Rye Bonfire Night 2025 Verified listing

Rye Bonfire Night 2025

ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED IF AND WHEN CHANGES OCCUR – LAST UPDATE  03 NOV 25

Please note if attending, we have been advised by Sussex Police that they are not responsible for the organisation and marshalling of this event. You must follow the directions of our authorised marshals and security staff.

On Saturday 15 November 2025, all streets on the processional route in Rye town centre will be closed to traffic from approx 18:30 to 22:00. Trunk route will be closed 19:00 to 22:00.

We have been advised that, for reasons of public safety, Rye railway station will be closed from 15:00 on the day of the Rye Bonfire until the start of service the next day, Sunday. For up to date info on train times follow the link – Rye Station

See follow the link for the Rye Bonfire 2025 Bus Services for the event

Please note that there is no parking on the processional route from approx 16:00.

From approx 16:00, vehicular access to the town will be severely restricted and all vehicles are cleared from the processional route.  Any vehicles on the procession route will be removed by recovery trucks.

For car parking, Gibbetts Marsh car park is adjacent to the procession start point at Mason Road and situated off the Rye to Battle road B2089 (TN31 7BE).

Please Note – there is disabled parking concession for up to 20 vehicles (Blue Badge holders only) at the east end of what is normally the Coach Park adjacent to Rye Railway Station, approximately 300m from the bonfire site.

The A259 Folkestone – Hastings trunk route will be closed at times between 18:30 and 22:00 to allow the procession and crowds to pass and will be subject to long delays at all other times. Please be aware that is unlikely that you will allowed out of your car park before  22:00.

Motorists and HGV’s are therefore advised to use the M20/A28 Tenterden – Northiam route from Dover and Folkestone to Hastings and Eastbourne if travelling on the evening of 11 November.

All our road closures are advertised locally and fully signposted two weeks in advance of our event. If you see one our signposts has been altered or fallen over please do inform us. Lack of knowledge about our road closure is not a permissible excuse. There is no through traffic during our event.

Rye Bonfire Timetable

16:00 – Parking restrictions apply to processional route.

18:00 – Vehicular access restrictions apply.

18:00 – Processional Route to be clear of all vehicles

19:00 – Loud maroon signals the start of the procession from Mason Road, Tilling Green Estate

The route is as follows – Ferry Road to the Crown Inn, turn left into Cinque Ports Street, Tower Street, through Landgate Arch, Hilders Cliff (East Cliff) in to High Street, The Mint, turn right into Wish Ward, Cinque Ports Street, Tower Street, left down Landgate, right into Bedford Place and on to the Bonfire site.

19:40 – The Chairing down of Rye Fawkes 2025

20:00 – The Bonfire Lit by Rye Fawkes 2025

20:15 – Grand Fireworks Display

Please show your appreciation for the evening’s events

The Rye Bonfire Society receives no financial support from public funds in staging this event, which now costs over £20,000 a year to set-up and manage. All necessary funding is raised by voluntary contributions, program sales and advertising, fund-raising events and street collections on the night. Without the support of the town’s traders, citizens and visitors, the event could not take place. If you wish the Rye Bonfire to continue as the premier social event in the district’s calendar, please give generously.

Please do not purchase ‘glow bands’ or any other such merchandise from street traders, they are operating illegally, and we do not get any benefit from them.

However please feel free to make a donation to one of our official Rye Bonfire collectors on the night!

Safety Notice

Rye & District Bonfire Society would like to stress that this is very much a family-oriented evening. Discharging of any form of fireworks and flares will not be tolerated before, during, or after the procession.  The Police will take action against members of the public, or visiting societies, who discharge any form of pyrotechnic in a public place.

Please do not pick up discarded torches, that is the job for the firecarts at the rear of the procession.

Marshals protect the whole route. If they advise you to move away, please follow their instructions, they are concerned about your safety.

At the Fire Site, please remain outside of the barriers, it is dangerous inside. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury sustained by people crossing safety barriers.

This is a traditional custom, not a carnival or ordinary fireworks display, it can be loud and frightening, there will be fire and very loud bangs. Keep children with you and do not push them to the front. If you are nervous, worried, or have a medical condition, we respectfully suggest you keep away.

Please do not bring any pets!

The Rye & District Bonfire Society do not accept responsibility for any personal injury, loss or damage to personal property and remind you that you attend all our events entirely at your own risk.