Lindfield Bonfire Night

While not the spectacle of Lewes, I would certainly count the Lindfield bonfire celebrations the next best thing in the area. It’s also easier to reach and get away from when the festivities are over.
The main display takes place on the common in the village of Lindfield (about a 15 minute walk from Haywards Heath station) and is certainly a bigger and better event than you would expect from such a small place.
They put on about £9,000 worth of fireworks which really do go off with a bang. There is also a suitably impressive pyre, but sadly health and safety have had their say in recent years and it does get fenced off a bit. Still, probably a good thing.
There is a real positive feeling about the Lindfield display and I would certainly recommend it to families with children over the more pagan and excessive Lewes night. You also have the advantage of some very nice village pubs to kick back in for a pint or two after the exhibition has ended.
Not quite the epic event of Lewes, but certainly easier to access and leave. A top notch effort of hospitality and fireworks.