Running a fireworks display this Bonfire Night: the checks organisers miss

Operational Tactical Strategic By Kris Dailly, OTAS Insights. Published 20 October 2026. Correct as of 20 October 2026.

Published by OTAS Live Ltd · United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Why this matters now

Displays run from late October to the weekend after 5 November. Most organisers know the basics. The points below are the ones that most often get missed. Official guidance comes from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) [1][2].

The night of the week

In England and Wales, the Fireworks Regulations 2004 ban the use of adult fireworks from 11pm to 7am. The cut-off moves to midnight on 5 November, and to 1am on New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali [4]. The only exemption is for local authority staff putting on the authority's own display [4]. OPSS says the times apply to F2, F3 and F4 fireworks [1].

Bonfire Night is a Thursday this year. In England and Wales, a display on Saturday 31 October or Saturday 7 November must finish firing by 11pm. Plan the running order back from that, with a margin.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland. The public may only use adult fireworks from 6pm to 11pm, or until midnight on 5 November [10]. Professional operators and organisers of public displays for community and similar groups may also fire from 7am to 6pm [12]. Councils can designate firework control zones. Igniting a firework in one is an offence, with exemptions for professional operators and community public displays [13][14]. Ask the council whether your site is in a zone.

Northern Ireland. You need a Department of Justice licence to buy, possess and use fireworks other than indoor fireworks and sparklers [15]. One council's guidance says apply at least six weeks before the display, with a site plan [16]. The Department of Justice sets the actual closing dates, so if you do not have a licence yet, contact it now.

Where you can fire

It is an offence to fire fireworks in or into a street, road or public place [7]. In England and Wales it is also an offence to discharge a firework within 50 feet of the centre of a carriageway if a road user is injured, interrupted or endangered [8]. OPSS advises holding the display on private land with the landowner's permission [1].

Three areas, marked in daylight

HSE says plan and mark out the spectator area, the firing zone with a safety zone around it, and the area where fireworks will fall [2]. Only the display operator or firing team go into the firing and safety zones. Nobody goes into the fallout zone [2]. Check in daylight for overhead power lines [1][2]. The distance on each firework's label is the minimum between the firework and spectators: 5 metres for F2 and 25 metres for F3 [1].

Wind and weather

Recheck the weather and wind direction on the day, and think about what happens if the wind changes [2]. OPSS says set up so the wind blows away from people, buildings and vegetation, and increase the space significantly in windy conditions [1]. Read any Met Office warning in full [19]. Agree with the operator, before the day, who decides to delay, change or cancel.

Who to tell

Stewards, crowds and the bonfire

OPSS says one steward for every 250 spectators, plus qualified first aiders [1]. We could not find that ratio in legislation, so use it as a minimum and set numbers from your risk assessment. For ingress and egress, HSE says keep pedestrian and vehicle routes apart where possible, light and mark the exits, and keep emergency access clear [2]. Keep any bar well away from the display, and do not let spectators bring their own fireworks [2].

If there is a bonfire, check inside it for children and animals before lighting, never use petrol or paraffin, and have one person responsible for lighting it [2].

Misfires, the operator and insurance

Never relight a firework, and keep clear of any that fail [2]. Check and clear the site the next morning [2]. If a professional fires the display, agree in writing who does what, including who calls the emergency services [2]. HSE says operators using F4 fireworks must by law have public liability insurance covering their use [2]. Ask to see it.

What to do

Operational: stewards, crew and firers

• Keep everyone except the firing team out of the firing and safety zones, and everyone out of the fallout zone [2].
• Turn away spectators' own fireworks [2].
• Never go near a misfire. Report it to the operator [2].
• Know who calls the emergency services and where first aid is [2].

Tactical: display and site managers

• Walk and mark the site in daylight [1][2].
• In England and Wales, end firing by 11pm, or midnight on 5 November only [4]. In Northern Ireland, follow your licence [15].
• Recheck the wind on the day and agree the stop signal [1][2].
• Brief every steward on the zones and the emergency plan [2].

Strategic: organisers, committees and directors

• Use a professional operator for F4 fireworks [1].
• Confirm the site is authorised. Scotland: check control zones. Northern Ireland: licence first [13][15].
• Consult the police and fire service at least seven days before [1].
• Agree roles and check insurance in writing. Record the risk assessment [1][2].

Action box

Frequently asked questions

What time do fireworks displays have to finish on Bonfire Night?

In England and Wales, midnight on 5 November itself. On other nights, including the weekends either side, the cut-off is 11pm [3][4]. Scotland has its own permitted hours [10][12]. In Northern Ireland, follow your Department of Justice licence [15].

Can volunteers run a fireworks display?

Yes, with category F2 and F3 fireworks only. Category F4 fireworks can only be bought and operated by professional operators [1].

Who do I need to tell about a fireworks display?

The council, and the police and fire service at least seven days before. The CAA if aircraft may be affected. Nearby residents. In Northern Ireland, you also need a Department of Justice licence [1][15][17].

How many stewards does a fireworks display need?

OPSS guidance says one for every 250 spectators [1]. Use it as a minimum and set the final number from your risk assessment.

What if the wind changes on the night?

Agree beforehand who decides to delay, change or cancel. Recheck the wind on the day and set up so it blows away from people [1][2].

What we don't know yet

Which Scottish council areas have firework control zones this year, and the legal basis for the OPSS steward ratio. The full report sets these out.

Interest: OTAS Live Ltd, which publishes EPGN, sells event operations services.

Corrections: if you spot an error, tell us using the contact details on the OTAS Insights page and we will correct it and update the 'Correct as of' date. To ask for this article in another format, use the same contact details.

OTAS Insights: otas.live/insights/

Related OTAS Insights: high wind decisions for outdoor events, https://otas.live/insights/high-wind-decisions-outdoor-events/ and the duty to prevent harassment of crew by the public, https://otas.live/insights/employer-harassment-duty/

Last updated: 20 October 2026. Published by OTAS Insights.

References

All web sources were opened and checked on 20 October 2026.

1. Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), 'Organising non-professional fireworks displays' (GOV.UK, published 15 October 2025). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organising-non-professional-fireworks-displays
2. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 'Organising firework displays'. https://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/fireworks/using.htm
3. GOV.UK, 'Fireworks: the law'. https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law
4. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1836), regulation 7, prohibition of use of certain fireworks at night (England and Wales). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1836/regulation/7
5. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1836), regulation 4, possession by persons under 18 in a public place. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1836/regulation/4
6. Fireworks Act 2003, section 11, offences. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/22/section/11
7. Explosives Act 1875, section 80, penalty for throwing fireworks in thoroughfare. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/38-39/17/section/80
8. Highways Act 1980, section 161, penalties for causing certain kinds of danger or annoyance (England and Wales). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/161
9. The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1553), regulation 31, minimum age limits. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1553/regulation/31
10. Scottish Government, 'Fireworks: the law' (last updated 11 September 2024). https://www.gov.scot/publications/fireworks-the-law/
11. Scottish Government, 'The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021: information on the use of fireworks'. https://www.gov.scot/publications/the-fireworks-scotland-miscellaneous-amendments-regulations-2021---information-on-the-use-of-fireworks/
12. The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/393), regulation 3, as amended. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2004/393/regulation/3
13. Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, section 27, firework control zones. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2022/9/section/27
14. Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, schedule 1, exemptions (paragraphs 12 and 22 in force 22 June 2023). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2022/9/schedule/1
15. nidirect, 'Fireworks' (Northern Ireland). https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/fireworks
16. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, 'Fireworks licence' (Northern Ireland council guidance on the Department of Justice licence). https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/w/fireworks-licence
17. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 'Outdoor laser lights and fireworks'. https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/airspace/event-and-obstacle-notification/commercial-displays-and-events/outdoor-laser-lights-and-fireworks/
18. Home Office, 'Fire safety risk assessment: open-air events and venues' (applies to England, last updated 12 September 2023). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-open-air-events-and-venues
19. Met Office, 'UK weather warnings'. https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings
20. GOV.UK, 'The can-do guide to organising and running voluntary and community events'. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/can-do-guide-for-organisers-of-voluntary-events/the-can-do-guide-to-organising-and-running-voluntary-and-community-events
21. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1541), article 1, citation, commencement and extent (England and Wales only). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/1
22. Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5), section 54, duties in relation to relevant premises. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/5/section/54
23. The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (SI 2006/1254 (NI 9)), article 26, duties in relation to relevant premises. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2006/1254/article/26
24. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (SR 2010/325). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/325/contents/made
25. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1836), regulation 1, citation, commencement and extent (does not extend to Northern Ireland). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1836/regulation/1

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