Bonfire Night is Thursday 5 November. This year there are four fireworks control zones in Glasgow, and no big public display has been announced. Here’s what’s banned, what the rules are, and where you can watch fireworks nearby. Details last checked on 23 October 2026.
Glasgow’s fireworks control zones for 2026
From Friday 30 October to Monday 9 November, it is a criminal offence for the public to set off fireworks anywhere inside four zones, gardens included. That is from Glasgow City Council’s control zone page, checked on 23 October. The four zones are:
- Govanhill and Pollokshields (one combined zone this year)
- Broomhouse
- Glasgow Harbour
- Pollok (the council lists it as Pollok SSPCA)
The ban covers private land too, so a back garden inside a zone is included. Police Scotland enforce it, and breaking it can mean up to six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000. A zone can’t stop licensed public displays or religious events, and it doesn’t stop shops selling fireworks.
STV quoted the city convener saying zones were needed in Broomhouse and Pollok because of animal sanctuaries. The council got 20 applications and didn’t grant them all.
We haven’t copied the street boundaries here. They can change, so check the council’s control zone page and maps before you set anything off near the edge of a zone.
The national rules
These apply across Scotland, zone or no zone. They come from the Scottish Government’s fireworks law guide.
- Who: you must be over 18 to have, buy or set off adult fireworks.
- Where: adult fireworks are for private places like a garden. Having them in a street, park or road is against the law without a reasonable excuse.
- When: 6pm to 11pm. On Bonfire Night that stretches to midnight. It’s 1am on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
- Buying: registered sellers can sell to the public from 15 October to 10 November, between 7am and 6pm, and no more than 5kg at a time.
- Penalty: a fine of up to £5,000, up to six months in prison, or both.
It’s also an offence to buy fireworks for someone under 18, often called proxy purchase. The Scottish Parliament’s research service says it has been in force since 10 October 2022 and carries the same penalty. The only exception is category 1 items such as party poppers.
Fireworks displays in and around Glasgow
If you want fireworks without the risk, go to an organised display. Most of these are run by clubs and charities, not councils. Prices are only shown where the organiser has announced them. Tickets for the bigger ones sell out, so book early.
| Display | Date | Times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helensburgh, Civic Centre | Mon 2 Nov | Gates 4pm, display 6pm | To be announced |
| Giffnock, GHA Rugby Club, Braidholm Road | Thu 5 Nov | Gates 6pm, display 7.15pm | Adult £13.26, child £9, family £37.78 (fees included), under 5s free |
| Dumbarton, Levengrove Park | Thu 5 Nov | Starts 6.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm | To be announced (last year’s was free) |
| Hamilton Rugby Club, Bent Road | Fri 6 Nov | To be announced | To be announced |
| Lenzie Rugby Football Club | Sat 7 Nov | 6pm to 10pm, with funfair and food stalls | To be announced |
| Strathaven, George Allan Park | Sat 7 Nov | Gates 5.30pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm | £5, family of four £15, under 5s free (ticket only) |
| Uddingston Cricket and Sports Club | Sat 7 Nov | To be announced | To be announced |
| Halfway, Newton Station Park and Ride | Sat 7 Nov | To be announced | To be announced |
| Glasgow Green | None announced | Nothing confirmed for 2026 | None |
| Paisley and Renfrewshire | None announced | Check Discover Renfrewshire | None |
Dates, times and venues come from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s 2026 list, which is still being updated. Prices and gate times for Giffnock and Strathaven come from the organisers’ own ticket pages. The Giffnock page also says no dogs, no sparklers, no alcohol and no parking on site, so use the train or a bus. Our train guide helps with Lenzie, Hamilton and Uddingston.
Glasgow Green and Strathclyde Park
The Glasgow Green display hasn’t happened since 2019. In March, STV reported the council had set aside £100,000 and was looking at a partner to run a return, but nothing was confirmed. We can’t find an announcement for this year, so don’t plan around it.
The joint North and South Lanarkshire display at Strathclyde Country Park isn’t happening in 2026, because of building work at the watersports centre.
Got kids? Our guide to things to do with kids in Glasgow has indoor plans for the week. Christmas is next, so see our Christmas markets guide.
Pets and staying safe
The Scottish SPCA’s Bonfire Night advice is simple.
- Walk dogs earlier in the day and keep pets in after dark.
- Shut windows, doors and cat flaps, and close the curtains.
- Put the TV or music on, and give your dog a den to hide in.
- Move rabbits and other small animals into a garage or indoors if you can.
- Check nothing is hiding in a bonfire before you light it.
The fire service says the safest option is an organised display. If you do it at home, only adults should handle fireworks, children should watch from a safe distance, and you should think about neighbours and animals first.
Reporting fireworks misuse
If it’s an emergency or a crime is happening right now, call 999. For anything else, such as fireworks being thrown in the street or sold illegally, call Police Scotland on 101, as mygov.scot explains. You can also report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us through our contact page and we’ll fix it.
