Hastings Bonfire

It’s loud. Torchlit Procession with Fireworks along the route, Drumming, Bonfire, Effigy and Grand Finale Firework Display on the beach. This is a ‘no ticket’ event put on for free by the hard work and determination of HBBS volunteers. Please support us where you can. For having a good time on the night, please see the information below…

Summary details for Sat 17th October 2026
(or try to get a programme – they are likely to sell out early in the day again this year!)

Typical timings are: –

From 9:30am – children’s Guy making competition at The British Tea Museum, 42 George St, Hastings TN34 3EA – under 16s.
Judging at 2pm by The Mayor for the winning Guy to take pride-of-place on the bonfire

4pm – donate something for a programme around the Stade, or Old Town or bonfire area. Look out for stripy jumpers and other odd people. Many pubs have them available along with a collection bucket.

5pm – Road closure coming into force in time for the Junior Member’s procession. Please don’t park on the promenade route; all road closures will be in place until 11pm.

5.30pm – Junior Member’s Procession – torchlit procession from the Stade to the Fire site . The procession will consist of a lead banner followed by Juniors and parents. The procession will be met by a Pyrotechnic salute on reaching the fire site.

6:30-6:45pm – procession members Form up – bonfire societies, drummers and dance bands form on the Seafront between Robertson Street and The White Rock Hotel. Watch out for the lamppost lettering to find where your society should form up. Toilets and drinks are available at our Headquarters: The White Rock Hotel. Torches will be distributed to members of the Bonfire Societies at the procession assembly point on the pavement (near Source Park).

6.45pm – Beacon Lit. Hastings runs bring lit torches to the assembly point.

7:00 pm – The America Ground Ceremony. The America Ground Proclamation is read at the entrance to The America Ground.

7.15 pm – Torchlit Procession The procession light their torches and set off from the junction of Robertson Street and the A259.

7.45 pm As the procession passes the Firesite a loud pyrotechnic set piece is discharged. The procession continues its route around the Old Town. Timings from here become increasingly uncertain depending on conditions/events of the evening.

8.50 pm The procession arrives onto the Firesite heralded by “Chinese Crackers” or other loud fireworks from our very own Renegade Pyrotechnics crew.

c.9.00 pm (when all the procession and the fire carts are inside the fire site) bonfire prayers are said before the bonfire is lit by The Mayor. The torches are thrown in.

c.9:15 pm- Fireworks Display. Renegade Pyrotechnics discharge an ariel display of amazing fireworks. During this display this year’s chosen secret effigy will be dispatched as part of the fireworks.

11pm approximately – road closures end when the Police and other Authorities give the all-clear.