Lord Mayor's Show, London (9 November)
There are plenty of firework displays in London tonight, but the best is on Saturday. The modern Lord Mayor's show has its roots in a tradition from 1215, when the newly elected city mayor travelled upriver to Westminster to swear his loyalty to the king. These days a flotilla still sails up the Thames, followed by a street procession, then a giant firework display. The riverside between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges is the best place to watch the show.
• Free, flotilla at 8.30am, procession at 11am, fireworks at 5pm, lordmayorsshow.org
Midsummer Common, Cambridge (5 November)
Lovely Midsummer Common in central Cambridge attracts 25,000 people to its annual fireworks display. The pyrotechnics are followed by the lighting of the bonfire, and there are fire dancers and a funfair until 10pm.
• Free (though donations of at least £1 are encouraged), fair from 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm, cambridge.gov.uk
Lewes, East Sussex (5 November)
Britain's biggest and indisputably best Bonfire night celebrations take place in Lewes. Six local bonfire societies are joined by about 30 visiting groups and dozens of marching bands, each with their own parades, traditions and costumes, culminating with huge bonfires on the hills around town and spectacular firework displays. Seventeen burning crosses are carried through the streets to commemorate the 17 martyrs burned at the stake in the town in the 16th century. Lewes's medieval cobbled streets get extremely crowded and chaotic, so it isn't suitable for young children.
• Free, 5-12pm, lewesbonfirecelebrations.com
Fireworks at the Fort, Segedunum, North Tyneside (5 November)
One of the biggest fireworks displays in north-east England is at Segedunum, a Roman fort at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. The remains of the fort, the reconstructed bath house and the museum are free to visitors before the fireworks.
• Free, entry from 4pm, fireworks at 6.30pm, twmuseums.org.uk
Fireworks Spectacular, Leeds Castle, Kent (9-10 November)
This pyrotechnic extravaganza kicks off in the afternoon with a fire tree, fire-juggling and fire-breathing, a bed of nails show, a falconry display, fairground rides and live music. In the evening, fireworks will be let off above the 900-year-old castle and lake. The display is set to singalong songs with a fire theme, and images are projected on to the castle walls to add to the spectacle. Food includes chilli tacos and pulled pork, and there is a mulled wine tent. The castle itself is closed, but all the grounds are open.
• £18.50 adults/£12 children/free for under fours, Saturday sold out, Sunday available, gates at 2pm, fireworks at 5.30pm, leeds-castle.com
Winter Festival Fireworks Night, Aberdeen (5 November)
The launch of Aberdeen's winter festival takes place on the beach, beginning with a firewalk across hot coals, fire juggling and a fire and light display. The following 20-minute firework display is set to music, and the best places to watch it from are Beach Boulevard and Beach Esplanade.
• Free, firewalk at 6.30pm, fireworks at 7.30pm, aberdeencity.gov.uk
Bonfire and Firework Display, Perth (5 November)
This family-focused evening starts with a fire and light performance, a magic show and a "history and horror" display. There are fairground rides and food stalls before the bonfire is lit and the fireworks start. Afterwards, live bands play until 9pm.
• Free, starts 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm, pkc.gov.uk
Glasgow Green (5 November)
The city's biggest firework display is held in its oldest park. The event starts in the late afternoon with food and drink stalls, a funfair and live entertainment, followed by the fireworks.
• Free, gates at 4pm, fireworks at 7.30pm, glasgowlife.org.uk
Fireworks Skyshow, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil (5 November)
The parkland surrounds of the Cyfarthfa castle, museum and art gallery in Merthyr Tydfil are also the setting for the town's annual "skyshow". There is entertainment before and after the fireworks, plus food stalls and a fair.
• £6 for a family of four or £2 per person, gates at 5.45pm, fireworks at 7.15pm, merthyr.gov.uk
Fireworks Spectacular, Birmingham (5 November)
The show at Pype Hayes Park in Erdington includes a huge funfair, music and competitions, and a fire dance performance. The event is always themed: this year it is Disney, and organisers have promised a surprise finale to the fireworks …
• Free, gates at 5pm, fireworks at 8pm, birmingham.gov.uk
