Lewes Bonfire 2026: All you need to know
ReutersTens of thousands of people are expected in Lewes on Thursday for the town's annual bonfire celebrations.
The event sees effigies paraded through the town centre, culminating in a huge bonfire and firework display.
Lewes residents have been advised to get vehicles home before 16:00 GMT to avoid any road closures in place.
Visitors have been urged to stay away and not to bring cars into the town.
Event schedule
- 17:00 Torch-lit street processions begin
- 20:00 The Grand Processions through town start, going down Western Road, the High Street, past the war memorial and down School Hill
- 21:30 Bonfires lit at sites around the town followed by a firework display
- 23:00 Event is due to conclude
Full details are available here.
Road closures
A number of road closures will be in place from 16:45 including:
- A27 junction with A277 Brighton Road (Ashcombe Roundabout)
- A275 Offham Road with B2116 Plumpton Road
- A26 junction with A2029 Malling Street
- Church Lane junction with Mayhew Way
On-street parking will be suspended on certain streets in the town.
Roads will reopen at 02:00 on Friday.
More details are available here.
Rail
Visitors travelling by rail will have a "limited" service to the town, according to Southern Railway.
Trains will not stop at Lewes or the surrounding stations of Falmer, Cooksbridge, Glynde and Southease from 17:00 until the start of the following day.
Commuters are warned the last trains back from Victoria to those stations will leave at 15.24 and 15.54.
A Southern spokesperson said: "We've been asked to do this by the emergency services and other agencies who are concerned about the very real risks of overcrowding and safety in the narrow streets of Lewes."
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