Lewes Bonfire

Lewes Bonfire is a set of celebrations held in the town of Lewes in Sussex, England, and the United Kingdom's largest Bonfire Night festivities, with Lewes being called the bonfire capital of the world.

Always held on 5 November (unless the 5th falls on a Sunday, in which case it is held on Saturday the 4th), the event not only marks Guy Fawkes Night – the date of the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 – but also commemorates the memory of the seventeen Protestant martyrs from the town burned at the stake for their faith during the Marian Persecutions.

Lewes is part of the Sussex bonfire tradition. There are seven societies putting on six separate processions and firework displays throughout Lewes on 5 November. As well as this, 25–30 societies from all around Sussex come to Lewes on the fifth to march the streets. This can result in up to 5,000 people taking part in the celebrations, and up to 80,000 spectators attending in the county market town with a population of just over 17,000.