In 1900, the first ever fireworks display was put on at Alexandra Palace. It was the first in a series of displays which have now become well established as a tradition at Ally Pally, as it is nicknamed, and the display has become a ritual for Londoners from far and wide to come and see. Numbers often reach up to 50,000, not to mention the number who watch from afar, and tickets generally have to be bought at least two months in advance, which is perhaps one reason that there were two displays this year, on both 2nd and 3rd November.
This year along with the mesmerising fireworks display, there was a 10 minute laser show, a German beer festival, a circus performance, a street food festival, the ice rink and DJ Norman Jay MBE to provide entertainment. I was lucky enough to see the Friday display, with a rather large section of my family, and found it all in all a highly enjoyable experience! The array of food stalls was pleasantly surprising with a range of global cuisines, and for those with a weakness for desserts there was a waffle stall, a stall for churros and a crumble stall which had a huge variety of different crumbles including a rather delicious apple and blackberry one, each served with custard.
Whilst the food was admittedly divine, of course the primary attraction was the display itself which was breathtaking, particularly as the view from atop the hill is spectacular even without fireworks, with a clear sight of the entirety of London’s skyline including Canary Wharf, the Shard and many other iconic buildings. The fireworks themselves were splendid, with a variety of different types, often synchronised with music, lasting approximately 20 minutes in total.
Having seen the display several times at the palace, I would say that it has definitely developed over time, and although some may describe it as predominantly a money - making experience, what with circuses, DJs, food courts and many other additional gimmicks, it is a highly enjoyable experience to attend with those you love, particularly if you arrive early to avoid enormous queues, although wearing multiple layers and at least 6 pairs of socks to avoid frozen toes is highly advisable in any circumstance - it is an especially exciting occasion for children, who are likely to remember the event fondly for years to come.
