Did you see the fireworks and was it London’s best display yet?

Remember, remember, the fifth of November. And the second, third and fourth for that matter, as this whole weekend is packed full of exciting Bonfire Night celebrations. If bright lights and big bangs aren’t your thing however, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the shape of historic cars, ice skating and digital creativity.

Bonfire Night, Various Venues

Marking the failed attempt of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Bonfire Night is a traditional celebration that features huge bonfires, seasonal treats  and, of course, spectacular fireworks. London is renowned for hosting some of the UK’s best displays: check out events at Bishops Park, Richmond and Southwark Park, or see more sparkling ideas. Admission ranges from free to £10 depending on the venue. 2-5 Nov

Barbican Weekender: Natural Circuits 

Unleash your creative side with a free weekend of digital-themed workshops, talks and activities at the Barbican. Exploring the combined power of nature and human ideas, this weekend allows you to become a Tweet poet, hack your t-shirt or contribute to a digital museum of memories. 3-4 Nov

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

See 500 automobiles made before 1905 at this spectacular event, which is the world’s longest-running motoring celebration. The cars will depart from Hyde Park Corner at sunrise on Sunday, driving through the centre of London and along a 60 mile route south to the seaside town of Brighton. If you don’t feel like getting up early, Saturday’s Regent Street Motor Show allows you to see all the vehicles – and some of their drivers – up close between 10am-3.30pm. Both events are free. 3-4 Nov

Ice Skating at Canary Wharf and the Natural History Museum

The first of London’s many festive ice rinks open this weekend, and if you’re in the mood for frosty family fun the Natural History Museum (from 2 Nov) and Canary Wharf (from 3 Nov) are both great destinations. Both venues have refreshments available, and this year Canary Wharf also boasts London’s first skate path. Ticket prices and opening times vary. Until Jan

UK Jewish Film Festival, Various Venues

Cinemas around London host many of this prestigious festival’s events, and this weekend kicks off the 16th UK Jewish Film Festival with a wide range of premieres and screenings in the capital. You can see films covering a diverse mix of subjects, ranging from documentaries and hard-hitting wartime dramas to romantic comedies and shorts. See the website for full details and ticket prices. 1-18 Nov

By Amanda Craighead-Wheeler

Bonfire Night is a great way to experience London after dark. The Houses of Parliament are where the traditional began – and almost ended – in 1605. As well as over a dozen firework displays in the week around 5 November, London has a wealth of themed parties, gigs and club nights over the weekend where you can get the most bang for your Bonfire Night.

Battersea Park fireworks are one of the biggest displays. As well seeing them on the ground, there’s also the chance to see them on the river and even in the air. Thames Dinner Cruises are offering a Bonfire Night special, with drinks, live music and a special cruise letting your enjoy London at night and alight. The EDF Energy London Eye is offering 30 minute flights, giving you the chance take in not just one display but as many as the eye can see.

There are more unusual ways to remember the gunpowder, treason and plot, too. Club de Fromage at the O2 Islington is a club for those who like to wear silly outfits and party hard, playing all kinds of pop from the last 40 years. The club’s Neon Night special takes place on 3 November with upbeat cheesy tracks, bright lights, friendly faces and fancy dress.

If you want something more erudite, try the Midnight Apothecary on 3 November, a pop up cocktail bar on the roof gardens at the Brunel Museum. Five pounds will get you entry to the opening of the first tunnel under a river, the chance to try cocktails with ingredients handpicked from the museum’s gardens, and of course a bonfire and sparklers.

Have we missed any? Tell us if there’s somewhere you know that paints London red (or green, or gold with sparkles…)

London’s gone festival-crazy this weekend: can you fit them all into your schedule?

The Mayor’s Thames Festival

The River Thames is the stage for The Mayor’s Thames Festival – London’s largest free festival. For its sixteenth year, the programme of events in, on and alongside the water include some which tell the stories of the river’s ships. HMS Belfast will host choirs and drummers for a piece inspired by the vessel’s arctic sea battle in 1943, and  Turner Prize-nominated artist Richard Wilson has used ships horns to make the Cultureship De Walvisch sing her own sea shanty, retracing her cargo journeys of the past. The spectacular Night Carnival finale returns with 1,500 illuminated dancers, drummers, lantern-carriers and masqueraders parading the streets, followed by a huge fireworks display against the city skyline. 8-9 Sep

Unlimited

The Paralympic Games may be drawing to a close, but the renewed cultural focus on disability hopefully won’t. The Unlimited Festival involves disabled and deaf artists in some striking pieces. If you can catch her show, Scottish dancer Claire Cunningham will stage one of her personal and unforgettable performances with her crutches – Ménage à Trois explores her 20-year relationship with them and asks if it’s possible to find love when there are already three of you in a relationship. Until 9 Sep

Hackney Film Festival
East London’s celebration of all things cinema is back for a third year showcasing film screenings, Q&As, live cinema shows and film artist performances from the creative borough. Independent and Bafta-winning films are on the bill of short films at Rio Cinema: highlights include The Odyssey, where director Asif Kapadia collects Londoners’ opinions of the 2012 Olympics using aerial photography, audio interviews and archive footage. For an abstract experience check out Saturday’s ‘expanded cinema’ evening, where artists will distort film and fuse it with other mediums using tape recorders, lenses, projectors, animation and the Victorian zoetrope. 7-9 Sep

Future Cinema Presents Grease

Danny, Sandy and the gang from cult teen movie Grease will transform Barnes Common into a 1950s USA high school set this weekend, for one of Future Cinema’s immersive productions. The location was only revealed a few days ago and details are always cryptic, but it looks like we can expect a funfair, sleepover at Frenchie’s, food at Frosty’s diner and of course, a screening of the classic motion picture at the end. Tickets are selling fast – but a new batch of tickets for Friday and Saturday are being released at 1pm today. 7-9 Sep

Got some tips for what to do this weekend? Add them below.

Earlier this week, Southwark Cathedral commemorated the 800th Anniversary of the Great Fire of Southwark with two firework displays from the tower of the Cathedral. Here’s a video capturing the occasion.

The specially commissioned fireworks took place after an Evensong where the London Fire Brigade presented their old Standard to the Dean of Southwark Cathedral, The Very Revd Andrew Nunn. Standard bearers from the Fire Service presented the flags while wearing full ceremonial regalia.

The Very Revd Andrew Nunn said, “This 800th anniversary gives us, here in Southwark, the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the more than 7,000 members of staff of the London Fire Brigade, 5,800 of whom are uniformed operational firefighters and officers, which comprises a significant proportion of the total number of fulltime firefighters across the UK.”

For more information on Southwark Cathedral, visit cathedral.southwark.anglican.org

As well as a shiny new crest and a weekend of celebrations, the Royal Borough of Greenwich proudly showed off its new status with a stunning fireworks display last night.

What else?!

Happy New Year from all at www.visitlondon.com…

For a Night with a Bang!

Thousands of people will head to Central London for the fireworks display but if you don’t want to stand outside, there are plenty of places to watch from indoors. Many restaurants and bars offer great views and special menus, including:

• Giraffe, South Bank: Dinner, live DJ and a glass of fizz. £85
• Feng Sushi, South Bank: Sushi, a Champagne cocktail and access to the Royal Festival Hall Terrace. £95
• Min Jiang, Royal Garden Hotel: A five-course Chinese banquet with a glass of Champagne, dancing til 2am and a view of the fireworks from the tenth floor. £160
• Royal Festival Hall: Gabby Young and Other Animals headline this huge party with live music, silent disco, cabaret and access to the Royal Festival Hall terrace for the fireworks. £80

Glide Into 2012

Book a New Year’s Eve skate session at Somerset House Ice Rink. Keep warm and energised with hot chocolate and cupcakes from Tom’s Skate Lounge and enjoy a free glass of Champagne at midnight (tickets £50 for skaters, £35 spectators).

Enter the Jungle

A chance for big kids to take over the Rainforest Café at the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve party. Get stuck in to a three-course dinner in the colourful jungle setting. There’s live entertainment until midnight and dancing till 2pm (£65 including a glass of bubbly on arrival).

Spice Things Up

Head to Dishoom for a “Bombay Vintage Glam Party” with a five-course feast, henna artist, impressionist and DJ set from Cornershop. (£85 including a chocolate cherry Champagne cocktail).

Check out our New Year page for more ideas and let us know if you have any more in the comments below.

We’re offering you the chance to win three night’s accommodation, including New Year’s Eve,  at LSE Passfield Hall in London.

With your accommodation sorted, you’ll be free to plan a fantastic night of celebration in the capital, whether you want to see the spectacular fireworks display, take an evening cruise along the Thames, or hit one of London’s fabulous clubs.

LSE Passfield Hall is a student residence, open to guests outside of term-time. With a central location close to Euston station, you can easily walk to many London attractions. Breakfast is included and there are snack-making facilities in communal areas.

Don’t miss the party. Enter now to win New Year’s Eve accommodation in London

Mark Baynes shared this photo of fireworks over London with the Visit London Flickr group. Although the fireworks in the picture were part of September’s Thames Festival, there will be thousands of fireworks going off in London tonight as it’s Bonfire Night.

Check out our list of London firework displays and don’t forget to share your fireworks photos with us on Flickr tomorrow!