If you’re a big fan of fireworks, you’re in luck this year! The big displays in the city are spread out over the course of a week, meaning you could don your hat, scarf and gloves to witness the bright lights on several nights.
Here are some of the bigger fireworks displays taking place in Edinburgh this year – and all the advice is to go to an organised display rather than risk injury by organising your own.
Hopetoun House (South Queensferry) – October 29th, 4pm-8pm
The firework display at Hopetoun House is taking place quite early this year, but as it’s on a Saturday, it’s a great opportunity for a day out. This is a good family-friendly event, complete with bonfire, tasty food stalls, and plenty of other entertainment. The fireworks are due to start at 6.30pm, and be sure to get your tickets in advance online at Hub Tickets, or by calling 0131 473 2000.
Scottish Love in Action 
are holding two charity fireworks events in Edinburgh this November.
George Heriot’s Playing Fields (Inverleith Row) – November 4th, 6.30pm – 7.45pm
This event is being run by SLA (Scottish Love in Action), and the night will include music, a parade, a fire circus theatre, and plenty of food and drink. This one is on a Friday night, but is relatively close to the city centre and with plenty of options for parking, so should be accessible after work and school. Again, make sure to book your tickets in advance at Eventbrite.
George Watson’s Rugby Ground (Myreside Road EH10 5DB – November 6th, Two shows one at 4.:30 one at 6:30pm
There will be a pipe band and a costume parade, and the Edinburgh Mela Bollywood Dancers will delight audiences. Tickets here.
Meadowbank – November 5th, 6pm-8pm
Bonfire Night itself is the night for the Meadowbank firework display! If you want to head out for a big show on the big night, this is the place to be. There’ll be plenty of entertainment – inkeeping with this year’s theme of sci-fi – before the big firework display at 7.30pm. Get your tickets online at Ticketsource.
If you aren’t keen on going to a specific event, there are plenty of vantage points around the city to watch the fireworks on Bonfire Night. Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and the Meadows are just some of these – but be sure to keep safe if you’re climbing up high, take a torch for coming back down and stay warm!
Samhuinn Fire Festival 2016
And for something a little different there is the Samhuinn Fire Festival 2016 on 31 October. This begins on The Royal Mile and the procession ends at West Parliament Square. All the proceedings start at 9pm and you don’t need a ticket but you are invited to make a donation to the organisation.
The organisation explains: “Our Samhuinn celebration takes place in Edinburgh’s Old Town which has historic significance as a site of ancient markets and All Hallows fairs, street theatre and performances (especially of the Galoshan plays from which our performance takes its structure). It is also an opportunity for us to bring our form of street theatre and performance right into the heart of the city. Samhuinn has grown steadily over the years and is viewed by audiences of thousands.”
Families are welcome but there is also a Family Samhuinn event on Saturday 29 October. More details here.
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service issue this advice on attending bonfires:
Bonfire Safety Advice
Advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is to attend a safely organised bonfire and firework display. However if you must have a bonfire at home make sure it is well away from buildings, vehicles, trees, hedges, fences, power lines, telecommunications equipment and sheds – and you must ensure that smoke does not cause a nuisance to neighbours or flying embers endanger neighbouring property.
- Never drink alcohol if you are tending a bonfire or setting off fireworks – remember it is an offence to consume alcohol in a public place.
- To reduce the emission of harmful smoke and combustion products bonfires should comprise of untreated wood and paper based materials only.
- There is a danger of explosion from pressurised containers or sealed vessels amongst bonfire material or irresponsibly thrown on burning bonfires.
- Never throw fireworks on bonfires.
- Never use flammable liquids to ignite bonfires – use proprietary fire lighters.
- Smoke from bonfires must not pose a public nuisance, affect visibility on roads or otherwise inconvenience vehicles.
- Sparks, flying embers or burning debris must not endanger nearby property.
- Never leave a burning/smouldering bonfire unsupervised – make sure it is completely extinguished.
Any bonfire failing to satisfy safety conditions or where people are behaving irresponsibly may be deemed dangerous and as such, subject to being either removed, extinguished or otherwise made safe.
