16 FREE Firework Displays In North East England

Where will you be watching fireworks displays in the North East this year? 

As well as many displays with an admission charge there are plenty of FREE places to watch fireworks this year in North East England. Here are sixteen that we have found for 2018. Although they are all free events, donations are often welcomed. 

So get the family together, wrap up warm, stay safe and take note of The Firework Code and head to an organised Bonfire and Fireworks display. 

16 FREE Firework Displays In North East England

On the 5th of November, 1605 Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King’s escape from assassination in Gunpowder Plot by lighting bonfires. This tradition continues to this day, often including the burning of an effigy of Guy Fawkes and the launch of colourful fireworks into the night sky. Here are 16 that we have found for 2018 … if you know of any other free firework displays across North East England please do add them in the comments.

Thursday 1 November

Fireworks at the Fort, Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum, Wallsend
4.30pm – 7pm

There is no charge to enter Segedunum from 4pm and fireworks start at 6.30pm. Bring your oohs and aahs to fireworks at the fort and see the night sky over the River Tyne light up where the iconic Swan Hunter would launch its ships. As well as the firework extravaganza, why not explore the museum exhibits or have a bite to eat in the cafe before choosing the best spot outside to watch the display at 6.30pm? Families can design and make a firecracker crown in a fun drop- in activity for all the family too before the display. This year you can get a Roman soldier selfie with Victor the centurion too. 

Friday 2 November

Seaham: Free fireworks display
6pm - 8pm, Seaham Seafront

A fireworks spectacular at Seaham seafront with fairground rides, fire dancers, food & drink and craft stalls. The fun starts at 5pm with the firework display due to start at 7pm.

Poacher's Pocket, Whickham
From 5pm

Amazing fireworks display with DJ playing all the top tunes with rides and sweet stalls.

Saturday 3 November

Raby Arms Pub & Kitchen, Hart Village, Hartlepool

5pm - 7pm

From 5pm in Raby Arms Car Park with lantern parade at 5.30pm to Hart Church Field with display at 6.15pm

Redcar Cricket Club Fireworks Display, Redcar
4.30pm – 11pm

BBQ food available as well as can bars, rides for the children, light up toys, a prize every time stall, sweet stall and the chocolate kebab stall is making a return. Parking is free in the car park on Kirkleatham Street that runs along the railway. Please do not bring your own fireworks other than sparklers.

Clennell Hall Hotel & Bar, Northumberland
5pm – 11pm

Following the spectacular displays of recent years Clennell Hall Presents its biggest and best Firework Display

Hexham Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks 2018
6.30pm – 7.30pm

Hexham Round Table manage and run the annual bonfire and fireworks display and are generously supported by other local charities and organisations. Bonfire is lit at 6.30pm, fireworks are ignited around 7pm. All proceeds donated at the event go to local charities and good causes.

Stanley Fireworks Festival: Oakeys Park & Playing Fields
5pm - 8pm

Stanley Fireworks returns with a full evening of entertainment for everyone including a spectacular Sci-Fi themed fireworks display.

The Twice Brewed Inn Fireworks Display, Bardon Mill, Northumberland
6pm – 11pm

Hot dogs at 6pm and fireworks at 7pm

Sunday 4 November

North Tyneside Fireworks Display - The Links, Whitley Bay
6pm - 7.30pm

This annual fireworks display attracts thousands of people to see a spectacular show overlooking the North Sea off Whitley Bay. Traffic in the area will be busy but there's always the Metro. In the event of bad weather, the event will take place the following night. Time: 6pm for the rides and refreshments. The display, expected to last about 20 minutes, will begin at 7pm

Free fireworks display at Stockton Riverside
Gates open 5pm, display 6.30pm.

Join in on Stockton’s Riverside for the spectacular Stockton Fireworks, the theme for this year’s display is War & Peace. This fantastic free event will start with a special BBC Tees Radio roadshow, featuring music performances and special guests, before all eyes will look to the sky for a spectacular display and colourful tribute to the impact of war and a celebration of peace. There will be a fun for all the family including a funfair and food stalls, so be sure to wrap up warm for one of the highlights of Stockton's events calendar.

Please note-the Fireworks display will start at 6.30pm. The BBC Tees Radio Roadshow starts from 5pm. Visitors can also enjoy a fairground in Parliament Street car park (open 5pm-9.30pm) as well as a smaller children’s funfair at High Street car park (open 5pm-8.30pm) and refreshments stalls at Bishop Street car park, so be sure to wrap up warm for one of the highlights of Stockton’s events calendar.

Monday 5 November

Peterlee Fireworks Display at The Pavillion
Gates open at 5pm, with the display at 6.30pm.

Bonfire Night celebration with a fireworks display and family entertainment. Fun fair from 5pm to 8pm and fireworks display at 6.30pm.

Hartlepool Fireworks Display at the seafront at Seaton Carew
4pm-7pm.

Let's Hear It For The Girls is the theme of this year's event, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first women being granted the right to vote. A funfair will open at 4pm, the entertainment will start at 5pm, and the fireworks display will commence at 6.30pm. The front, between the Station Lane and Elizabeth Way junctions, will be closed from 6.15-7.15pm.

Causey Arch Inn, Beamish Burn Road
4pm – 8pm

Go along and enjoy a fantastic display of fireworks at The Causey! The restaurant is open until 9pm and there will be a bouncy castle ( weather permitting), hook the duck and many other things to keep the little ones happy!

Firework Display hosted by Royal Oak Cornsay Colliery, Durham
6.30pm – 8pm 

This fantastic firework display is done to music from Dusk Till Dawn. Great Fun for all the family to enjoy. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chips etc Hot and Cold Drinks to be purchased from food van.

Sunday 11 November

South Tyneside Remembers
5pm – 7.05pm

November 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Organisations and communities the length and breadth of the UK, as well as in countries abroad, will come together on the day to remember the sacrifice of the millions of men and women who died, or returned home wounded, during the harrowing four year conflict.

This large scale display will replace the annual Bonfire night fireworks displays, which are usually held a week earlier.

5pm - Beacon of Light
Beacons will be lit across the UK to symbolise the 'light of hope' that emerged from the darkness of war. A beacon and illuminating 6' Tommy silhouette will be lit at Harbour Drive.

5pm- 5.45pm
Residents are invited to gather at Harbour Drive South car park to see a short programme of commemorative performances as well as hear a moving reading of letters sent from the front line.

5.45pm Fireworks - to WW1 songs

6pm End of Fireworks

6.01pm Gun fires 5 shots then 'Guns Fall Silent'

6.03pm Ace of remembrance

6.05pm Buglers play Last Post

6.06pm Pipers to play 'Flowers of the Forest'

6.10pm End of event

7.05pm Ringing out for peace

Bells in 1,000 churches and cathedrals across the country will ring out to commemorate the end of the First World War.

Sparkler Safety tips

Did you know a simple sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2,000°C? That's over 15 times the boiling point of water. Always ...

• Store sparklers and fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place
• Always light them one at a time and wear gloves
• Plunge finished sparklers - hot end down - into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out
• Remember sparklers can stay hot for a long time
• Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely
• Remember, always take care when holding a sparkler and never hold a baby or child if you have one in your hand!
• Never give sparklers to children under 5. They will not understand how to use them safely.
• Always supervise children using sparklers.
• Give them gloves to wear when holding sparklers
• Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes as they may catch alight
• Show children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length, and not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them

Keeping Pets Safe on Bonfire Night

As you can see from the list above it's not just November 5th, but you may need to have your pets indoors on several nights when displays maybe taking place.

Pets hate bangs and flashes and get very frightened on fireworks night so keep all your pets indoors and close all the curtains to help keep them calm, and play music or put your TV on to drown the noise. And exercise your dog/s during the day and never walk your dog/s while fireworks are being let off.

Remember, remember the 5th of November this year though and stay safe at an organised Firework display. Where will you be heading to watch fireworks?

Deb x

As with all events these firework event details and timings are approximate and subject change – please do check with organisers before heading out.

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