Bonfire Night Kensington, Liverpool. November 5, 1986(Image: Mirrorpix)

21 brilliant photographs capture Bonfire Night in 1980s Liverpool

by · Liverpool Echo

A generation of kids will remember Bonfire Night as seen here

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Now Halloween celebrations have ended for another year, kids across Merseyside and beyond will be looking forward to seeing the skies light up for Bonfire Night on November 5. Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, has a long history - but the celebrations have changed a lot in recent decades.

Generations will remember Bonfire Night being fairly local and neighbours gathering as much wood as possible for their own bonfires, or being able to have a sparkler or try a toffee apple. Before camera phones, not many Bonfire Nights celebrations were captured on camera as they are today.

But these brilliant photos, taken in the 1980s, are bound to stir some memories of Bonfire Nights in our city around 40 years ago. Courtesy of our archives Mirrorpix, these previously shared images offer a glimpse into how Bonfire Nights in the city were in areas such as Kensington and Walton.

READ MORE: Rare photo captures inside lost 'eyesore' Liverpool city centre pub

READ MORE: 'Glamorous' afternoon tea dates and fashions from 1970s Liverpool

Judging from the photographs, the rules around health and safety were different from what they are today, but many will have fond memories of Bonfire Nights as seen here. You may also spot a familiar face.

As we celebrate November 5, 2024, here's a look at 21 brilliant photographs that capture Bonfire Night in 1980s Liverpool. You can see more in our gallery below.

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  1. Bonfire Night in Liverpool. November 5, 1985
    1 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Fireworks at Walton Park. November 5, 1983
    2 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Bonfire Night on a street in Liverpool. November 5, 1985
    3 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. The bonfire gets underway. November 5, 1985
    4 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Fireworks light up the sky. Liverpool. November 5, 1985
    5 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Bonfire Night in Liverpool. November 5, 1985
    6 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Fireworks at Walton Park, Liverpool. November 5, 1983
    7 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Children gather for Bonfire Night in Liverpool. November 5, 1985
    8 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Fireworks at Walton Park, Liverpool. November 5, 1983
    9 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Crowds waiting for the fireworks, Liverpool. November 5, 1983
    10 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Kids on adults shoulders in Walton Park, Liverpool. November 5, 1983
    11 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Fireworks at Walton Park, Liverpool. November 5, 1983
    12 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Bonfire Night in Liverpool in 1985
    13 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Bonfire Night in Kensington.November 5, 1986
    14 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Children at a private Merseyside bonfire night party cooking sausages over the fire. November 5, 1985
    15 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Clare, aged six, and Lindsay Gerard aged four (right) enjoying their sparklers at an impromptu bonfire party in Kensington. November 5, 1986
    16 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Kids on a couch on Bonfire Night in Kensington, 1986
    17 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Kids smile for the camera on Bonfire Night, 1986
    18 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Bonfire Night in Kensington, 1986
    19 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Bonfire Night in Kensington. November 5, 1986
    20 of 20(Image: Mirrorpix)