When Derek Legg and a group of Eastbourne residents stood, holding burning torches at the foot of the Long Man of Wilmington on a cold February evening in 2001, they found themselves wondering “Whatever happened to Eastbourne Bonfire Society?”

Little did they know that this simple question would spark a chain of events leading to the biggest bonfire celebrations Eastbourne has seen in over 100 years.

Bonfire has long been central to Eastbourne’s heritage. During the Victorian era, the town was home to as many as seven Bonfire Societies at one time. By the outbreak of the First World War, however, the tradition had all but faded, and celebrations were a shadow of their former glory.

Despite repeated efforts to revive bonfire throughout the 20th century, it was not until 2001 that a Bonfire Society once again became a permanent and lasting fixture in Eastbourne.

Running a Bonfire Society in the 21st century is no small undertaking. Yet over the past 25 years, our members have worked tirelessly to rebuild, grow and safeguard this historic tradition — strengthening it year after year (for which we are extremely grateful).

It is therefore our absolute pleasure to bring traditional Sussex Bonfire celebrations to Eastbourne once again and we are extremely pleased to announce that:

Our Grand Torchlight Procession, Bonfire and Fireworks will return on Saturday 3rd October 2026

Planning for this landmark 25th anniversary event is already well underway. Delivering a celebration of this scale requires year-round effort, commitment and resources — and the support of the wider community is essential.

We now invite residents, businesses and supporters across Eastbourne to stand with us. Please look out for forthcoming fundraising events, sponsorship opportunities and ways to get involved, and help ensure that Eastbourne’s bonfire tradition continues to burn brightly for generations to come!