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Why Sussex is the heartland of Bonfire Night

Hsin-Yi LoSouth East
News imageGetty Images Hundreds of people, wearing black robes and holding up burning crosses during the night. They are attending a bonfire night celebration.Getty Images
Lewes hosts the country's biggest Bonfire Night celebrations every year

With autumn underway, Sussex towns are preparing for another season of traditional bonfire celebrations.

The events run from early September to mid-November and attract tens of thousands of visitors with their torchlit processions, elaborate costumes and spectacular firework displays.

Bonfire Night- officially on 5 November - marks the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

While Bonfire Night is marked across England, Sussex is known for its large-scale celebrations and centuries-old traditions.

News imageGetty Images Hundreds of people in historic costumes are holding up burning crosses. Getty Images
Bonfire Nights mark the failed Gunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605

There are dozens of bonfire societies in the county, with events taking place in Lewes, Hastings, Eastbourne, Littlehampton, Worthing, Battle, Rye and many more.

Uckfield, Crowborough and Mayfield host bonfire celebrations in September, although some of the events were impacted by the government's ban on any activity that could start a fire - including firepits and fireworks - following a very dry summer.

The earliest known record of bonfire celebrations was in Battle in 1646 - known as Battel until the 19th Century.

According to Battle's bonfire society - named Battel Bonfire Boyes - records show that a church in the town allocated two shillings and sixpence for celebrations commemorating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot.

Saxon costumes are a prominent part of the festivities, paying tribute to the town's connection with the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Hastings Bonfire Night, held on 17 October, embraces the town's seafaring past with pirate-themed displays.

News imageGetty Images A large and satirical effigy of a blond man in a blue suit and red tie. There is another effigy of a man, wearing glasses, and wearing a grey suit. There are flaming torches next to the effigies.Getty Images
Lewes Bonfire Night is famed for featuring towering satirical effigies of political leaders

Lewes Bonfire Night is one of the largest celebrations in the country, with an estimated 40,000 attending in 2024.

The event, organised by seven bonfire societies, honours the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake between 1555 and 1557 during the reign of Mary I.

Participants carry flaming barrels and 17 burning crosses through the streets as a tribute to them.

Lewes Bonfire Night has earned a reputation for its striking satirical effigies of political figures that are paraded before crowds and ceremonially burned.

Some notable effigies included Donald Trump, Theresa May, former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Boris Johnson and Pope Paul V.

News imageGetty Images A satirical effigy of a grey-haired man who is wearing glasses and a black suit and riding a yellow tractor. There is a crowd of people around it.Getty Images
Last year, an effigy of then prime minister Keir Starmer riding a tractor was paraded in front of crowds before being burned

However, these events are not without controversy.

In 2016, there were two arrests over possession of a knife and affray while 80 visitors were treated for injuries.

In 2017, Lewes Bonfire Society was labelled "disrespectful and racist" over the choice of outfits worn by participants.

In 2025, Lewes Bonfire Night resulted in three arrests, with seven taken to hospital and 82 treated by paramedics.

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