Bring the story of Bonfire Night to life with this engaging, child-friendly and curriculum-linked KS1 assembly.

As a group of curious children prepare for Bonfire Night, they discover the story behind the fireworks, bonfires and celebrations that take place every November. Guided by a friendly teacher and the wise History Fox, they journey back in time to learn about the Gunpowder Plot, meet Guy Fawkes and King James, and discover why we remember this important event today. Along the way, they learn essential firework safety messages and discover that Bonfire Night is about remembering the past, celebrating responsibly and keeping everyone safe.

Designed specifically for Key Stage 1, this ready-to-perform assembly combines engaging storytelling, simple historical learning and important safety messages, making it the perfect addition to your autumn history curriculum.

What’s Included
Complete three-act assembly script
35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles)
Character descriptions
Costume suggestions
Performance notes
Stage directions
Props list
Staging and technical guidance
Rehearsal guide
Director’s notes
Audience participation opportunities
Final whole-cast song and celebration

Key Learning Covered
Pupils will explore:
The story behind Bonfire Night and the Gunpowder Plot
Who Guy Fawkes and King James were
Why Bonfire Night is celebrated today
The importance of remembering historical events
Firework and bonfire safety
Celebrating responsibly with trusted adults
Community, teamwork and making safe choices
Respect, responsibility and learning from the past

Perfect For
Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2)
Bonfire Night topics
History topics
Autumn term assemblies
Parent performances
Whole-school curriculum events
Topic launches or seasonal celebrations

With 35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles), this assembly gives every child the opportunity to take part while building confidence, teamwork and performance skills. Featuring simple staging, minimal props, audience participation and a memorable safety song, it’s a fun and engaging way to teach the history of Bonfire Night while reinforcing important fire safety messages and helping children understand why we continue to remember this event today.