Light 'em up, baby! See in bonfire night in style with our pick of the best family-friendly fireworks displays in Berkshire.

If you’re avoiding a disappointing DIY effort this year with a lacklustre pack of pyrotechnics and a few measly sparklers, how about heading out to one of the local bonfire night extravaganzas across Berkshire? They’re bigger, better organised and there’s no chance of setting your house on fire or scaring the neighbourhood pets. Light ’em up, baby…

Jurassic Fireworks Night, Royal Windsor Racecourse

WHEN: Sat 6 Nov

TIME: Gates 4pm, fireworks 6.30pm.

THE DEETS: Windsor’s epic Jurassic display (courtesy of British Fireworks Championship double award-winners Fantastic Fireworks) is a whopper. This year the pyrotechnic team has created a 15-minute display with a roarsome dinosaur theme that’s set to music. While the star of the show is the fireworks, on terra firma you’ll find a lifelike walking, animatronic Raptor, Triceratops and rumour has it, a very hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex. The fun fair will be in full swing too, candy floss and hot dogs. So book up, it’ll be a sell out.

Sonning Pyromusical Spectacular, Reading Blue Coat School Sonning

WHEN: Thu 4 Nov

TIME: Gates open at 6pm. Fireworks start at 7.30pm

THE DEETS: If you’ve not seen the stonking grounds of Reading Blue Coat School, now’s your chance. The highly-respected Sonning Fireworks will be in charge of the pyrotechnics times to perfection to accompany a classical music soundtrack. My spies tell me it is pretty epic. Tickets £12pp in advance. £15pp on the gate.

Bricktacular Fireworks, Legoland Windsor

WHEN: Fri 5 – Sun 7 Nov.

TIME: 10am – 7pm

THE DEETS: Don’t miss Legoland Windsor’s infamous fireworks display – marking the end of its 25th birthday celebrations. Always good to go out with a bang. You’ll be treated to some of the best oohs and ahhh with an added special twist – exploding LEGO bricks! Kinda. I won’t spoil the surprise, but it’s safe to say its will blow your kids’ minds. It’s all set to music, which I love. Tickets £30pp.

Chieveley Fireworks, Chieveley Recreation Ground

WHEN: Fri 5 Nov

TIME: Gates open 6.15pm; fireworks 7.45pm

THE DEETS: I’ve been to this display many times and it’s got a wonderfully traditional vibe. These guys know how to please a crowd after 50+ years celebrating bonfire night. This year there will be a Guy competition, torchlit procession and plenty of pretty bangs in the night sky. Make sure you sample the goods too, a bar plus all the burgers and bangers. Tickets: £6pp. Book online in advance, cash only on the gate. Under 5s Free.

Wokingham Fireworks Spectacular 2021, Cantley Park Wokingham

WHEN:  Sat 6 Nov

TIME: Gates open 5.30pm; fireworks 7.30pm.

THE DEETS: After 30-odd years, I think the good people of Wokingham know what they’re doing. And it’s properly old school with a torchlight parade from the town centre led by a brass band, setting off at 5.15pm. Nothing says ‘get off my land’, like several thousand people carrying flaming torches. At the same time the funfair opens on Cantley Field for those who prefer an adrenaline boost before the main event. This year the funfair promises to be even bigger than ever, with many rides for young children. The fireworks start at 7:30pm. Book here. Advance tickets are £6. Under 7s go free. On the day tickets £8pp.

Lions Fireworks Spectacular 2021, Newbury Racecourse

WHEN: Sat 6 Nov

TIME: Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm

THE DEETS: If you live in the Newbury area, chances are you’ll be heading here on the 6th. The Lions Club have been putting on this display for donkeys years. It’s set to music, there is a bar, food, kids entertainment and free parking (dull but useful fact). Prices on the gate £10 for adults, £5 for children. Under 5s go FREE. It’s cheaper if you advance book.

Pangbourne Fireworks Fiesta 2021, Pangbourne Primary School

WHEN: Sat 6 Nov

TIME: Gates open 5.30pm; fireworks 7pm

THE DEETS: A favourite with the good peeps local to Pangbourne, there will be a 20-minute display, huge bonfire, BBQ, beers, hot drinks and live music. It’s all to raise for the children, so how can you possibly say no. On the gate tickets: Adults £10, Child £4, Family £25. It’s cheaper if you’re organised and book in advance.

Reading Lions Fireworks, Reading

WHEN: Sat 6 Nov

TIME: Gates open at 5pm. Fireworks at 7pm

THE DEETS: Remember, remember all the F words – fireworks, food, fun fair and family-friendly. Reading Lion Fireworks takes place at the ground of Reading City FC on Scours Lane (just off Oxford Road). They’re planning a banging bonfire night with a traditional November fun aplenty. Adults £7, Kids £3, under 5s FREE. Family ticket (2 adults, 3 kids aged 5-15) £18.

Thameside Firework Extravaganza, Mapledurham Lock Purley On Thames

WHEN: Sun 7 Nov

TIME: Gates open 5.30pm; fireworks 7pm

THE DEETS: We’re pretty lucky to have the River Thames running through Berkshire, so a riverside fireworks fiesta is guaranteed to be pretty special. The organisers have promised a boomtastic display, delicious hot food, music and a bar… but the river will steal the show for sure. Proceeds do to supporting the children at Purley Primary School. Top tip: arrive early to avoid the rush. You want to nab the best viewing point.

MAKE A NOTE FOR NEXT YEAR

Family Fireworks Spectacular, Ascot Racecourse

WHEN: Sat 30 Oct

TIME: Gate opens 10.45am; fireworks from 6.30pm

THE DEETS: Ascot Racecourse is offering a full day of National Hunt racing, white knuckle fun fair rides, gentler ones for littlies and pop-up laser tag (free until 4pm, then £1 per ride). Watch out for the creepy crawly animal handling, pumpkin carving, spooky themed arts and crafts and a slippery slime workshop. As a real treat enrol your kids into Magician School where they can learn a few tricks of their own. Expect to see 20,000 shots launch into the night’s sky, set to music. Under 18s get in for free with a fee-paying adult – all proceeds go to local charities. Only want to ooh and aah at the fireworks? No problemo, you can enter at 4pm (advance tickets £5 for kids and £7 for adults). Talk about bang for your buck. Fnar.

Spooktacular Fireworks Extravaganza, Liquid Leisure Windsor

WHEN: Sat 30 Oct

TIME: Doors open 4.30pm, fireworks 7.45pm

THE DEETS: If you’re looking to tick all the Halloween and Bonfire Night boxes at one event, then jump on your broomstick and fly over Liquid Leisure. They will be lighting up the Windsor sky with its Spooktacular fireworks concert, but beforehand get competitive with your pumpkin carving, there’s trick or treating and a fancy dress contest too. Tickets £10 each (£30 for a group of four). VIP tickets (inc lakeside seats, drinks and snacks) £80 for four.

Halloween (Low Noise) Fireworks, Deanwood Park Gold Club Newbury

WHEN: Sat 30 Oct

TIME: Bonfire will light 6pm; Fireworks 7.30pm.

THE DEETS: Pressing the mute button on the big bangs, this low noise display is a great idea for anyone who is sensitive to noise. It’s a spooktacular Halloween theme set to music, with fancy dress, Monster Mash Dance Party and apple bobbing. Advance tickets: £7 per adult, £5 per child, £20 family ticket.

Harry Potter Bonfire & Fireworks, Twyford

WHEN: Sat 30 Oct

TIME: Gates open at 6.30pm.

THE DEETS: There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incarnations, but there will be a bonfire and fireworks at Hogwarts, I mean, King George’s Recreation Ground in Twyford. It’s a Harry Potter themed set to music, with traditional bonfire, funfair, a BBQ and all enough sugary snacks to keep your kids up until midnight. Advance tickets – £6 per adult, £3 (ages 12-16), Under 12s £1.