Bonfire Night 2026: fireworks around Aberdeen

Bonfire Night is one of those autumn traditions that still pulls out the towns and villages across the North East, and this year there is plenty to choose from around Aberdeen, with displays spread across the end of October and the first week of November.

The biggest one is the Aberdeen City display on Thursday 5 November, launched from the end of North Pier at the Port of Aberdeen on the Beach Esplanade at 19:30. It runs for about twenty minutes, and the best place to watch from is the south end of the Esplanade, near the Fittie toilets. It is free and managed by the Scottish Government, but there is no parking on site, with road closures in force from around 19:00, so the Park and Ride buses from Bridge of Don and Kingswells are the sensible way in. Blue badge parking is available via York Street to Waterloo Quay, though it is limited and first come first served.

If you would rather a full evening out than a quick show, Stonehaven at Mineralwell Park on Sunday 1 November is the one to plan around. Gates open at 17:30, the bonfire is lit at 18:00 and the fireworks start at 19:00, with Mearns FM live music, the Mearns Camera Club, a funfair running all night and food stalls doing burgers, fish and chips, German sausages, doughnuts and sweets. Tickets are £5 for adults and £1 for under 16s, cash or contactless, and the whole thing is run by volunteers with every penny going to local charities. Public transport is the way to go here, with bus stops next to the park and the train station a ten-minute walk away, and all municipal car parks free for the night. Wheelchair access is easier through the Cowie bridge entrance, and wellies are genuinely recommended.

Banchory follows on Saturday 7 November, with gates at 17:30, a lantern procession at 17:45, the bonfire lit at 18:30 and fireworks at 19:00. There is a special lantern parade put on with The Barn as part of the Illuminate Together project, DJ Pete McIntosh from Original 106 on the music, hot food stalls and light gifts for children, with a suggested donation of £5 for adults, £3 for children or £15 for a family of four, cash or card, all going to local charities.

For an earlier night, Aboyne and Ellon both go on Saturday 31 October. Aboyne is at Aboyne Green, the same park as the Highland Games, with gates at 17:30, the bonfire at 18:00 and fireworks at 19:30, leaning into a Halloween atmosphere for all ages. Ellon's 'Sparks in Gordon Park' opens the North East season with a low-impact display at 17:30 and the main show at 19:30, plus a funfair, hot food, tea and coffee and light-up toys, with costumes encouraged and a suggested donation of £4 for adults and £1 for children.

Beyond those, the calendar fills up quickly: Ballater at Monaltrie Park on Monday 6 November at 19:00; Elgin at Cooper Park on Saturday 7 November at 18:00; Forres at Grant Park on Saturday 7 November with the bonfire at 18:30 and fireworks at 19:00; Kintore at Kintore Pleasure Park on Sunday 1 November with gates at 17:30 and fireworks at 19:30; Laurencekirk on Oatyhill Road on Friday 6 November at 18:30; Longside at Davidson Park on Thursday 5 November at 18:15; Oldmeldrum at the Pleasure Park on Saturday 7 November at 18:00; and Peterhead at the Famous Gadle Braes on Thursday 5 November at 19:30. A few general rules apply across the lot: dress warmly with coats and waterproofs, leave pets at home, and expect most events to run on a suggested donation, with Aberdeen the exception at free.