The 2026 Sussex bonfire season officially began on Saturday, 26 September, as thousands gathered for the Burgess Hill Bonfire Society’s annual festivities. The event, which combined historic traditions with modern local concerns, marked the first major celebration of its kind in West Sussex this autumn.
This year’s procession drew significant attention for its choice of fire banners. Spectators witnessed the burning of a fire banner targeting developer ‘NewRiver Retail’, which resulted in boos from the gathered crowd. The tradition of burning topical or controversial banners is a long-standing feature of the Sussex bonfire season, used by societies to express community opinions on local and national issues.
Event Schedule and Procession
The evening’s events included the traditional tar barrel drag racing on Church Road at approximately 18:30, a high-energy spectacle that remains a favourite among regular attendees.
The Grand Procession moved through the town, featuring various societies in traditional costume. The night culminated in the grand finale at Fairfield Recreation Ground, where the bonfire was lit and a musical fireworks display began at 21:45.
Charity and Community Impact
The event is organised by the Burgess Hill Bonfire Society (BHBS), a volunteer-led non-profit organisation.
Street collections held during the processions were dedicated to three local causes for 2026: the Park Centre Burgess Hill, Befriended, and The Early Birth Association. While the final total of the collection is yet to be confirmed, the funds are designated to support these specific community services and charities.
To ensure public safety, town centre road closures were implemented from 18:30 and remained in effect until 22:30. These closures affected several main thoroughfares to allow the processions and spectators to move safely between the town centre and the recreation ground.