If you are looking for a Bonfire Night plan that works for the whole family, the Utilita Bowl Fireworks Party is one of the bigger fixtures on Southampton's autumn calendar. The 2026 edition is set for Friday 6 November at the Utilita Bowl on Botley Road in West End, and it is built for all ages, from young children to grandparents, so it is as much a family night out as it is a date or a catch-up with friends.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Southampton and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The centrepiece is, of course, the fireworks display itself, which runs against the backdrop of the stadium with colours and effects timed to a curated popular soundtrack. Around it, the evening is fleshed out with fairground rides and attractions for both children and adults, seasonal entertainment, and a spread of food and drink stalls turning out hot drinks, soft drinks, hot food, snacks, sweet treats and the usual Bonfire Night favourites. It is the kind of event that gives you something to do before the main display starts, rather than just standing around waiting for the first rocket.
Timing is worth planning a bit of. Gates open at 5:30pm and close at 7pm, which is earlier than in previous years and gives you more time to work through the fairground and grab something to eat before the fireworks are due to start at around 7:30pm. The exact duration of the display and the full evening schedule have not been confirmed, so it is worth arriving with the expectation that the fireworks are the finale rather than the whole night. Viewing is unreserved, with a choice of seating or pitch standing, so where you end up depends on when you get in.
On the practical side, there is wheelchair-accessible seating and buggy parks, and you can request parking close to the gate if you need it. On-site parking is limited and can be pre-booked, which is worth sorting in advance if you are driving. A note for families with young children or anyone with sensory sensitivities: the event includes flashing lights and loud noises, so it is worth weighing that up before you commit.
Tickets start at £13 through the official Utilita Bowl page, with children under five getting in free. Another source lists under-17 tickets from £9, with under-fives still free, so it is worth double-checking the official ticket page for the latest pricing before you buy. The organiser describes the event as high-demand and potentially sell-out, so booking early is the sensible move rather than leaving it to the night itself. If you have questions, the general enquiries and ticket office line is 023 8047 2002.
Beyond the fireworks, the venue carries on as a busy site year round, with suites, meeting and event spaces, bespoke catering, restaurants, a spa, a gym and luxury accommodation at the Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl. Its exhibition and team-building space takes up to 700 guests, with multi-suite options for larger events, and it hosts private functions like birthday parties, anniversaries and christenings. Private dining at the stadium and pavilion starts at £45 a head, and a Hilton dinner-party package runs at £46 for a private room and a three-course set menu. For a single evening, though, it is the fireworks that draw the crowds.
Published Date
17 September 2026
More information
