Warming up with events this November
Let’s be honest – there’s something utterly magical about wrapping up in your warmest coat, clutching a hot chocolate, and watching the sky explode into colour on a crisp November evening. Bonfire Night in Edinburgh might mean dodging the drizzle and wrestling small people into waterproofs, but it’s also one of those traditions that makes childhood memories sparkle.
This year, Edinburgh and the Lothians are lighting up the skies with some spectacular family-friendly displays – from charity extravaganzas to cosy community bonfires. So before you dig out the sparklers and wonder which event won’t result in bedtime meltdown, here’s your complete guide to Bonfire Night 2025 around Edinburgh.
The Big Events in Edinburgh
Scottish Love in Action Firework Extravaganza
Sunday 2 November 2025
Myreside Stadium, Myreside Road, EH10 5DB
This one’s a proper Edinburgh favourite – and for good reason. Scottish Love in Action’s annual fireworks display isn’t just about the pyrotechnics (though they’re pretty spectacular). Every single ticket goes to charity, supporting vulnerable children in India, so you get to feel warm and fuzzy before the hot chocolate even kicks in.
Two Display Times:
- 4:00 pm showing
- 6:30 pm showing
Tickets: £13.28 per person (all ages)
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The atmosphere is brilliant – live entertainment builds up to the main event, with performances from a pipe band, Dance Ihayami, and Delighters. There’s hot food and drinks on site (bring cash and card), plus merchandise if your kids are anything like mine and need a glow stick to complete the experience.
Getting There: Lothian Buses routes 10, 23, 27, 38, and 45 all stop nearby. Haymarket train station is your closest rail link. If you’re driving, please park responsibly in surrounding streets – this is a community event and the neighbours are brilliant for putting up with us all descending once a year!
Top Tip: They offer Blue Badge parking – just pre-book a disabled ticket (no extra charge) and stewards will direct you to reserved spaces.
Important Update: Fawkes Festival Cancelled
Note: Fawkes Festival, which was originally scheduled for 2 November at the Royal Highland Centre, has been cancelled for 2025. The organisers are taking a planned pause to refresh and evolve the event, returning in 2026 with an even bigger experience. All tickets have been automatically refunded – so if you’d bought tickets, keep an eye on your bank account.
Edinburgh Diwali – A Different Kind of Light Show
Sunday 2 November 2025, 1:00 – 7:00 pm
St Andrew Square & West Princes Street Gardens
Technically not Bonfire Night, but absolutely worth mentioning – Edinburgh Diwali is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a spectacular day of Indian music, dance, culture, and yes, fireworks! The event is completely free and welcomes everyone.
The day kicks off with a colourful parade led by the Lord Provost and Scottish Regiment Band through Edinburgh’s New Town, featuring over 150 performers. Then head to West Princes Street Gardens for performances at the Ross Bandstand (with Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop – chef’s kiss), followed by a fireworks finale around 6:45 pm.
Dishoom will be serving warming chai at St Andrew Square to start the day, and there’ll be Indian food stalls, treats, and henna painting throughout.
Why We Love It: It’s a wonderful celebration of diversity, culture, and community – and the fireworks display means you get your Bonfire Night fix in a completely different (and free!) setting.
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Beyond Edinburgh: Community Displays in the Lothians
Currie & Balerno Fireworks
Wednesday 5 November 2025 (Actual Bonfire Night!)
King George V Park, Currie
This is proper community spirit at its finest. Organised by the Currie, Balerno and District Round Table (CBDRT), this display has been a local tradition for years. The fireworks kick off at 7:15 pm and are professionally provided by Pyromancers (who absolutely know their stuff).
Gates open: 6:30 pm
Tickets: £4 per adult in advance (from Currie and Balerno Post Offices) or £5 at the gate. All children are free! Unaccompanied teens are asked to donate £1.
There’s food from Sandy’s Thriepmuir Lamb burger van (proper Scottish fare to warm you up), glow sticks and bracelets for sale, and a lovely family-friendly vibe. All profits go to local causes and charities – CBDRT distributed over £10,000 to good causes last year, so your fiver genuinely makes a difference.
Important: No pets allowed (it’s loud and busy, so best for everyone’s stress levels), and there’s no bonfire this year – just the fireworks.
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Haddington Fireworks Display
Friday 1 November 2025
Whittingehame Drive, Haddington
If you fancy a Friday night start to the festivities, Haddington’s community display is a brilliant choice.
Gates open: 6:00 pm
Bonfire: 7:00 pm
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Tickets: £2 donation per person (under 5s free)
This one’s got that classic bonfire-and-fireworks combo, and the community atmosphere is lovely. Bring wellies (it’ll probably be muddy), cash for the gate donation, and maybe a blanket or camping chair if you want to settle in.
Humbie Bonfire & Fireworks
Sunday 2 November 2025
Hodges Farm, Humbie, EH36
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Tickets: £6 per person (must be pre-booked)
This countryside celebration is perfect if you prefer something smaller, quieter, and more traditional. There’s a big bonfire, traditional fireworks, and that proper rural Scotland feel. Ideal for families with younger children who might be overwhelmed by the larger displays.
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Arniston Estate Bonfire Night
Wednesday 5 November 2025
Arniston Estate, Gorebridge, EH23 4RY
For something a bit special, Arniston Estate’s display is set within stunning historic grounds. It’s a drive-in event with a difference.
Gates open: 5:30 pm
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Tickets: £40 per car
There’ll be three roaring bonfires to warm up the atmosphere, delicious food from Wee Green Events, hot drinks, and freshly popped popcorn. It’s a brilliant option if you want to stay cosy in the car (especially with tiny ones who might fall asleep before the main event).
Dalkeith Fireworks Display
Wednesday 5 November 2025
Mayfield Park, Dalkeith
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Tickets: Adults £4, Children £2
This annual display always draws a good crowd. There are funfair rides and stalls to keep everyone entertained before the fireworks, so it’s worth arriving early to make the most of it. Proper classic Bonfire Night vibes.
West Lothian Options
Livingston Fireworks Display
Friday 7 November 2025
Deer Park Golf & Country Club, EH54 8AB
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Tickets: £9.39 per person
A well-organised Friday night spectacular that lights up the sky for miles. The setting at Deer Park Golf & Country Club means good facilities and parking.
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Linlithgow Fireworks Night
Friday 7 November 2025
Linlithgow Rugby Club
From: 6:00 pm
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Tickets: Family ticket £20, Individual £7
This long-standing community favourite offers a warm welcome, great fireworks, BBQ, and bar. A proper family-friendly atmosphere with all the trimmings.
West Calder Fireworks Night
Friday 7 November 2025
West Calder High School, Limefield Lane, EH55 8BF
Funfair: From 4:30 pm
Fireworks: 7:30 pm
Entry: Donation at the gate
Get there early for the funfair – rides, stalls, and all the classic fairground fun before the fireworks finale.
Keeping Little Ones Safe (And Sane)
Let’s talk about the practical stuff – because Bonfire Night with kids requires military-level planning and a touch of optimism.
What to Bring
The Essentials:
- Warm layers – We’re talking thermal vests, fleeces, waterproof coats. Edinburgh in November is not messing about. Hat, gloves, scarf – the full works.
- Wellies or waterproof boots – Grass + November + hundreds of feet = mud. Embrace it.
- Ear defenders – Absolute game-changer for noise-sensitive kids (or anyone who values their hearing). You can grab these from Amazon or Boots for under £20.
- Cash and card – Some stalls are card-only, others cash-only. Bring both or face the wrath of a child denied glow sticks.
- Snacks – Queue times can be long. A secret stash of raisins or a cereal bar might just save you.
- Small torch or phone light – For navigating dark paths, finding dropped mittens, or that inevitable loo trip.
- Blanket or camping chairs (if permitted) – Some venues allow them, others don’t due to space. Check ahead.
Safety First
Sparklers:
If you’re doing sparklers at home, remember they burn at over 2000°C – that’s 15 times hotter than boiling water. Seriously.
- Only give sparklers to children over 5
- Everyone wears gloves (no exceptions)
- Light them one at a time
- Hold at arm’s length, away from clothes and faces
- Bucket of water at the ready – drop spent sparklers in hot-end-down immediately
- Never, ever let kids run with them
At Public Displays:
- Arrive early to get a good (safe) spot away from the launch area
- Keep little ones close – hold hands or use reins in busy crowds
- Agree on a meeting point in case anyone gets separated
- Put your phone number in their pocket (or write it on their arm in Sharpie if you’re feeling hardcore)
- If they’re scared of loud noises, position yourselves further back or consider watching from the car
Fireworks Control Zones:
Edinburgh has nine Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs) this year where private fireworks are banned between 31 October and 9 November. These include Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie, Seafield, Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone, and Sighthill. These zones are designed to protect people and animals from firework misuse – so stick to organised displays in these areas.
Managing Bedtime Meltdowns
Let’s be real – late nights and overtired kids are a recipe for disaster. Here’s how to survive:
- Choose your timing wisely: The Scottish Love in Action 4 pm display is brilliant for younger children. You’re done by 5:30 pm and home for a reasonable bedtime.
- Prep them in advance: Talk about what to expect – the noise, the crowds, the waiting. No surprises = less stress.
- Bring a buggy: Even if they “don’t need it anymore”. Trust me. A knackered 5-year-old at 8 pm is not something you want to carry across a muddy field.
- Lower your expectations: If you see the fireworks and get home without tears, that’s a win. Don’t aim for Instagram-perfect – aim for survival.
Making the Most of Bonfire Night
Food & Drink
Most displays have food stalls serving hot dogs, burgers, chips, and hot drinks. Expect to pay around £3-5 for food and £2-3 for hot chocolate. If you’re on a budget, eat before you go and just treat the kids to one hot chocolate to make it feel special.
Toffee apples, candy floss, and glow sticks will also make an appearance. My advice? Decide your boundaries before you arrive. “One treat each” is a lot easier to enforce than “we’ll see” (which children universally interpret as “definitely yes”).
Photography Tips
Trying to photograph fireworks with kids in tow is ambitious, but here’s how to get at least one decent shot:
- Use night mode on your phone (most smartphones have this now)
- Hold steady or prop your phone against something solid
- Don’t use flash – it’ll just illuminate the person in front of you
- Take a video instead and screenshot the best frames later
- Focus on faces lit up by the fireworks rather than the fireworks themselves – much more magical
Supporting Local Causes
Many of these displays are run by volunteers and local organisations who put in hours of work to make these events happen. Whether it’s Scottish Love in Action supporting children in India, or CBDRT funding local causes, your ticket money genuinely makes a difference.
Chat to the organisers, say thank you to the stewards, and if you can, leave a positive review or social media shout-out afterwards. These events rely on community support to keep going year after year.
Alternative Ideas
Not feeling the crowds or weather? Here are some other ways to mark Bonfire Night:
Stay Home and Stream
Some official displays live-stream their fireworks. Grab the blankets, make hot chocolate, and watch from your sofa. Controversial opinion: this might actually be the best option with babies and toddlers.
Host a Mini Bonfire (Safely!)
If you’ve got a garden and the know-how, a small, controlled bonfire with marshmallows and sparklers can be lovely. Just follow all safety guidelines, keep it well away from fences and trees, and have water/a hose at the ready. Never use petrol or other accelerants – that’s a one-way ticket to A&E.
Plan a Cosy Night In
Bonfire Night doesn’t have to involve actual bonfires. Make toffee apples together, bake bonfire-themed biscuits, read books about Guy Fawkes (in age-appropriate ways!), and watch fireworks videos on YouTube. Sometimes the cosy option is the right option.
Final Thoughts (And Where to Find Hot Chocolate Afterwards)
Bonfire Night in Edinburgh is one of those traditions that feels properly Scottish – a mix of history, community spirit, and stoic determination to enjoy ourselves despite the weather. Whether you’re braving the crowds at Myreside, heading out to a countryside bonfire, or celebrating Diwali under Edinburgh Castle, there’s genuinely something magical about watching the sky light up on a November evening.
And if all else fails and everyone’s cold, wet, and grumpy? There’s always hot chocolate at home and the promise that next year, you’ll remember the extra gloves.
Got a favourite Bonfire Night memory or a top tip I’ve missed? Drop a comment below or tag us on Instagram – I’d love to hear how you’re celebrating this year!
Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the sparkle 🎆
Quick Reference Guide
Edinburgh Events:
- Scottish Love in Action Fireworks – 2 Nov, Myreside Stadium, £13.28
- Edinburgh Diwali – 2 Nov, Free, Princes Street Gardens
East Lothian:
- Haddington – 1 Nov, £2 donation
- Humbie – 2 Nov, £6 (pre-book)
Midlothian:
- Arniston Estate – 5 Nov, £40 per car
- Dalkeith – 5 Nov, Adults £4, Children £2
West Lothian:
- Currie & Balerno – 5 Nov, £4-5
- Livingston – 7 Nov, £9.39
- Linlithgow – 7 Nov, £7/£20 family
- West Calder – 7 Nov, Donation
Related Posts You Might Like:
- Rainy Day Rescues in Edinburgh
- 50 Things To Do With Kids in Edinburgh
- Family Life in Stockbridge, Edinburgh
- Choosing the Best Areas of Edinburgh For Young Families
Have you been to any of these displays before? I’d love to know which one’s your favourite – leave a comment below!
