Light It Up! 6 Guy Fawkes Day Celebrations Around the World

This blog post was updated on October 26, 2022.

In case you didn’t know, November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in the U.K., although it’s now called “Bonfire Night.” This rather quirky tradition commemorates a failed attempt to blow up the House of Parliament and assassinate the King of England. Guy Fawkes was captured on November 5, 1605. He later jumped — or fell — to his death from the gallows to avoid the rather gruesome end of being hanged, drawn, and quartered. Yes, it’s all exactly as gory as it sounds.

The next year parliament passed a law that the fifth day of November should commemorate the averted tragedy. Over the years, the annual event picked up traditions like burning effigies of Guy Fawkes, massive bonfires, and plenty of fireworks.

These days, people are likely to remember Guy Fawkes more for the mask bears his face, which started as a major part of the celebration. It’s now a symbol for rebellion, thanks to the comic book and movie V for Vendetta and favored by protesters, anarchists, and even “hacktivists” like the group Anonymous.

So in honor of this year’s fifth of November, we decided to take a look at just how this 410-year-old celebration is holding up all around the world.

Remember, remember…

United Kingdom

London is the place of origin for Guy Fawkes celebrations, so it makes sense that you can catch amazing fireworks, bonfires, and parades, from cities that span from London to Edinburgh to Cardiff. Wherever you are in the U.K. on November 5th, you’re sure to be a part of a major spectacle.

Traditionally, children would make a “guy,” or life-size effigy of Guy Fawkes, and parade the effigy around asking “a penny for the guy” for money to spend on sparklers or candy. The effigy was then thrown into a communal bonfire. The British, with their dark sense of humor, have no qualms in tossing effigies of controversial modern day politicians into the fire as well.

South Africa

In the southernmost tip of Africa you may catch impressive displays of fireworks in cities like Cape Town in addition to plenty of people lighting fireworks in designated areas. In recent times, authorities have tightened regulations on lighting fireworks in backyards, but officials in larger cities have deemed certain parks and public areas safe locations for some types of small fireworks –  so be careful where you light up!

In a more African twist to the Guy Fawkes tradition, in certain townships it’s not uncommon for kids to dress up like grownups and go house to house performing songs or dances in exchange for money.

New Zealand

If you’re in the Land of the Long White Cloud, you can commemorate Guy Fawkes by witnessing one of the many fireworks displays that are held in larger cities like Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch. Most locals can purchase fireworks but have to adhere to strict rules and regulations.

Canada

Just north of the border, our Canadian neighbors have clung on to some of the traditions brought over by the first English settlers. Bonfires are lit in commemoration in small communities spread through the most easterly province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Although younger generations wouldn’t exactly know the history behind the date, or perhaps even who Guy Fawkes is, the event is still held in order to burn up fallen leaves and old branches, and also to create some friendly competition on who can make the biggest bonfire.

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St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a Caribbean island country that’s a former British colony. Here, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated with English customs such as tea parties as well as the unique tradition of bamboo blowing, in which heated kerosene is used to ignite an explosion in hollowed out bamboo cannons — to mimic the sound and fire of old cannons from the colonial days. In addition, there are fireworks displays on many beaches.

St. Kitts and Nevis

The Caribbean islands know how to party – and St. Kitts is no exception! Guy Fawkes is just another excuse to head down to the beach or attend a party where firework displays are the highlight of the night, and therefore a great excuse to book cheap flights in November to these paradise on Earth.

Have we missed any other places around the world that celebrate Guy Fawkes Day? Let us know in the comments below!