Bonfire week in York. The guide, night by night.

Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November in 2026, so York's biggest display moves to Saturday 7 November at Rawcliffe Country Park, with fireworks at 7.30pm. On the night itself, the Acorn Big Bang on Thanet Road and the Saddle Inn in Fulford are the closest to town and campus.

Published 22 October 2026 · Updated 22 October 2026 · 5 min read

If you only
do one.

  1. Rawcliffe charity bonfireSat 7 Nov · fireworks 7.30pm · the big oneJump to it
  2. Acorn Big BangThu 5 Nov · on the actual night · a fiverJump to it
  3. Saddle's Bonfire NightThu 5 Nov · Fulford · closest to campusJump to it

Bonfire Night is a Thursday this year, so York does it in two goes: a handful on the night, then the big displays on Saturday 7 November.

Most bonfires round York are built for families with a car. We rated them on what matters if you've got neither: getting there, cost, and whether it's worth leaving the house in November. Scores are our call. Prices are from the organisers' pages on 22 October 2026.

Night
by night.

Wed 4 Nov

Early start
  • 6Sandburn Hall, Flaxton · gates 5pm

    Sandburn Hall Bonfire Night

    Fireworks
    7pm, set to music
    Best for
    Anyone with a car and a free Wednesday

    The honest bitIt's out at Flaxton, past the ring road. No lift, no fireworks.

    Tickets

Thu 5 Nov

Bonfire Night
The Acorn ARL sports and social club on Thanet Road, York
Thanet Road. Photo: Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited
  • 8Acorn Rugby Club, Thanet Road · gates 5.30pm

    Acorn Big Bang

    Damage
    £4 booked, £5 on the gate
    Display
    7.30pm

    Fireworks, fair rides and food on the actual night, in Dringhouses.

    The honest bitA fiver on the gate for fair rides and a proper display. Hard to argue with.

  • The Saddle Inn on Main Street, Fulford
    Photo: Malcolmxl5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
    7.5The Saddle Inn, Fulford · 6.30pm–11.45pm

    Saddle's Bonfire Night

    Damage
    Tickets at the bar or online
    Best for
    Campus West and Fulford, on foot

    Sparklers, roast-your-own marshmallows, face painting and the bar.

    The honest bitIt's a bonfire with a pub attached, or a pub with a bonfire attached. Either way it's open till quarter to midnight.

    Tickets

  • 6.5Poppleton Centre, Nether Poppleton · gates 5pm

    Poppleton Bonfire and Firework Spectacular

    Damage
    £12
    Fireworks
    7.15pm, bonfire lit 6.15pm

    A big community bonfire with hot food and a bar.

    The honest bitOnline tickets stop at 4pm on the day, or sooner if they sell out. Don't leave it.

    Tickets

Sat 7 Nov

The big one
The bonfire burning at Rawcliffe Country Park, York
Photo: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited
  • 9Rawcliffe Country Park · gates 5pm

    Fire and Rescue Charity Bonfire

    Damage
    £12.50, online or on the day
    Fireworks
    7.30pm, bonfire after the kids’ display

    The big one: bonfire, funfair, live music, licensed bar, and a YorkMix outside broadcast. Every penny goes to The Fire Fighters Charity.

    The honest bitIt's next door to the Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride, which is the most York sentence we've ever written.

    Tickets

  • The runway at Rufforth Airfield, west of York
    Photo: Chris Heaton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited
    8Rufforth Airfield East · gates 4.30pm

    York Firework Spectacular

    Damage
    £5 to £15 depending on ticket
    Fireworks
    About 7.30pm

    A professional display with a funfair and licensed bar, six miles west of the city.

    The honest bitIt's an airfield and the organisers warn it gets muddy. Wear the shoes you don't like, and sort the lift home first.

    Tickets

Sun 8 Nov

The Fox Inn on Holgate Road, York
Photo: Nigel Thompson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited
  • 7The Fox Inn, Holgate Road · from 3pm

    The Fox Inn Bonfire Night

    Damage
    Details to follow
    Best for
    The weekend comedown

    The honest bitStarts at 3pm on a Sunday. Possibly the only bonfire you can turn up to hungover.

Not a
fireworks person?

  • The Bar Convent on Blossom Street, York
    Photo: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited
    8The Bar Convent, Blossom Street

    The Gunpowder Plot: York's Untold Story

    When
    Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, to 5 Dec
    Late
    Museum Late, Tue 3 Nov from 6pm, drink included

    The plot told from York, where several of the plotters grew up. There's a free lunchtime talk on 5 November at 1pm with admission.

    The honest bitThe crucifix on show belonged to a York priest executed after the plot. Not a light opener.

    Exhibition tickets

  • 6.5Tea by the Lock · 5, 6 and 7 Nov

    Bonfire night without the bangs

    Damage
    £7.50 in advance
    Best for
    Anyone who hates fireworks

    Live music, fire pits, hot dogs, burgers and marshmallow toasting. No bonfire, no fireworks.

    The honest bitIt's a fire pit and a burger. Some nights that's the dream.

Questions

When is Bonfire Night 2026?

Thursday 5 November 2026. Most of York's bigger displays are on Saturday 7 November.

What's the biggest bonfire in York?

The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue charity bonfire at Rawcliffe Country Park on Saturday 7 November. Gates open to everyone at 5pm and the main fireworks start at 7.30pm.

How much are tickets for the Rawcliffe bonfire?

£12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children, online or on the day. The money goes to The Fire Fighters Charity.

Is there a bonfire in York on 5 November?

Yes. The Acorn Rugby Club Big Bang on Thanet Road, the Saddle Inn in Fulford and the Poppleton Centre all run on Thursday 5 November.

Was Guy Fawkes from York?

Yes. He was born in York in 1570, baptised at St Michael le Belfrey next to the Minster, and went to St Peter's School.

Got the ticket.
Need the person.

LINK shows you the three people at York and York St John you've got most in common with the second you sign up. One of them might want to stand in a field with you on Saturday.

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