Seasons · 5 min read
Bonfire Night 2026 Weather: Will It Rain on November 5?
Bonfire Night falls on a Thursday in 2026, so many towns will hold their big displays on the weekend before or after. Whenever you go, the weather decides how much fun it is: a cold, clear night is perfect, while wind and rain can call off a display. We looked at 36 years of November 5 weather in London and Edinburgh.
Photo: Editor5807, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
- Date: Bonfire Night falls on Thursday, November 5, 2026; many public displays are held on the nearest weekend.
- London: November 5 averages a high of 11.8°C (53°F) and a low of 5.7°C (42°F).
- Rain: at least 1 mm of rain fell in London on 10 of the last 36 Bonfire Nights, and in Edinburgh on 13.
- Wind: gusts of 50 km/h (31 mph) or more hit Edinburgh on 11 of 36 Bonfire Nights, which can cancel displays.
- Darkness: after the clocks went back on October 25, it is dark well before 5 p.m. in London.
In this article
What is the weather usually like on Bonfire Night?Will it rain on Bonfire Night?When is it too windy for fireworks?What to wear to a bonfire displayWhen will the Bonfire Night forecast be available?Frequently asked questionsWhat is the weather usually like on Bonfire Night?
We calculated the average weather on November 5 from 1990 to 2025 for London and Edinburgh, together with how often it rained and how often strong gusts came through.
| City | Avg high | Avg low | Rain (1 mm or more) | Gusts 50 km/h+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 11.8°C (53°F) | 5.7°C (42°F) | 10 of 36 years (28%) | 8 of 36 years |
| Edinburgh | 9.7°C (49°F) | 5.4°C (42°F) | 13 of 36 years (36%) | 11 of 36 years |
Source: our own calculation from Open-Meteo historical weather data (ERA5), November 5, 1990-2025.
In London, the average November 5 is mild for the time of year, with a high around 12°C and a low around 6°C, so by the time the fireworks start it is usually between 6°C and 10°C. Edinburgh is a couple of degrees cooler during the day and more often wet and windy.
Will it rain on Bonfire Night?
Most Bonfire Nights stay dry. In London, at least 1 mm of rain fell on 10 of the last 36 November 5ths, or about 28% of years. In Edinburgh, it was 13 of 36. The wettest Bonfire Night in our London data was in 2000, with 10.1 mm. Light drizzle is more common than a downpour, but even that can make a muddy field and a damp bonfire.
When is it too windy for fireworks?
Wind is the main reason organised displays get postponed or cancelled. Strong gusts can carry sparks and debris towards spectators, so organisers watch the forecast closely on the day. In our data, gusts of at least 50 km/h (31 mph) occurred on 8 of 36 Bonfire Nights in London and 11 in Edinburgh. See our Beaufort wind scale guide for what different wind speeds feel like.
What to wear to a bonfire display
You stand still for most of the evening, often on damp grass, so dress warmer than the temperature suggests. Wear layers, a hat and gloves, and waterproof shoes or boots. A cold, clear night with little wind is ideal for watching fireworks, but it is also the night when it feels coldest, because the ground cools quickly under a clear sky. Read more in our guide to feels-like temperature.
When will the Bonfire Night forecast be available?
A forecast for a specific evening becomes useful about a week ahead, and the details of rain and wind are most reliable in the last two or three days. Check the London forecast or your own city closer to the date, and keep an eye on the website of the display you plan to visit for any changes.
Frequently asked questions
Will it rain on Bonfire Night 2026?
Based on 36 years of data (1990-2025), at least 1 mm of rain fell on November 5 in London in 10 of 36 years, about 28%. In Edinburgh it was 13 of 36 years. A reliable forecast is available about a week before.
How cold is it on Bonfire Night?
In London, November 5 averages a high of 11.8°C (53°F) and a low of 5.7°C (42°F). In Edinburgh, the average high is 9.7°C (49°F).
When is Bonfire Night 2026?
Bonfire Night is on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Many organised displays take place on the nearest weekend.
Are fireworks cancelled in wind?
Organised displays can be postponed or cancelled when strong gusts are forecast, because wind can carry sparks towards spectators. Check the organiser's website on the day.
Check the weather in London or search another place on the locations page.