BONFIRE NIGHT
It’s that time of year we celebrate that time someone almost blew up Parliament because they disagreed with it. How times have changed. Elin Evans rounds up the best fireworks displays and nights out available for the lead-up to Bonfire Night.
Sparks In The Park
Countless candy floss machines will be fired up for another year of Cardiff’s famous Sparks In The Park, hosted this year by Jason Harrold from Smooth Radio. Don’t worry about your little ones staying up too far past their bedtime because there’s a show just for them at 5.45pm, the main firework display being at 7.
Blackweir Fields, Cardiff, Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £10.50/£5.50. Info: www.twitter.com/sparksinthepark
Bonfire Bunker Pawty
Not everyone is the biggest fan of fireworks – especially dogs, who can find them really distressing. This alternative bonfire-night event (complete with bonfire, party games, prizes, food, drinks, the works) is deliberately taking place in a secluded rural area so that pets and owners alike can relax and enjoy the night.
The Watermill, Bridgend, Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £8. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Fire And Water Fiesta
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a character from The Great Gatsby then look no further! This annual event combines the glamour of a boat trip with the spectacle of the Barry Island fireworks. A five-hour round trip, so maybe pack ginger biscuits and a paper bag to avoid ruining your flapper dress.
Penarth Marina (start/finish point), Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £45. Info: challengewales.org
Fireworks At Cwmbran Stadium
Torfaen Leisure Trust are back by popular demand to put on their spectacular firework show at Cwmbran Stadium. Just make sure you buy your tickets quickly because this has been a hugely requested event!
Cwmbran Stadium, Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £3/£4. Info: www.torfaenleisuretrust.co.uk
Fireworks At Caldicot Castle
The impressive firework display will use Caldicot Castle as a beautiful backdrop, and promises to be over 20 minutes long. All that, plus a funfair, food and drinks, live music and entertainment from Capital FM. Radio stations seem to dominate this holiday. Who knew?
Caldicot Castle, Sun 3 Nov. Tickets: £7.50/£4.50. Info: www.showmewales.co.uk
Caerphilly Castle Fireworks
Proving that castles are very in vogue this November, Caerphilly Castle will also be hosting their annual display. A bus that will pick up firework fiends from Newport and Cwmbran which makes sure no one has to miss out. Tickets sell out quickly for this one, you’ve been warned!
Caerphilly Castle, Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £8.50. Info: www.allevents.in
Colby Woodland Garden’s Wicker Man Bonfire
If you think that nothing says family fun better than building and subsequently burning an effigy of a wicker man in a beautiful wildflower meadow, then you’re in for a treat. Food and drinks will be available to help you keep warm, but unfortunately there won’t be anyone to help you explain this holiday to your children.
Colby Woodland Garden, Narberth, Sun 3 Nov. Tickets: free. Info: www.showmewales.co.uk
Swansea Bay Fireworks
Swansea locals will know that the annual firework display is usually held on St Helen’s Ground, but they may not know that this year it will be held over Swansea Bay instead, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Swansea’s city status. Food and drink stalls will be open from 6pm at both the Civic Centre and Cenotaph areas just in time for you to buy your toffee apples before the fireworks at 7pm.
Swansea Bay, Tue 5 Nov. Tickets: free. Info: www.enjoyswanseabay.com
