Cambridge Fireworks Night 2026: Where to Park Near Midsummer Common
Your guide to parking for Cambridge fireworks on Midsummer Common this Bonfire Night.
Cambridge Fireworks 2026: Parking Near Midsummer Common for Bonfire Night
More than 25,000 people head to Midsummer Common for Cambridge Fireworks Night, and this year it lands on a Thursday, so most of them will be coming straight from work. Roads around the common close as the crowds arrive, and every side street within walking distance fills up long before the first rocket goes up. Book your space now and you'll know exactly where you're leaving the car, so you can walk over, grab some food and be in place for the 7pm display.
Date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Where: Midsummer Common, Cambridge CB5 8DJ
Timings: entertainment and food from 6pm, with the fireworks display at 7pm
Tickets: free and un-ticketed, so you just turn up on the night
Book Cambridge Fireworks Parking
Book parking for Cambridge Fireworks Night and have a space waiting for you, rather than circling the streets around the common as the crowds build.
Find parking near Midsummer Common from £1.20 an hour, with private driveways and spaces a short walk from Jesus Green and the river.
Choose your price point, from spaces a few minutes from the common to cheaper driveways a little further out in north Cambridge.
Extend your stay in the app if you decide to stay on for food after the display, where the space allows it.
Skip the post-display queues by parking on a quieter residential street away from the main exit routes.
What's on at Cambridge Fireworks Night 2026?
Cambridge City Council's Fireworks Night is one of the city's longest-running traditions, and it's billed as the largest free fireworks display in the East of England. This year's show is designed by Pains Fireworks, who are promising their biggest and best Midsummer Common display yet, packed with new effects.
The evening starts at 6pm with food vendors, a live DJ and walkabout acts, including two giant caribou puppets parading across the common and a pair of stilt-walking jellyfish. The fireworks begin at 7pm. There's no bonfire, which the council has dropped in recent years.
Cambridge is one of only a handful of big displays sticking to 5 November itself this year. If you want to compare it with other events, our guide to the UK's best Bonfire Night displays in 2026 lists dates and times across the country.
Road Closures Around Midsummer Common
Plan around the road closures before you set off, because they decide where you can and can't drive on the night.
Closures from 6pm: in previous years, roads around Midsummer Common have closed from 6pm until around 9.30pm, with a one-way system on some surrounding streets. Check the council's event page for the 2026 details closer to the date.
Arrive before 6pm: if your space is close to the common, aim to be parked before the closures start, or you may not be able to reach it.
Bus diversions: some city bus routes are diverted while the roads are closed, so allow extra time if you're combining a bus with your journey.
Parking enforcement: extra traffic wardens patrol the area on the night, and illegally parked cars blocking pedestrian exit routes can be dealt with by the police.
Where to Park for Cambridge Fireworks
The streets north of the river, around Jesus Green and Chesterton, are the most practical place to park, with a walk of a few minutes to Midsummer Common. Prices below are starting rates on JustPark and change with the date and length of your stay.
Park on Carlyle Road, a private space two minutes' walk from Jesus Green and the river, popular with drivers heading to events on the common.
Reserve a space on Parsonage Street, a stone's throw from Midsummer Common and big enough for estate cars and 4x4s. It's close to the event, so arrive before the road closures begin.
Gilbert Road, a large private driveway around four minutes' walk from Jesus Green and ten minutes from the city centre.
Victoria Road and Gurney Way, residential driveways in north Cambridge with a slightly longer walk in and an easier drive out towards the A14 and M11.
Graduate Cambridge Car Park at the DoubleTree Hilton on Granta Place, open 24/7 with no height restrictions, if you'd rather park in the centre and make a night of it.
Park and Ride for Cambridge Fireworks
If you're driving in from outside the city, Cambridge's five Park & Ride sites let you leave the car on the edge of town and take the bus in. In previous years, extra buses have run from all five sites on fireworks night.
From the north: Milton Park & Ride, off the A10 and A14.
From the west: Madingley Road Park & Ride, close to the M11 and A428.
From the south: Trumpington Park & Ride, on the southern approach from the M11.
From the south-east: Babraham Road Park & Ride, on the A1307.
From the east: Newmarket Road Park & Ride, on the eastern edge of the city.
Return buses can stop at different points on the night because of the road closures, so check where to catch your bus home before the display.
Cambridge Fireworks FAQs
When is Cambridge Fireworks Night 2026?
Cambridge Fireworks Night 2026 is on Thursday 5 November on Midsummer Common. Unlike many displays that have moved to the weekend, Cambridge is sticking to Bonfire Night itself.
What time do the Cambridge fireworks start?
The event opens at 6pm with food, music and walkabout entertainment, and the fireworks display starts at 7pm.
Is Cambridge Fireworks Night free?
Yes. The Midsummer Common display is free and un-ticketed, so you don't need to book anything except your parking.
Is there a bonfire at Cambridge fireworks?
No. The council no longer lights a bonfire on Midsummer Common, so the evening centres on the fireworks, food and entertainment.
Where can I park near Midsummer Common?
The residential streets north of the river, around Jesus Green and Chesterton, are the closest practical option. Book a private driveway or space through JustPark and arrive before the road closures begin at 6pm.
Is there Park & Ride for Cambridge fireworks?
Yes. All five Cambridge Park & Ride sites (Milton, Madingley Road, Trumpington, Babraham Road and Newmarket Road) serve the city centre, and extra buses have run on fireworks night in previous years.
Live Near Midsummer Common? Earn Extra Income by Renting Out Your Driveway
Even if you're not heading to the fireworks yourself, thousands of people will be looking for somewhere to park near Midsummer Common on Bonfire Night. Midsummer Common and neighbouring Jesus Green host events throughout the year too, from Strawberry Fair to the Cambridge Beer Festival, so demand doesn't stop on 5 November.
Rent out your driveway with JustPark, and turn an unused space into extra income on busy nights.
Earn more on event nights, as hosts near event venues have seen income uplifts of up to 57% during major events compared with an average week.
Set a higher price for fireworks night using scheduled pricing, then let it settle back down afterwards.
Ready for Cambridge Fireworks Night?
The best part of Bonfire Night is the moment the sky over Midsummer Common lights up, not the hunt for a space beforehand. Book your parking now, arrive before the roads close and enjoy the show with your evening sorted.
Book your Cambridge fireworks parking today.
