It’s the ultimate winter date night. A proper festival vibe. A bona fide legend in London’s events scene. Ally Pally’s Fireworks Festival is back for 2023 on November 3 and 4, and it’s going all-out. Expect live music, DJs and family entertainment spread out nearly the whole 196 acres of the park, from fairground rides to jaw-dropping performances and mouth-watering street food. And of course, you’ve got the fireworks themselves – which Alexandra Palace is famed for. Here are five reasons why you should book tickets to what it’s calling the ‘Glastonbury of Fireworks’.
We all know nobody does fireworks quite like Ally Pally. Be amazed by a display inspired by 150 years of fireworks, featuring rockets, zingers and Catherine wheels of all kinds. Friday features a soundtrack of club classics, while Saturday comes scored by the best film soundtracks of all time. Of course, this comes coupled with a massive bonfire, which will be sitting proudly above the city skyline.
Of course, you’re going to want to eat. Luckily, the StrEATlife Village is bringing you over 35 of London’s top street food vendors, craft beer bars, cocktails and anything else you could need. Bringing the festival vibes to this part of the event will be DJs Fat Tony (Friday) and DJ Spoony (Saturday). That’s not all though, get German Bier Festival tickets and you’ll get to take part in the UK’s largest Bier festival with a live oompah band and London’s pop institution Club De Fromage on the decks. Tribute acts in the German Bier festival will be Elton John (Friday) and Kylie Minogue (Saturday).
You can’t get a performance more fitting for a firework display. Catch ‘Lords of Lightning’ from Glastonbury's Arcadia, which will have performers shooting multi-million-volt bolts from their bodies. No, really. In other performances, the cage performers would shoot lightning bolts at different sonic frequencies from their bodies, all to an electronic music soundtrack. Will they be bringing the heat again? Abso-bleeding-lutely. Oh, and it’s free with your ticket.
The Glory is as much of an icon as Ally Pally itself, so it’s only fitting the two come together for a quirky pop-up that’ll keep you sticking around until late. On Friday, Café De Pally will feature a drag takeover from the favourite London gay venue, while Saturday calls for the best human jukebox bands and musicians that’ll have you belting out tunes at full volume. This is also included with your ticket.
On the lower field of Alexandra Palace Park, you’ll find a haven of funfair activities. Relive your youth with dodgems and waltzers or, if you’re taking things slowly, the teacups are always there if you need them. Topping it all off, you’ve got the ultimate festive activity: ice skating. Have a whizz around on one of the city’s most popular rinks to a disco soundtrack. Just make sure you book in advance.
Alexandra Palace’s Fireworks Festival is taking place on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4. Tickets start at £17 for adults, £10 for 11 – 15-year-olds and £3 for under 10s. Find out more about the event and book your place by clicking here.
