Harrogate district bonfire and fireworks guide

Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November this year, but across the Harrogate district the displays are spread across the whole week, so there's plenty of choice whether you want a midweek family outing or a proper Saturday night out. The biggest draw is the Harrogate Stray Charity Bonfire and Fireworks, run by Harrogate Round Table on Saturday 7 November at the Oatlands Stray, alongside Oatlands Drive near St Aidan's School. It's free to attend with a suggested minimum donation of £5 a person, with all net proceeds going to Mind in Harrogate District and Samaritans Harrogate. Entertainment starts at 5pm, hosted by Your Harrogate with DJ Mark Green and live sets from Joe Morley and Biz Denton; the bonfire is lit at 6.30pm, fireworks follow at 7pm, and the UK Foo Fighters headline at 7.25pm before things wrap up at 9pm. There's hot food and drink from the Harrogate and Nidderdale District Scouts, Cold Bath Brewing Co serving draught beer from a vintage 1961 Citroën H van, and a spread of salt and pepper chicken, wood-fired pizza, ice cream, fruit crumble with custard and fresh doughnuts. Accessibility is well covered with temporary toilets, a dedicated Changing Places unit, track matting for wheelchair access and a new Harrogate Mumbler Welfare Hub with warm seating, blankets, free water and phone charging. There's no parking nearby, so walking or the Harrogate Bus Company routes 1, 7 or 36 are the way to go, and town-centre on-street parking is free after 6pm.

For something a bit quieter, the Queens Head Inn at Kettlesing puts on a family evening on Sunday 1 November from 4pm, fireworks at 7pm, £9 for adults and £3 for under-16s, with food, firepits, face painting, a charity raffle and a silent disco, so book on 01423 770263. Rudding Park at Follifoot also goes on Saturday 7 November, gates at 5pm, a family fire and LED show from 5.45pm to 6.15pm, bonfire at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm, at £15 for adults and £7 for children. In Wetherby, The Ings runs on Saturday 7 November from 5pm at £5 a person, under-2s free with a ticket, with a bonfire, fireworks, funfair rides, games and street food, while Walton Village Hall on School Lane is also on Saturday 7 November from 6pm, £9 for adults, £3.25 for children and free for under-4s. Boston Spa's community display is at Primrose Lane Primary School on Saturday 7 November from 5pm, £5 for adults and £3 for children, and Pateley Bridge at the Nidderdale Showground is on Saturday 7 November from 6pm, entry by donation. Friends of Ashlands at Ashlands Primary School mark their 40th anniversary on Saturday 7 November from 5.30pm, £8 for adults, £6 for ages 3-17, £2 for under-2s and £25 a family, with Blaze Fireworks, a BBQ, bar, marshmallow tent, glow shop and face painting.

Further afield, Ripon Racecourse on Boroughbridge Road is on Friday 6 November, organised by the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, gates at 5.30pm, bonfire at 7pm and fireworks at 7.30pm, advance tickets only via Ticketebo at £10 for adults (16+), £5 for children (3-15) and free for under-3s, with bag searches and no alcohol, fireworks, sparklers, skateboards, scooters or drones. Knaresborough Cricket Club on Aspin Lane is on Wednesday 4 November from 6pm, £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. A few practical tips for any of them: dress in layers with a hat and gloves, waterproof boots and a torch, bring hot drinks and hearing protection for small children, and carry cash or card for donations and food stalls. Parking is tight at the Stray, so walking is really the best option.