Abdinz

There have been constant fireworks tonight and the past two nights after 8 p.m. in my neighborhood. As someone who recently moved to New Zealand, it was confusing at first. I thought it might be a Halloween thing, especially since Halloween just passed. But as the fireworks kept going, night after night, it seemed like something more. After doing a bit of research, I discovered it’s for Guy Fawkes Night.

This is a tradition here that celebrates an old event in British history—Guy Fawkes and his failed plot to blow up England’s Parliament in 1605. It turns out, people in New Zealand light fireworks around November 5th to mark this day, just like they do in the UK. In New Zealand, fireworks can only be sold to the public for a few days in early November, so there’s often a big burst of firecrackers and sparklers as people make the most of it.

What’s nice is that the fireworks haven’t gone on too late. Most nights, they seem to wrap up before it gets unreasonable, making it more of a festive atmosphere than a disturbance. However, if you have pets or little ones trying to sleep, it can be a bit much. The crackling and whistling sounds can catch you off guard if you’re not expecting them.

If you’re also new here, just know that Guy Fawkes Night is one of those Kiwi celebrations, and it’s temporary. Once the fireworks sales stop, things quiet down pretty quickly. It’s not exactly a “cultural” tradition unique to New Zealand, but it’s part of life here in November. So, next time you hear fireworks in early November, you’ll know it’s all part of this short-lived celebration.