Money-saving tips for fireworks night

Whether you're staying in or heading out on fireworks night, here are some money saving tips to make sure your evening goes off with a bang...

‘Remember, remember the fifth of November; expensive displays, pricey fireworks and crowds...' that’s how the poem goes right? Yes, it’s that time of the year again, and whilst not blowing yourself up must always be the prime concern of Guy Fawkes Night, how can you ensure your wallet also gets through the evening intact?

Here are some sparkling tips to help you save a few pounds on fireworks if you’re staying in and a run-down of the best free displays around the country if you’re heading out.

Supermarket fireworks deals

The cheapest way to pick up fireworks is through online wholesalers, especially if you’re planning a ‘last night of the proms’ style back garden display. The Firework Factory is worth checking out, as is Ghengis Fireworks – both of which offer next day delivery.

For those of you planning a smaller display, you’ll probably just end up buying fireworks on the weekly shop – but it’s still a good idea to shop around before buying, as increasing competition over the years has pushed prices down.

If you’re only after a couple of rockets then you could be out of luck, most supermarkets sell rockets in packs of ten along with several sinister sounding selection packs (the liberator being my person favourite name!).

It’s also worth finding out a little about each product to make sure it’s suitably loud and wild or quiet and sensible for your occasion.

Here’s a table comparing the prices charged by different stores for the most popular firework types.

Worth noting that Tesco is also doing a deal where you can get 5 items (the Spectrum Selection Box, Phantom ground and aerial display, Eternity ground and aerial display and the Starlight rocket pack and cascade fountain) at £5 each.

Pet-friendly fireworks

Supermarkets and wholesalers alike are now offering quieter fireworks for families with young children and timid pets. Good news if your dog is anything like mine and insists on hiding in the cupboard all night come November 5th.

Insurance

Now I hate to spoil all of the firework fun, but bonfire night can be dangerous and it’s essential to take steps to avoid any physical or financial damage. Keeping an eye on children and guests at bonfire parties is a given, but it’s also a good idea to check through your building and contents insurance.

Churchill Home Insurance estimate that around two million British homes have been damaged as a result of fireworks going astray – which each incident costing over £300 on average.

Most insurers will provide personal liability cover of up to £2,000,000, however it’s always worth checking the small print as many vary the level of insurance they provide. Ensuring you have public liability cover is also a good idea if you’re planning a party - as you could be liable for a personal injury claim if someone is hurt as a result of your celebrations.

Firework displays

If you’re planning on heading out for a night of fireworks and bonfires then there are plenty of free displays around the country for you to oooh and aaah at to your heart’s content. Here’s my rundown of some of the best free displays I could find countrywide... (All of the events listed are taking place on November 5th unless otherwise stated.)

Scotland and the North

The Glasgow fireworks kick off at 7.30pm on Glasgow green; gates are open from 4pm to 9pm with a Radio Clyde pre-show starting at 6.30pm.

Heaton Park will play host to Manchester’s biggest firework display this year. The bonfire will be lit at 8pm with fireworks starting at 7.30pm.

Fireworks in Leeds start exploding from 8pm at the city’s 700- acre Roundhay Park and the bonfire will be ablaze from 7.30pm.

A Bollywood themed firework display will explode over the Stockton-on-Tees from 7.30pm. The council are promising around 32 000 different explosions as well as a performance from X Factor star Joe McElderry.

Wales and the Midlands

Birmingham’s Pype Hayes Park will host a traditional bonfire night with fireworks with a funfair opening at 5pm and the fireworks display starting at 8.30pm.

The Cambridge bonfire night at Midsummer common has been running for more than 20 years and claims to be the biggest free event in East Anglia. The firework display starts at 7.30pm.

This year’s Nottingham fireworks are taking place in the Forest Recreation Ground and feature both a children’s display and a grand firework finale.

The ticketed Sparks in the Dark bonfire night events take place at Swansea’s St. Helen’s Ground on Friday and Cardiff’s Coopers Field on Saturday. Or if you fancy a free display get down to Caerphilly Castle on Saturday 6th for 7pm.

London and the South

Head over to Poole’s famous harbour from 4.30pm for fire jugglers, live bands, a kids disco and of course, fireworks and a bonfire.

Plymouth’s fireworks will start at 8pm from the Citadel ramparts. Head up to Plymouth Hoe from 6.30pm for a Derriford Hospital Radio pre-show and bonfire.

For all you Londoners Clapham Common hosts a free display from 7.30pm, Southwark’s fireworks start at 7pm in Southwark Park as do the fireworks at the West Way near Ladbroke Grove tube. On Saturday there are also free fireworks at Roundwood Park in Willesden Junction and in Blackheath from 8pm.

Tell us your tips

Have you found any bargain fireworks or banging bonfire nights? If so, let us know using the comment box below!

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