Fireworks night – a time when any party is guaranteed to go off with a bang! Sparklers at the ready for an evening of flashes, crashes and lots of fun. Here are We Are Cornwall’s top ten family firework displays and some smaller events. There should be one close at hand, wherever you are in the county…
Bude - Friday November 3
Bonfire night at Bude Rugby Club, at Bencoolen Meadow, Bude, a short distance from the sea. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm and fireworks start at 7pm. There’s hot dogs and burgers, a bar and hot and cold drinks plus a sweets stall. Tickets £5.
Watergate Bay, Newquay - Saturday November 4
WAX, the cocktail bar and restaurant in Newquay and Watergate Bay, is hosting a free non-profit community fireworks event with collections for local organisations, raffles, BMX demonstrations, music and stands selling hot drinks and food. The fireworks will be launched by a professional team from the hills around Watergate Bay and viewing areas will be clearly defined on the night. Car parking in Watergate Bay's large car parks. From 7pm.
Launceston – Saturday November 4
There’s a lovely firework display in Coronation Park, Windmill Hill, Launceston with all profits to improvements at the park. Beacon lighting is at 7pm and the fireworks start at 7.15pm. Buy tickets in advance from the Tourist Information Centre on 01566 772321. It’s £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and a family of four can go for £12.50.
Saltash – Saturday November 4
Kalan Gwav (it’s Cornish for the first day of winter) was held for the first time last year with around 5,000 people attending. It’s repeated this year at Warfelton Field, Callington Road, with a host of apple, wassail and Halloween activities from 2pm with market stalls, inflatables and live entertainment. At 4.30pm the winners of the scarecrow trail, fancy dress and Bake Off competition will be announced followed at 5pm by the Wassail and lighting of the beacon. Fireworks start at 6.30pm. Local charities will benefit including the Royal British Legion and the RSPB.
Newquay – Sunday November 5
Newquay's main firework display this year takes place at Newquay Sports Centre in Yeoman Way, Tretherras with face painters for the children and refreshments on site from 6.30pm. The fireworks start at 7pm. There’s no parking, so allow plenty of time to walk there. This event is being organised by Newquay BID, Newquay Town Council and Visit Newquay.
Bodmin - Sunday November 5
At the football ground at Priory Park where gates open at 6pm. There’s live music, fairground rides, sweet stalls, sidestalls and burger and hot dog tents. There’s also a Best Guy competition. Tickets can be bought from a number of outlets in the including Morrisons and Bodmin Football Club. They are £2 for children and £3.50 for over 16s. Tickets are also available on the gate (£3 and £5). Under fives are free. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm with fireworks at 7.30pm.
Callington – Saturday November 4
Thanks to sponsorship from Ginsters, it’s free entry at Callington Community College for this bumper display. Doors open at 5.30pm and there will be a live band, Pirate FM, children’s attractions and hot food on sale. The fireworks are at 8pm.
Liskeard – Sunday November 5
Liskeard and Looe Round Table have organised the fundraising fireworks at Liskeard Rugby Training Ground – gates open at 7pm, display starts at 7.30pm. Burgers and hot and cold drinks on sale. Tickets are £4 for adults, children £1 and a family of two adults and up to three children will pay £10.
Falmouth – Sunday November 5
Falmouth Firefighters have organised this display with the help of Falmouth Cricket Club and the display is held at the cricket ground in Trescobeas Road. The evening starts at 6pm with fireworks at 7pm. It’s one of the biggest displays in the county with proceeds to charity. There’s no car parking on site, so allow time to get there. Pirate FM will provide the entertainment and there will be stalls selling hotdogs, burgers, a hog roast and doughnuts. There will also be a children’s fairground ride. Entry is £4 for adults, £2 for children. Last year’s event raised around £8,000.
St Agnes – Sunday November 5
The Driftwood Spars hotel at Trevaunance Cove is hosting a free fireworks display with a caged fire, children’s entertainer, food stalls, outdoor bar with mulled wine and mulled cider. Starts at 5pm.
Other displays
Thursday November 2
Torpoint - HMS Raleigh firework display. Gates open 6pm, Royal Marine Band 6.40pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Free entry with a bucket collection for charitable donations.
Friday November 3
St Austell – Brannel School at St Stephen between 5pm and 8pm. Free entry. BBQ and refreshments.
St Keverne – The Three Tuns pub hosts a family fireworks display in aid of St Keverne Christmas Lights. Starts at 5.30pm with burgers, bacon rolls and other hot food on sale. The bonfire is lit at 6.30pm with fireworks at 7pm. Adults £3, children £1 under twos free.
Trebarwith – Fantastic display of fireworks from Celebration Pyrotechnics at The Mill House with hog roast, BBQ, live music. From 6pm. Adults £2, children £1.
Truro – Gates open at Tremorvah Playing Fields, Bodmin Road, at 5pm with bonfire at 5.45pm and fireworks at 6.45pm. Stalls selling hot food and drinks, snacks, glow-sticks and sparklers. In aid of Cornwall Air Ambulance and Penhaligon’s Friends. Adults £3, children £1.
Saturday November 4
Hayle – Leedstown School with BBQ and refreshments. Gates open 5pm. Tickets £3.50 for adults, children over three, £2.
Looe –Tencreek Holiday Park, organised by Liskeard and Looe Round Table. From 7pm, display starts at 7.30pm. Adults £4, children £1 and families (two adults, up to three children) £10. Burgers, hot and cold drinks bar.
Malpas – The Heron Inn hosts with hog roast, pasties and hot mulled cider. Fireworks at 6.30pm from a barge on the river. Road closures at the inn, but a shuttle bus from Sunny Corner from 5pm to 6.30pm.
Polperro – The whole town joins in the fun from 6.30-8.30pm. Watch the display at Peak Rock.
The Lizard – Gates open at 6.30pm at The Lizard Football and Social Club. Hot food available.
Truro – The 10th Tregony Fireworks event takes place at Tregony Sports Field with bonfire and refreshments and the traditional best dressed guy competition. Gates open 6.30pm. Adults £4, children £3.
Wendron – Wendron Cricket Club bonfire and display at Underlane, Carnkie from 6.30pm. Free parking. Adults £4, children £1.
Sunday November 5
Ruan Minor – A professional firework display, electronically controlled, at the Recretation Ground.
Gates open at 6pm and the fireworks start at 6.45pm. Refreshments and a licensed bar until midnight.
Trevone – At the Well Parc Hotel. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7.30pm - BBQ followed by live entertainment in the pub with Billy and Steve. Entrance £4 per person.
Tywardreath – In aid of the school’s pool and playground equipment. Gates open 5.30pm with locally sourced BBQ and refreshments. Fireworks at 7pm. Tickets from the school: Adults £4, children £3, family of four £10.