Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!
If you happen to be strolling through a town square or public park in the UK in late autumn and suddenly see a masked scarecrow burst into flames, take a moment to check your phone before you call 999.
November 5th (or 5 November, to sound more local) is Guy Fawkes Night — also known as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night.
This annual holiday commemorates a rather unusual event: a failed assassination attempt. Guy Fawkes was a member of the so-called Gunpowder Plot, a group that tried to blow up the British Parliament in 1605 in an effort to kill King James I. Fortunately, the plot was discovered and Fawkes was caught in the act guarding the barrels of gunpowder hidden underneath Parliament.
Over the past 400 years, the holiday has evolved far beyond its original political and religious roots. Today, Bonfire Night is a beloved tradition filled with fireworks, community gatherings, and blazing bonfires. Groups gather in town squares, public parks, and even friends’ back gardens to build a straw effigy of Guy Fawkes — affectionately known as “the Guy” — which is ceremoniously set alight.
As the fire roars, fireworks fill the night sky and crowds enjoy classic British treats like toffee apples, hot chocolate, and jacket potatoes roasted in the embers of the great bonfire. Many towns also host funfairs, music, and competitions for the best homemade “Guy.”
While it might seem odd to celebrate an attempted act of treason, modern Bonfire Night is more about togetherness, warmth, and fun than history. For many families, it marks the true start of winter — a night to bundle up against the cold, gather with friends, and watch the fireworks illuminate the crisp November sky. A personal core memory of mine as an undergrad abroad is flying over London on the evening of November 5 and seeing the fireworks fill the sky below the airplane, bursting brightly against the picturesque London skyline.
If you’re an international student in the UK, Bonfire Night is a wonderful way to experience a uniquely British tradition. Bring some friends, wear lots of layers (it gets colder than you think!), and enjoy the show — safely, of course. And when someone asks, “Penny for the Guy?”, you’ll know exactly what they mean.
It’s a night where history meets festivity — and one of the most memorable introductions to life, and light, in the UK.
