(London – 12:00hrs, Friday 4 September 2026); Ally Pally’s legendary Fireworks & Drone Festival returns on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, bringing a spectacular weekend of fireworks, drone displays, music, food and entertainment to Alexandra Park and Palace, set against its panoramic views across the London skyline. 

For the very first time, the annual event moves from Friday and Saturday to a full Saturday and Sunday weekend, offering two different ways to experience one of London’s biggest fireworks celebrations.

Saturday Party Night turns up the volume with big festival energy, while a brand-new Sunday Family Fun Day offers a more family-focussed way to experience the Ally Pally spectacle, with under 10s going free with Early Bird* tickets.

Whichever day you choose, the headline spectacle remains the same. Returning for a third year, drone specialists Celestial, runners-up on Britain’s Got Talent 2026, will send hundreds of choreographed drones into the night sky before the fireworks take over, with the entire show set to a specially curated soundtrack.

On Saturday 7 November 2026, the Park and Palace will come alive with the full festival experience, and an 8pmfireworks and drone spectacular. Expect music and DJs, including a headline set from special guest Eats Everything, a roaring bonfire, funfair rides and ice skating at the indoor Ice Rink, while StrEATlife will be serving up some of London’s best street food, cocktails and craft beer. Inside the Palace, the Great Hall transforms once again into a giant German Bier Festival, think oompah bands, live music, a Queen tribute and steins aplenty. From bonfire to Bier Festival, funfair to ice rink, DJs to drones, Saturday is much more than a fireworks display. It’s a full-scale festival night out, Ally Pally style.

Sunday 8 November 2026 brings a new kind of bonfire night magic. Created especially with families in mind, the brand-new Family Fun Day offers the full Fireworks & Drone Festival experience, with an earlier 6pm drone and fireworks display to light up the November sky; and with a reduced capacity, there’s more room to explore. Early doors mean there’s no need to worry it’s a school night when there’s so much Sunday fun to be had. Toast marshmallows at the firepit, dance in the Junior JungleKids Rave, take a whirl around the funfair, get your skates on at the Ice Rink, tuck into street food with kids’ menus and sweet treats, and don’t miss the mighty BARRIOKE, with Shaun Williamson, star of Eastenders and Extras, who has taken the music festival scene by storm.

On Sunday, festivalgoers can also upgrade their experience with access to a premium viewing area, combining some of the best views of the fireworks and drone show with dedicated indoor spaces and facilities. Under 10s go free* with Early Bird tickets too, giving even more families the chance to experience the magic together.

Simon Fell, Director of Events and Festivals at Alexandra Park and Palace, says: “Moving to Saturday and Sunday has given us a great opportunity to rethink the weekend. Saturday is our big festival party night, while on Sunday, we’re reducing capacity and bringing the show forward, so families have more space and time to enjoy everything the Fireworks and Drone Festival has to offer. The important thing for us is that everyone gets the full Ally Pally spectacle, with fireworks and drones the same on both days; and we can create and programme a different atmosphere with activities around them.”

For 2026, there’s also a spectacular new way to experience Ally Pally’s famous view. For the very first time, a limited number of visitors can climb over the top of Alexandra Palace with ‘SUMMIT – Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure’, the UK’s highest roof walk, and watch the fireworks and drone show from 130 metres above sea level on the Palace rooftop, taking in sweeping 360-degree panoramic views across London as the display unfolds.

And while the drones may be cutting edge, spectacular fireworks are nothing new at Ally Pally. Displays have been staged in the grounds since the late nineteenth century, making this London’s longest-running fireworks event. Victorian audiences witnessed fantastical pyrotechnic recreations including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in The Last Days of Pompeii and the Destruction of the Spanish Armada on the boating lake.

More than a century later, that appetite for spectacle is still shining brightly, as Ally Pally continues to reinvent the tradition, bringing together fireworks, drones, music, food and entertainment for families and friends at the People’s Palace.

Early Bird tickets start from £10.50 adv (up to £19.50 adv thereafter) with Under 10s going free on Sunday as part of the Early Bird offer, subject to availability and £5.00 adv thereafter.

Pre-sale: Wednesday 2 September at 12pm
General sale: Friday 4 September at 12pm

Early Bird tickets from £10.50 adv – £19.50 adv (final release)
Under 10s – FREE on Sunday with Early Bird tickets, subject to availability / £5 adv thereafter

Saturday 7 November 2026 – Party Night
4pm-10.30pm – 8pm Fireworks & Drone Display

Sunday 8 November 2026 – Family Fun Day
4pm-8.30pm – 6pm Fireworks & Drone Display

Tickets and info at fireworks.london

Wasing Estate, one of the UK’s most picturesque rural estates, is delighted to announce the return of its annual ‘Pumpkins & Woodland Trail’ event this autumn, open on selected dates from 16th-31st October. This charming seasonal experience offers families the perfect opportunity to embrace the beauty of autumn, right on their doorstep, with enchanting woodland trails, delicious seasonal treats and stunning countryside views – so get your wellies ready!

Nestled in the heart of Berkshire, Wasing Estate invites visitors to explore its magical woodland trail, thoughtfully designed for little ones and filled with plenty of picture-perfect moments for the whole family. Spot woodland creatures inspired by those found on the estate, visit the peaceful area of reflection to make a wish at the wishing well and light a candle for a loved one, before exploring the mysterious Witch’s Apothecary.

Leafy pathways lead to Wasing’s rustic pumpkin patch, where a charming fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits. After enjoying the scenic trail with plenty to spot along the way, guests can make their way to the pumpkin field – wheelbarrow in hand! – to pick their perfect pumpkin.

Once the pumpkin-picking is done, visitors can head to the cosy stretch tent to choose from a wide selection of specialty pumpkins to complement their Jack O’Lantern, before tucking into delicious seasonal treats. From Wasing organic beef pasties and sausage rolls to warming pumpkin soup, the menu showcases the very best of Wasing’s estate-to-plate ethos, using organic beef reared on the estate. Crêpes, doughnuts and pizzas will also be on offer – the perfect way to round off an autumnal day out before heading home to carve their perfect pumpkin.

Faith Knight, Head of Communications at Wasing, says:

“We’re delighted to welcome visitors back to Wasing this October for the sixth year of our Pumpkin event. It’s become a much-loved autumn tradition for local families, and we love seeing visitors return each year to enjoy the beauty of the estate, pick their perfect pumpkin and create special memories in nature”

Rooted in Wasing’s ethos of Deep Connection – to self, to one another and to the natural world – this much–loved event invites families to slow down, reconnect and create lasting memories in the heart of nature. Fresh from being named the UK’s Most Desirable Venue by Bridebook, Wasing has become the destination for meaningful experiences in nature, offering memorable moments that celebrate the beauty of the estate throughout the seasons.

Tickets are available to purchase via: http://www.wasing.co.uk/pumpkins

2026 Ticket prices:

£6.50 for ages 2+ on weekdays and £7.50 for ages 2+ on weekends. Under 2s free but still require a ticket.

Opening Dates:

16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st October 2026. Please select your chosen arrival time when booking tickets.

Further information:

Located @ Wasing Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Wasing Lane, Aldermaston, RG7 4LZ

More information @ www.wasing.co.uk/pumpkins

Follow Wasing Estate on Facebook & Instagram @Wasing1759

For media enquiries, please contact Wasing Press Office

story@wasing.co.uk | 0118 971 4140

About Wasing Estate:

Wasing exists to cultivate Deep Connection; to self, to one another, and to the natural world around us. It is a place where we are reminded of what really matters, inspired by the beauty of nature; where every gathering and celebration is held with the deepest of intention.

Recently named the UK’s Most Desirable Venue by Bridebook, the estate is home to one of the finest wedding venues in the country and is a stunning space where exceptional events are hosted, including immersive musical experiences in woodland amphitheatre, The Mount, and stunning enclave, The Woodland, nestled deep in the heart of the countryside.

At Wasing, sustainability and a deep connection to the natural world lie at the heart of everything on offer, from the organic farm, which supports the ‘Estate to Plate’ ethos, to Wasing Wellbeing, where guests reconnect through rejuvenating retreats and wild swimming. By blending natural beauty with exemplary hospitality, Wasing delivers meaningful, lasting and inspiring experiences for all who visit.

The fourth annual Activists Without Borders Film Festival (AWBFF) brought filmmakers, activists and community leaders together in Reading on 10-11 October for a weekend of powerful films and discussions on human rights, social justice, climate change and conflict.

Held at The Pavilion and Reading Biscuit Factory Cinema, the festival screened 23 films across six programmes: Changing Perspectives, Memory & Resistance, Climate & Survival, Humanity in Action, Voices for Justice, and Conflict & Survival.

The programme featured short and feature-length documentaries and dramas from filmmakers around the world. Each screening was followed by a discussion, giving audiences the opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers and explore the issues raised by their work.

Films from around the world

This year, the festival received just over 200 submissions from 70 countries around the world. The selected programme brought together stories addressing human rights violations, environmental challenges, conflict, displacement and other urgent social issues.

Filmmakers travelled to Reading from Romania, Ireland, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Austria and the United States, alongside filmmakers from across the UK. Hundreds of people attended over the weekend, including local residents, activists, filmmakers, students and members of the wider community.

Celebrating filmmakers and social impact

The festival concluded on Sunday with the AWBFF 2026 Awards Ceremony, celebrating filmmakers whose work engages with important social, environmental and human rights issues. Alongside the main competitive categories, the festival presented Social Impact Awards, recognising films that raise awareness and encourage meaningful change. A total of 20 filmmakers received awards in person at this year’s festival.

The Best Documentary Award was presented to Lifeline: The War on UNRWA, a film whose executive producers were also involved in the Academy Award-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab. The documentary examines the work of UNRWA, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees, amid funding cuts and politically motivated attacks.

The film was screened alongside Kim: The Long Way Home, a documentary produced by the British Red Cross, follows Kim and her family’s escape from war-torn Vietnam to Britain in the 1980s, exploring how exile and hostility shaped a lifelong commitment to justice and compassion. Together, the films prompted discussions about humanity in action across borders and generations, and the importance of supporting those working to help others.

A Social Impact Award was also presented to Brazilian journalist Dom Phillips’s wife, Alessandra Sampaio, in recognition of the story behind Missing in the Amazon: The Search for Dom and Bruno, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker James Rogan, who attended the festival. The documentary explores the disappearance of Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in the Amazon, and the efforts of their loved ones to uncover the truth. Their search for answers helped inspire a global movement for justice and brought renewed attention to the dangers facing those who defend the Amazon and its Indigenous communities.

 The Best Animation Award went to All We Have, by Palestinian filmmakers Mahmoud Ghalwa and Amer Hilehal, while the Best Short Drama Award was presented to Nur, a film from the Democratic Republic of the Congo produced by Bridgeway Foundation.

The programme also featured films exploring homelessness and poverty in the UK, deforestation in the Amazon, the experiences of the Tigrayan community and pressing issues affecting communities around the world.

The awards ceremony was attended by Amjad Tarar, Deputy Mayor of Reading Borough Council; Shweta Ghosh, Lecturer in Screen Practices and Industries at the University of Reading; and local community leaders, activists, filmmakers and members of the film industry.

Supporting film as a catalyst for change

AWBFF 2026 was organised by Activists Without Borders, with support from Film Hub South East and International Youth Council. The festival also received support from the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery, helping bring the festival and its films to wider audiences.

Through its screenings, awards and filmmaker discussions, the festival created a space for audiences to engage with issues that are often complex, challenging or overlooked, while encouraging dialogue across communities and borders.

Festival Director Baazir Kaleelur Rahman said:

“Throughout history, films have changed policies, shifted perspectives and inspired action across the world. At Activists Without Borders Film Festival, we believe in the power of cinema to amplify global issues, give a voice to the unheard and turn stories into catalysts for meaningful change.”

The festival continues to provide a platform for filmmakers who use cinema to document injustice, share lived experiences and inspire audiences to engage with the issues shaping our world.

Looking ahead to 2027

Submissions for the 2027 Activists Without Borders Film Festival will open in January 2027. Filmmakers from around the world will be invited to submit work exploring human rights, social justice, environmental issues, conflict and other subjects that can contribute to meaningful public discussion.

For the full list of selected films, award winners and photographs from the 2026 festival, visit: https://activistswithoutborders.org.uk/film-festival-2026/