and hot chocolate, will be available. Please do not bring your own sparklers. There is no on-site parking.
All money raised will go towards next year’s display and to charities based in Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding area.
Sunday 5 November – BIRCHANGER
WHERE: Birchanger Sports & Social Club
WHEN: Fireworks at 7pm
TICKETS: Free display but donations gratefully received
Sunday 5 November – HARLOW
WHERE: Harlow Town Park Showground
WHEN: Gates open 5.15pm-8.30pm, bonfire lit at 6.15pm, fireworks at 6.30pm
TICKETS: Free admission (courtesy of Harlow Council).
Fifth Avenue will be closed during the event. The section from Sainsbury's roundabout to Burnt Mill roundabout will be shut from 5.15pm to 8.30pm. The other section, from Sainsbury's roundabout to Mandela Avenue roundabout, will be shut from 6pm to 8.30pm. Parts of Park Lane and School Lane will be shut from 5.15pm to 8.30pm.
There is limited parking for Blue Badge holders only at the showground car park before 5.45pm (people parked here will not be able to leave until Fifth Avenue reopens at 8.30pm). Car parks in the area will be free 5.30pm-7.30pm.
Sunday 5 November – LITTLE EASTON
WHERE: Little Easton Manor, Park Road
WHEN: Gates open 4pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks at 7.30pm
TICKETS: Adults £15, children (3-16) £10, under-3s free. Early-bird tickets are now sold out.
Food, mulled wine, fairground rides, neon fun, face paints and a display courtesy of Dynamic Fireworks which will light up the skies of the Great Lake.
