Celebrating Bonfire Night in Style

Sparklers, mulled wine, and cozy gatherings around an open fire while gazing up at a night sky illuminated with vibrant colors—this is the essence of Bonfire Night. It’s a time for celebration, remembrance, and perhaps a bit of mischief, as some indulge in the age-old tradition of burning effigies of those who have irked them throughout the year.

Every November 5th—or often during the preceding weekend, because who can truly unwind on a school night—Brits ignite the skies with spectacular fireworks and congregate around bonfires, all in honor of Guy Fawkes, a notorious figure who took the phrase “going out with a bang” to a new extreme.

In 1605, Guy Fawkes and a cadre of English Catholics hatched a plot to blow up Parliament along with King James I, his queen, and their eldest son, hoping to end the persecution against Catholics. Spoiler alert: they failed miserably, and their botched scheme is commemorated each year with a dazzling display of fireworks and festive revelry.

A classic Bonfire Night celebration in Leeds, UK, showcases the spirit of this cherished event.

Traditionally, children would create effigies of Guy Fawkes, asking for “pennies for the guy.” This practice has evolved into colossal firework displays and community bonfires that attract people from all walks of life. Some towns take the occasion quite seriously, occasionally returning to its political roots by tossing their least-favored public figures onto the flames. This year, for example, the target was not politicians but rather members of a rock band and ticket sales platforms.

Throughout the years, numerous public figures have found themselves dubbed “celebrity Guys.” Notable mentions include the short-lived Prime Minister Liz Truss, former US President Donald Trump, and the often-controversial former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

This year, the Edenbridge Bonfire Society in Kent took a different approach with their effigy. On Saturday, November 2, they ignited a towering 11-meter effigy symbolizing Ticketmaster, flanked by the infamous Oasis brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher, who were depicted as marionettes of the ticketing giant.

The effigy featured a man in a business suit, cash spilling from his pockets, and allusions to outrageous ticket prices and the lengthy online queues for tickets. This striking representation served as a pointed critique of Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing strategy for the upcoming Oasis reunion tour.

This year’s effigy of Ticketmaster alongside Oasis has stirred considerable conversation.

• Oasis, Ticketmaster, and LiveNation faced accusations of price gouging for not adequately informing fans about the dynamic pricing of tickets.
• Many eager fans were taken aback to discover that standing tickets, initially advertised for £135 (€160), surged to an astonishing £355 (€421) by the time they reached the online checkout.
• Investigations into Oasis’s use of dynamic pricing have been initiated by both the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in Ireland.
• More than 50,000 tickets for the much-anticipated Oasis comeback tour are slated to be cancelled due to sales on secondary platforms.

As Bonfire Night continues to evolve, it remains a vivid reminder of cultural traditions intertwined with modern-day concerns, uniting communities in celebration and spirited dialogue.