Bonfires are warm, they make ugly or space consuming objects disappear, they're fun to watch for hours on end, they are fun to make and build, and to watch grow (Plus, they can dim out and then be regrown almost immediately, making them nearly unquenchable when you need a fire. It's like electricity, but free.)

Fireworks are ooud, obnoxious, expensive, and, unfortunately, they're boring. Don't deny it. You've seen them before. They're impractical and impressive but not half as cool as any other flashy new sensation, like having a hair plucked out of your nose.