It’s that time of year again when the darkening autumn skies are filled with colourful fireworks and the crackle of bonfires.
Ahead of Guy Fawkes Night, the Herald has rounded up all the best community bonfire and fireworks displays across the area.
Here are some of the bigger events happening in and around Farnham, Alton, Haslemere, Bordon and Liphook this year:
Friday, November 4
ALRESFORD ROTARY CLUB’S traditional Guy Fawkes bonfire and fireworks night is an important part of Alresford’s calendar and helps to raise funds for those less fortunate in the local community and further afield.
There will be a torchlight procession from the top of Broad Street to Arlebury Park, where the bonfire and fireworks will be held.
When: Procession 7pm, bonfire lighting 7.45pm, fireworks 8pm.
Where: Arlebury Park, The Avenue, Alresford.
Tickets: Over-16s £10, children aged five to 16 £5, under-fives free, from https://ticketsource.co.uk/alresford-rotary, at the top of Broad Street or at Arlebury Park.
FOUR MARKS CE PRIMARY SCHOOL is hosting fireworks on Friday, November 4. There will be live music, a barbecue, a bar, refreshments and stalls.
When: 5.30pm.
Where: Four Marks CE Primary School, Kitwood Road, Four Marks.
How much: Over-15s £8, children aged three to 15 £5, under-threes free, from fofmpta.co.uk
FARNHAM RUGBY CLUB will again host its popular Fireworks to Music display, with gates opening at 6pm and Caribbean food and a barbecue available, as well as bars all around the ground.
When: Gates open at 6pm.
Where: Farnham Rugby Club, Monkton Lane.
How much: Adults £9, children £5, VIPs £20, families £25, at the rugby club or online at https://farnhamkit.co.uk/products/fireworks
THE MILL AT ELSTEAD pub’s fireworks and a bonfire night is back with a bang, promising a spectacular show, hearty barbecue food and live music afterwards.
When: Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, fireworks at 7.45pm and live music at 8pm.
Where: The Mill at Elstead, Farnham Road, Elstead.
How much: Adults £10 in advance, children £5 at https://www.millelstead.co.uk/whats-on/fireworks-night-2022
Saturday, November 5
FARNHAM FIREWORKS & TORCHLIT PROCESSION is organised by Farnham Round Table and last year raised a record £40,000 for local good causes. This year’s event promises more food, drink and entertainment than ever before, as well as a torchlit procession led by bagpipes from Waggon Yard to Farnham Park (pictured right), a food village and Hogs Back Brewery bar, and live music, Taiko drumming and fire performers all night.
When: Gates open at 5pm, 6.15pm torchlit procession, 7.15pm lighting of the bonfire and 7.45pm fireworks. Food and entertainment until 9pm.
Where: Farnham Park.
How much: Adults £10 and children £5 (until November 4), adults £12 and children £6 (on November 5), at https://farnhamroundtable.org.uk/events/fireworktickets/
WHITEHILL & BORDON REGENERATION COMPANY is holding its fireworks display in Parade Square, also boasting fairground rides, live music at the Tap@The Shed afterwards, food and drink, a stall selling a wide range of glow sticks and a collection for charity. Parking will be free from 5pm.
When: From 5pm, full fireworks display 7.30pm.
Where: Parade Square, Budds Lane, Bordon.
How much: Free.
FRIENDS OF BEACON HILL SCHOOL’S annual fireworks night is back after a sell-out last year. Chloe the fire dancer will perform on the stage, the fireworks display is choreographed to music, Bring & Braai and Simply Hog Roast will both be selling food, and there will also be mulled wine, hot chocolate with marshmallows, glows, candy floss and other refreshments, as well as a bar run by Hindhead Cricket Club.
When: Gates open at 4pm. Rock choir performance at 4pm, fire dances at 4.30pm and 5pm. The fireworks display will start at about 5.30pm.
Where: Hindhead Playing Fields, Tilford Road, Hindhead.
How much: Tickets (£6.50) have sold out.
MILLAND’S bonfire and fireworks party will return with a wide range of food and drink stalls offering a hog roast, home-made soup, mulled wine, real ale, cider and plenty of cakes and sweets for children of all ages. Milland Stores will be offering hot dogs, tea and coffee.
When: Gates open at 6pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6pm and the firework display will start at about 7.30pm.
Where: Milland Recreation Ground, Iping Road, Milland.
How much: £5 per adult, £3 for children under 16 (under-sixes go free) and £15 for families, on the gate or in advance from either Milland Stores or The Rising Sun.
CHIDDINGFOLD’S bonfire and fireworks event is back, promising homemade burgers and sausages, and vegan sausages, a drinks tent serving a selection of beers, wines and non-alcoholic drinks – and of course plenty of crackles and bangs!
When: Stalls open for business at 5pm. Shuttle buses start operating at 5.15pm. Torches go on sale at St Mary’s School at 6.30pm. The procession of 400 torches departs St Mary’s School at 7pm. The bonfire will be set alight at approximately 7.15pm, and the fireworks will start at approximately 8pm. The last shuttle bus back to the car parks departs at 9.30pm.
Where: The Green, Chiddingfold.
How much: There are no tickets to Chiddingfold Bonfire, attendance is free. People are encouraged to support the bonfire by making a donation on the dedicated PayPal page (https://tinyurl.com/479zn3z5). The 400 torchlight procession tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis at £6 each at St Mary’s School.
HASLEMERE MUSEUM’S bonfire and fireworks event will be held in the museum’s gardens, with food provided by The Bakehouse, refreshments including mulled wine and entertainment provided by Circo Rum Ba Ba.
When: Doors open at 6.30pm. Fireworks start at 7.30pm.
Where: Haslemere Educational Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere.
How much: £10 per adult and £8 for children aged between two and 11 years old. Tickets have sold out.