About Eastbourne Bonfire Society
Eastbourne Bonfire Society is a volunteer-led community organisation representing Eastbourne, East Sussex. The modern society was rekindled in 2001, restoring an organised Bonfire tradition to the town after an absence of more than three decades.
That makes 2026 the 25th anniversary of Eastbourne Bonfire Society, but the history of Bonfire in Eastbourne stretches back considerably further. Records of Fifth of November celebrations in the town date back almost 400 years, while Victorian Eastbourne was once home to several separate groups of Bonfire Boys.
Today, Eastbourne Bonfire Society is known for its red, navy blue and cream stripes, Pirate costumes and spectacular seafront celebration, while fundraising for local good causes remains an important part of the society’s work.
Nearly 400 Years of Bonfire in Eastbourne
One of the earliest known records of Fifth of November celebrations in Eastbourne dates from 1637.
Accounts from St Mary’s Church in Old Town record churchwardens paying three shillings and sixpence to bell ringers to mark the Fifth, along with money for bread and beer. Bonfires were also laid in the road outside the historic Lamb Inn.
By the nineteenth century, Eastbourne’s celebrations had become considerably more elaborate.
An account from 1858 describes a large procession accompanied by the Eastbourne sax-horn band, with banners, dozens of torchbearers, effigies and blazing tar barrels. A large bonfire was also lit outside the Marine Tavern in Seaside Road.
These accounts show that many of the familiar elements of an organised Eastbourne Bonfire celebration were already present more than 160 years ago.
Eastbourne's Victorian Bonfire Boys
One of the most interesting aspects of Eastbourne’s history is that the town once supported several different Bonfire groups.
As Eastbourne expanded during the Victorian period, Bonfire Boys became associated with different parts of the growing town. Groups included the East Ward, West Ward, Central Ward, St Mary’s Bonfire Boys, Meads Mummers and the Original Bonfire Boys.
In 1888, the Original Eastbourne Bonfire Boys were recorded setting out from their headquarters at the New Inn, while the St Mary’s Bonfire Boys were associated with the Albert.
An account of the St Mary’s Ward Bonfire Society in 1894 describes a procession featuring a drum and fife band, banners, effigies and costumed members before the celebrations reached their firesite in Green Street.
Rather than having a single society, Victorian Eastbourne therefore had a lively collection of local Bonfire groups, each contributing to celebrations in different parts of the town.
The End of the Old Tradition
Eastbourne’s organised Bonfire tradition did not survive continuously into the modern era.
The number of active groups gradually declined during the twentieth century, and the interruption caused by two World Wars inevitably changed the way public celebrations could be organised.
The old Eastbourne tradition finally came to an end in 1966, when the Old Town Bonfire Society held its last procession.
For the next 35 years, Eastbourne had no active Bonfire society of its own.
That changed in 2001.
Rekindled in 2001
Eastbourne Bonfire Society was reformed in 2001, beginning a new chapter in the town’s Bonfire history.
The revival brought organised Bonfire back to Eastbourne after more than three decades and provided a new generation with an opportunity to create traditions of their own while maintaining a connection with the town’s earlier Bonfire Boys.
The society grew steadily, and by 2005 Eastbourne was once again staging its own annual Bonfire celebration.
More than two decades later, the revived society has become firmly established within the town.
2026 marks 25 years since Eastbourne Bonfire Society was rekindled, an important milestone for an organisation that successfully restored a tradition which had once appeared to have disappeared from Eastbourne altogether.
Pirates by the Sea
One of the most recognisable features of Eastbourne Bonfire Society is its Pirate costume.
It is a particularly appropriate identity for a society representing a seaside town.
Members appear in colourful Pirate dress incorporating the society colours, with tricorn hats, long coats, waistcoats, boots and other maritime-inspired details creating a distinctive appearance in procession.
Alongside the Pirates, members wear Eastbourne Bonfire Society's striped Bonfire costume of red, navy blue and cream.
The combination gives the society an instantly recognisable identity when members represent Eastbourne at celebrations elsewhere during the season.
Eastbourne Bonfire on the Seafront
Eastbourne’s own celebration has one of the most distinctive settings of any Bonfire event.
The society holds its procession along Eastbourne seafront, with the bonfire itself constructed on the beach.
Thousands of flaming torches illuminate the procession as Eastbourne Bonfire Society is joined by visiting societies for the journey along the seafront.
Preparing those torches is a substantial undertaking in itself. In 2024, around 3,500 torches were dipped in preparation for Eastbourne Bonfire.
After the processions, attention turns to the beach for the bonfire and fireworks, with the sea providing a dramatic backdrop to the display.
For the society's anniversary year, Eastbourne Bonfire takes place on Saturday 3 October 2026.
25 Years of Burning for the Community
Charitable fundraising is an important part of Eastbourne Bonfire Society.
Each year, members select local organisations to benefit from the money raised through the society's activities and collections.
For the 25th anniversary year in 2026, members selected ManKind and WomanKind as the society's joint charity partners.
Both organisations provide services within the Eastbourne community, making them particularly appropriate beneficiaries during the anniversary year.
The society is marking the milestone with the phrase “25 Years of Burning for the Community”, reflecting the charitable purpose that sits behind much of its work.
More Than £17,000 to Stage Bonfire
Eastbourne Bonfire may be free for spectators, but staging it involves considerable expense.
The annual seafront celebration costs more than £17,000 to put on, meaning fundraising has to continue throughout the year.
The money raised helps cover the many costs associated with organising a major public event, from the procession and bonfire to fireworks and the infrastructure required to bring thousands of people together safely.
Much of the work is undertaken by volunteers, making the continued support of members, local businesses and the public essential.
It also means that buying something at a fundraiser, making a donation or volunteering time can make a genuine contribution towards keeping Eastbourne Bonfire going.
More Than Bonfire Night
Eastbourne Bonfire Society is active throughout the year.
Members organise fundraising activities, attend community events and represent Eastbourne at celebrations across the region during the autumn season.
The society also takes part in Eastbourne Carnival, giving members another opportunity to become involved in one of the town's major community events.
Eastbourne Bonfire Society is also behind the Eastbourne Steampunk Festival, bringing another weekend of elaborate costumes and entertainment to the Wish Tower Slopes.
These activities mean the society remains visible within Eastbourne long after the final fireworks of Bonfire Night have disappeared.
Membership
Eastbourne Bonfire Society welcomes new members who would like to become involved.
Members can take part in the society's home celebration, wear the red, navy blue and cream stripes or Pirate costume and represent Eastbourne at events elsewhere during the season.
There is also a considerable amount of work away from the procession.
Making and dipping torches, fundraising, preparing equipment, organising events and helping on Bonfire Night are all essential parts of keeping the society running.
Joining therefore offers the opportunity not simply to walk in a procession, but to become part of the volunteer community responsible for making Eastbourne Bonfire happen.
25 Years Since the Bonfire Was Rekindled
Eastbourne Bonfire Society has an unusual history because the organisation is simultaneously modern and part of something much older.
Eastbourne was marking the Fifth as early as 1637. By Victorian times the town had numerous groups of Bonfire Boys staging processions filled with torches, bands, costumes, effigies and blazing tar barrels.
The old tradition eventually disappeared, with the final procession taking place in 1966.
Then, after a gap of 35 years, Eastbourne Bonfire Society rekindled the tradition in 2001.
Since then, the society has created an identity unmistakably connected with its home town: Pirates, red, navy and cream stripes, thousands of torches and a spectacular procession, bonfire and fireworks beside the sea.
In 2026, Eastbourne Bonfire Society celebrates 25 years since that revival – a quarter of a century of carrying the town's colours, supporting local causes and ensuring that Eastbourne's centuries-old Bonfire story continues.