Bonfire Night on the English Riviera is a highlight of the autumn calendar, with Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham each hosting spectacular fireworks displays and community celebrations. Families can look forward to safe and welcoming events that combine the excitement of fireworks with food, music, and entertainment, with local attractions too. In Torquay, fireworks are always lighting up the seafront, creating a memorable backdrop, while Paignton and Brixham bring their own traditions to the evening with family-friendly gatherings and bonfires.
Bonfire nights in Torquay
Celebrate bonfire night in Torquay this year with us! As Winter starts to draw in, grab your gloves and your sparklers and make your way to a warming bonfire or fireworks night in Torquay, Paignton or Brixham. Everyone loves to celebrate Guy Fawkes night and we love to do it style, so come and join us. There are lots of different types of bonfire and firework night events happening across the whole Bay and in the surrounding area so take a look at the list below and take your pick!
Bonfire night firework displays Across South Devon
Grab your sparklers because you’ll find firework displays taking place in the towns of Paignton, Torquay, Babbacombe, and Brixham to mark Bonfire Night. Lupton House near Brixham usually organises a BBQ too, so you can feed the troops. And there are also lots of other displays across South Devon within easy driving distance.
Lanterns, lights and ‘luminations in Brixham
The quaint fishing town of Brixham gets you blazing into the Christmas spirit with its Lanterns, lights and ‘luminations event. Marking the switch-on of Brixham’s very pretty festive lights, you can enjoy a wonderful firework display following the beautiful parade of lanterns. If you want to be part of the lantern parade, you can even join a workshop during the day to make one. Or stock up on presents at the Christmas street market on the same day.
Paignton Festival Fireworks on the Seafront
The Paignton Festival kicks off a week of festivities with a fabulous firework display that ignites the Bay. If you’ve been visiting the English Riviera for many years, you may know it as the Torbay Carnival. An annual event at the end of July, other activities usually include a fabulous carnival procession, which goes through the town. But for the fireworks, the place to be is at The Green on Paignton’s seafront.
Dartmouth Royal Regatta Firework Displays
During the day at the Dartmouth Royal Regatta, eyes may be firmly on the boats and vessels pootling around the river. But come the evening, raise your eyes skywards for two spectacular firework displays. Set off from a barge on the river, the fireworks’ beauty is doubled by the reflections in the water. We think the best spot to view them is on the South Embankment, close to the RNLI shed, but wherever you sit or stand you’ll be in for a treat. The Regatta normally takes place in last week of August, so pencil in a trip to Dartmouth if you’re visiting then.
The British Firework Championships in Plymouth
Is there anything better than a firework display? Well how about two thrilling nights of displays where firework companies vie to be crowned British Champions? Every year in August, Plymouth plays host to the British Firework Championships where pyrotechnic experts put on their best, most showy displays. The ideal place to watch is on Plymouth Hoe, which is an easy drive from Torbay. Alternatively, catch the train or get a bus to Plymouth from stops in Torquay and Paignton.
If you want to light up your next trip to the English Riviera, search our site for firework displays.