A guide to ‘biggest’ Cambridge fireworks night event yet and other 2024 displays in Cambridgeshire
The team behind Cambridge’s fireworks night display on Tuesday (5 November) are promising it will be the “biggest and best ever” and there are a raft of other events to choose from around the region too.
Cambridge’s extravaganza on Midsummer Common is one of the largest free displays in the region. The sponsor’s reception will begin at 6pm, and Spark!, the street theatre show combining high-impact drumming with kaleidoscopic colour lighting, will be giving two performances, at 6-6.45pm and at 7.20-8pm, straight after the fireworks. The fireworks display begins at 7pm.
There will be no bonfire following controversy and debate in previous years about how a bonfire is compatible with the city council’s net zero and environmental ambitions.
There will also be music from Star Radio’s Josh Lovatt (6pm-6.55pm) and from funk and soul DJ Chris Brown (7.20pm-8.30pm), as well as an array of food trucks serving street food,
With a large crowd guaranteed, organisers have urged people to allow plenty of time for your journey, arrive early and wherever possible walk, cycle, or use public transport.
Additional Park & Ride services will be available for the evening. For full details, go to cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/fireworks-night.
Visitors with Blue Badges can park in a limited number of spaces at Jesus College, just across the road from the event, and entry is from 4.30pm. Use the Victoria Avenue entrance and arrive prior to the road closures, which begin at 6pm. The exit will be via Jesus Lane. All vehicles exiting Jesus College prior to 8.30pm must turn right onto Jesus Lane, heading away from Four Lamps Roundabout and exit via Bridge Street where the ANPR camera is disabled until 9.30pm.
For those requiring accessible parking after 6pm are recommended to use Grafton West car park.
There will be an accessible marquee to keep visitors dry, and this area is a great spot to watch the fireworks display from further back.
The organisers will also have a cordoned off area right at the front of the action. There is no weather protection for this area, however, so wrap up and bring an umbrella just in case.
A team of stewards will be on hand.
Organised and provided by Cambridge City Council, the event is supported by city businesses and organisations: Illumina, Camena Bioscience, AstraZeneca, University of Cambridge, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Rutherford’s Punting Company, Cambridge Spark, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridge International Academy, Jesus College, Graduate by Hilton Cambridge and media partner, Star Radio.
Mark Robinson, vice president and general manager, UK and Ireland, for Illumina, said: “This is the third year that Illumina has proudly supported Cambridge’s Fireworks Night.
“This is such a major event for our city, and a fantastic way to bring the community together. As one of the last remaining free public events in Cambridge, we encourage everyone to come along and show support so that we can help secure its place on the annual calendar for years to come.”
Cllr Rachel Wade, executive councillor for communities at Cambridge City Council, said: “Cambridge’s fireworks display is a great way for people to enjoy fireworks in a safe and community-friendly way.
“For decades, it has always been a night full of excitement and anticipation, when families and friends converge in their thousands on historic Midsummer Common to enjoy together the dazzling colours and spectacle of a magical fireworks display.
“This is one of the city’s best attended public events, providing a wonderful shared experience for the whole of Cambridge city.
“We are immensely grateful for the community-spirited city businesses and organisations, whose contributions help keep this brilliant event free for all and an autumn highlight for Cambridge.”
Creating the fireworks display is multi award-winning Pains Fireworks. Established in 1862, it is the oldest fireworks display company in the UK.
Tom Cranmer, from Pains, said: “This year’s display at Midsummer Common will be the biggest and best ever, as we fill the sky with more fireworks than ever before!
“The show will be filled with pace, noise and colour as the audience are wowed by the combination of colours and effects that fill the sky.”
Also new for this year is the first Cambridge Fireworks Raffle. A Champagne punting trip, courtesy of Rutherford’s Punting Company, a luxurious collection of Lush bath products, Cambridge Folk Festival tickets and Corn Exchange tickets are the amazing prizes to be won - and tickets are just £1.
Donations are welcome and can be made ahead of the event online at cambridgelive.org.uk/tickets/donations.
Fireworks remains a free event but support from local organisations and the public is essential to help the organisers to sustain it.
Ely
Set against the backdrop of Ely Cathedral at Cherry Hill Park, Ely’s fireworks display takes place on Saturday (2 November) with admission at 5pm.
The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the display itself is to begin at 7pm. Tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for children. For more information, visit facebook.com/FireworksEly/.
Cambourne
Cambourne’s fireworks display will be held at the football pitches at Upper Cambourne on Saturday (2 November).
The fireworks volunteers will be on hand from 5.30pm, with the funfair also due to start at 5.30pm and the fireworks display to follow at 7.30pm, weather permitting.
The event is free but local Army and Air Cadets will be collecting donations. For more information, go to cambournefireworks.co.uk.
Great Shelford
Taking place on Saturday (2 November) at Shelford Rugby Club, and following an afternoon of international rugby on the big screen (England vs New Zealand at 3.10pm and Scotland vs Fiji at 5.40pm), Great Shelford parish fireworks night will get under way at 7pm, with food and drinks stalls and vendors too. Entry to everything is free.
Histon and Impington
Held at Impington Village College on Saturday, 9 November, the gates will open for Histon and Impington’s display at 6pm, with the fireworks at 7pm.
Tickets are £4 for children, £7 for adults or £13 for a family when bought in advance, or £5 for children, £10 or adults and £15 for a family if bought with in 24 hours. Visit bookmyplacenow.uk.
Soham
On Friday (1 November), the Soham Town Rangers FC fireworks display will take place at the club's grounds in Soham.
Gates will open at 5pm, with the fireworks display set to light up the sky at 7.45pm. Tickets are £5 per person.
Admission to this event will not be permitted to anyone under the age of 14, unless accompanied by an adult. Visit tinyurl.com/3tbhfu3v for more information.
Kimbolton Castle
Slightly further afield is the Kimbolton Castle Fireworks show on Friday, 1 November, from 5.45pm.
Come and enjoy an evening of live music, food, funfair and bar, before the nearly 20 minutes of fireworks, set to music and delivered by Titanium Fireworks.
Tickets, priced £14 for adults and £4.50 for under-18s, are advance only. Visit kimbolton.online/event/2024-kimbolton-castle-fireworks for more information.