The Littlehampton Bonfire Society Limited presents Bonfire Night in Littlehampton will take place on Saturday 24th October 2026.

Bonfire building on East Green Overflow Carpark will commence on Monday 19th October 2026 and will take place all through the week, ending on Thursday 22nd October. Building times are from 09:00hrs until 17:00hrs daily. From Monday – Wednesday, we will assept any unpainted wood, Green Garden Waste or Wooden Pallets. However, there are somethings we cannot assept such as Painted or Varnished Wood, Non-Combustible Materials or Tree Stumps. On Thursday 22nd October 2026, we will only be assepting Wooden Pallets. Please note that East Green Carpark will be closed from Monday 19th Ocotber due to the build of the bonfire!

On Saturday 24th October 2026, events will start with a high Street collection and the beautiful sounds of the Organ. Coles FunFair will open at 14:00hrs, located on the seafront by East Green Carpark. The first major event will take place at 18:00hrs with the Littlehampton Bonfire Society’s War Memorial Service which will be lead by the society’s Chairman & Event Commander In Chief.

Our torchlight procession will depart St Catherine’s Road at 19:30hrs and will take the following route: Maltravers Road, Fitzalan Road (heading south), Granville Road, Selborne Road, St Winefride’s Road, Maltravers Drive, Fitzalan Road (heading north), Church Street (heading west), Beach Road, St Catherine’s Road, South Terrace to Sea Lane.

Once the torches in the procession has reached the bonfire site located on East Green overflow carpark, the bonfire will be lit. This is due to happen around 21:00hrs. Following this, the sky will be lit up by a spectacular fireworks display on the seafront which is put together by SelStar Fireworks. Once we have been amazed by the fireworks display, there will be a Return Procession which will depart Banjo Road at 21:40hrs and will head straight down Fitzalan Road to the Littlehampton Baptist Church.

There will be collectors in our torchlight procession. All money raised will go towards funding Bonfire Night in Littlehampton 2027 which will be our 75th anniversary. You can solo donate via our JustGiving Page, click here.

The Littlehampton Bonfire Society committee would like to thank you all for your support towards the society and we cannot wait to see you on Saturday 24th October 2026.

The Littlehampton Bonfire Society is on the look out for any businesses that might want to help support our Traditional Torchlight Procession with Bonfire & Fireworks 2026.

The Littlehampton Bonfire Society held their first event in 1952 and ever since has grown and attracted thousands from all over the United Kingdom. Now in its 74th year, the event costs over £35,000.

If you are a business owner, or know a business that might like to support our event, please get in contact with us. You can do that by clicking here.

Saturday 24th October 2026

Littlehampton Bonfire Society is seeking volunters to marshal our Traditional Torchlight Procession that is due to be held on Saturday 24th October 2026.

For the event to take place safely, the Littlehampton Bonfire Society needs approximately 100 volunteer marshalls. If anyone is wanting to help marshal our event, please email our Secretary Lyn Baker your name, email address and phone number.

Secretary@littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk

Marshall’s will be there to help keep the spectators stafe and off the road while the event takes place. No marshall’s will be on road closures or expected to deal with conflict situations as there will be a paid Security Contractor supported by Sussex Police.

Marshall’s will have a front row seat of the procession and will not miss a single bit of the entertainment.

Any marshall’s that come forward will receive an email from our Commander In Chief late Steptember to mid October with your duties and location points.

The event cannot take place without the help from our amazing volunteers – an event that attracts thousands! To everyone who has come forward, the committee of the Littlehampton Bonfire Society thanks you for your support towards an event that it is it’s 74th year!

Littlehampton Bonfire Society Presents the 74th Traditional Torchlight Parade with Bonfire & Fireworks on Saturday 24th October 2026!

The Littlehampton Bonfire Celebrations will take place a week earlier than normal. The event will take place on Saturday 24th October 2026 instead of the last Saturday of October.

This change is necessary because of pressure from the local authority to not run our event on Halloween. They also were keen for the East Green Car Park to remain fully open to the public over the half term week, which is of course the week commencing Monday 26th October. To be able to build our bonfire safely, we would have had to close much of the car park to the public from Tuesday 27th to facilitate the arrival of the huge lorries that bring in the wood for the bonfire.

Planning for this years event has already begun and the team behind the sences cannot wait to welcome you all to the event. As some of you may be aware that the cost of staging an event at the scale costs thousands (£35,000+) and we need your support. We have a new JustGiving Page for our 2026 event. Please give what you can to help us keep the event running for many years to come.

Saturday 24th October 2026

The society has a proud history of putting on one of the largest events of its kind in the county. Selected members plan and work through the year to be able to put this awesome free event for the town. It takes alot of money and a lot of mony and a lot of effort to achieve this. And we need more members – We need YOU!

The society has a proud 72 year history of putting on one of the largest events of its kind in the county.
Our event attracts in the region of 19,000 spectators and is good for local businesses and the town during
what is otherwise a quiet time of the year.

For those of you who don’t know – our event always takes place on the last Saturday of October. It
comprises several parades, a huge bonfire and an awesome firework display. The main parade includes
the massed Sussex bonfire societies (many in bright costumes), bands, illuminated floats, walking groups
and often steam engines. Bonfire society members bear flaming torches – much to the amazement of
watching children!

All of this is free for the public, but we do ask for donations towards the significant costs – in excess of £35,000! Donations may be made into collectors buckets on the night or via bank transfer – see our website.

Why don’t we hold our celebration on 5th November – the anniversary of the foiling of the “Gunpowder
Plot”? As far as it is practical the various societies of Sussex hold their events on different Saturday nights
during the bonfire season – the advantage for each event is a more spectacular torchlight parade – and
the advantage for the members is a LOT more fun attending a variety of events from September through
to December across Sussex.

You would join a small group of volunteers who plan and fundraise to put on this amazing annual event.
As a member you may attend social events through the year such as skittles evenings with fish and chip
supper.

You may also join other members at “out-meetings” – other parades through the summer or bonfire events
through the autumn – so, if you love parades, bonfires and fireworks – you get to have a lot of fun! You will
make friends and gain a sense of pride in doing something worthwhile for your town.

Our society does not have a set costume, but is well known for its amazing Native American and Tudor
costumes. NB: Regarding racism / white-privilege.
Our society’s use of Native American First Nations costumes is not intended to cause upset nor insult. We
feel nothing but respect for Native Americans. That is the spirit with which we wear the costume. We ask
members to not darken their skin, but the committee feels that the use of “war paint” is a part of the
costume.

Or you may wish to be a cowboy or girl – this is a relatively easy way to get involved in the fun of a
parade! Native American costumes can start simple and be embellished – sometimes over many years!
Tudor costumes again can be made or bought – Linda Oliver may be able to help.

Subs are payable to Sarah Roberts, Tanya Humphrey or Tyndall Jones at the time of joining and then on 1st Jan
annually. Please complete a membership form & include your name, address, email address (if you have
one) and a contact phone number. Subs may be paid by cash or by bank transfer.

The minimum amount due is £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for juniors (under 18 at the time of paying).
Please consider adding a donation also.

If possible please would you pay your subscriptions by Bank Transfer –
Account number 01093488
Sort code 30 – 95 – 09

Please write “SUBS” and your name on the transfer. If also making a donation please write SUBS Don (or
similar) plus your name. To ensure our membership database is kept up to date please email to
membership@littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk & treasurer@littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk. This way
Tanya and Sarah may liaise with each other and document donations and SUBs paid accurately.

Click here to go to our members page