Halloween and Bonfire Night Decorations: Flags and Bunting Ideas

Halloween bunting, spooky flags and pirate skull-and-crossbones designs are an easy way to decorate a house, pub or school disco for 31 October, and the same bunting can then help mark out areas at a Bonfire Night display on 5 November. The one rule that covers both nights: keep all fabric decorations well away from candles, bonfires and fireworks. Here are ideas for each, with the safety points that matter.

Halloween and Bonfire Night: the dates

Many organised firework displays are held on the nearest Friday or Saturday rather than on 5 November itself, so check your local listings.

Halloween bunting and flags for the home

Halloween decorating is mostly about the front of the house: something trick-or-treaters can see from the pavement. A few ideas:

• Bunting along the porch, fence or front window. Pumpkin bunting or Happy Halloween text bunting reads clearly from the street.
• A flag on a wall-mounted pole. A 5ft x 3ft design such as the Happy Halloween Pumpkins flag suits most houses; a 3ft x 2ft flag works for a smaller porch or balcony.
• Pirate and skull designs. Skull and crossbones flags and bunting are a year-round favourite and fit Halloween perfectly, so they're a good buy if you also host pirate parties. Our post on pirate flags and the Jolly Roger explains the history.

Decorating pubs, clubs and school discos

For indoor events, bunting zig-zagged across the ceiling fills a big room cheaply. Measure each run between fixing points and add 10 to 20 percent for droop. Combine orange and black plain-colour bunting with themed lengths for a full look without a big spend, and use hand flags or small table flags as table centrepieces or prizes for the best costume. See our guide to hanging bunting for fixings that won't damage walls.

Candles, lanterns and fabric

Carved pumpkins with real tea lights are the classic Halloween hazard. Keep bunting, flags and costumes well clear of any naked flame, use battery tea lights inside pumpkins near doorways and decorations, and never hang bunting above a candle or lantern. Standard printed polyester flags and bunting are not fire-retardant.

Bunting at Bonfire Night displays

For schools, sports clubs and village committees running a display, bunting is a practical tool as well as decoration:

• Marking boundaries. A line of bunting on posts shows spectators where they can stand, and highlights entrances, exits and the first-aid point.
• Stalls and food areas. Bunting along gazebos helps people find the hot dog stand in the dark, especially if it's lit from below.
• Union Jack or club colours. Union Jack bunting is a traditional choice for 5 November, or use your club or school colours.

Fire and firework safety for flags and bunting

Fabric decorations and fireworks need plenty of space between them. If you're organising a display:

• Keep all bunting and flags well away from the bonfire and the firework launch area, and upwind of both where possible.
• Never hang bunting over spectator areas close to the launch zone, where falling debris or sparks could land.
• Observe the minimum spectator distances printed on each firework and in the organiser's safety plan.
• Take decorations down promptly afterwards rather than leaving them near smouldering embers.

Large public displays should follow the guidance from your local fire and rescue service and the event's own risk assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night on 5 November?

It marks the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, when a group of conspirators including Guy Fawkes planned to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. Bonfires were lit in celebration, and the tradition continues today.

Can I use the same bunting for Halloween and Bonfire Night?

Yes. Orange and black plain-colour bunting or skull designs suit both, and Union Jack bunting is a popular choice for 5 November.

Is flag fabric fire-resistant?

Standard printed polyester flags and bunting are not fire-retardant and can melt or burn, so keep them well away from candles, bonfires and fireworks.

Will Halloween bunting survive outdoors?

Printed polyester bunting is made for outdoor use and copes with rain. Take it in during strong winds and dry it before storing it for next year.

Planning your decorations? Browse our Halloween flags and bunting and Halloween bunting, or see our Bonfire Night range for displays and events.