The UK’s Top Summer Firework Displays
Fireworks aren’t just for the 5th November, so if you want to set your summer off with a bang, check out our sparkling round up of the UK’s top summer firework displays!
By Emily May | Updated Mar 3 2022
British Firework Championships, Plymouth
Running since 1997, the British Firework Championships is an annual competition where professional firework display companies can showcase their wares. Located in the beautiful setting of Plymouth Waterfront, the display attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city each year, who, as well as the snap-crackle-and popping pyrotechnics, enjoy fun fairs, thrill rides, and a live music stage provided by Heart FM. Although the projectiles are fired from the Mountbatten Breakwater, there are many suggested viewing locations, including the Citadel and the Hoe to name a few.
Image Credit: Ian Williams via Flickr
The British Firework Championships take place on Plymouth’s Waterfront on 8 & 9 August.
Battle Proms Picnic Concerts, Various Locations
1997 seems to have been an explosive year for firework displays, as it was also the launch year of Battle Proms Picnic Concerts, taking its name from the 200 live firing replica Napoleonic cannons that, as the signature piece of the concert, perform Beethoven’s Battle Symphony. Set amidst the historical architecture of some of the UK’s most famous stately homes, including Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle and Ragley Hall, the Battle Proms feature live music, Spitfire aerial displays, canon firings, cavalry displays and of course thunderous firework displays!
Image Credit: Battle Proms Picnic Concerts via their website
The Battle Proms Picnic Concerts take place at various historic houses across the UK until 11 August 2018.
Firework Champions, Various Locations
Another series of stately-home spectaculars, with locations including Eastnor Castle, Belvoir Castle and Stanford Hall, Firework Champions displays have a special competitive edge. Teams compete in a flaming firework face-off, and you have the chance to text vote for your favourite. There’s also informative interviews with the firework teams before the event kicks off, and demonstration lessons in pyromusical choreography. Make a weekend of it by bringing a picnic and even camping over in the specially erected Firework Champions campsites nearby.
Image Credit: Firework Champions via their website
Firework Champions displays take place at various stately homes across the country between 21 July and 15 September.
Summer Fireworks, Great Yarnmouth Central Beach
Fireworks can seem pretty expensive when you’re effectively burning money and firing it up into the air, but residents and visitors of Great Yarnmouth can enjoy free displays on the beach every Wednesday for six weeks over the summer. But you better be a night owl if you want to see the whizz bangs, the displays start at 10pm, and are preceded by live music at the Sea Life Centre Gardens.
Image Credit: via great-yarnmouth.co.uk
Summer Firework Displays are on at Great Yarnmouth beach every Wednesday for six weeks starting on 25 July 2018.
1812 Fireworks and Proms Concert, Eastbourne
Join in with an Eastbourne tradition at the 1812 Fireworks and Proms Concert on at the Eastbourne bandstand on the seafront. Each week with a different band, this concert runs every Wednesday this summer until 26 September, and culminates with a climactic rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, accompanied by a fierce firework display.
Image Credit: pablo808 via Flickr
1812 Fireworks and Proms Concerts are running every Wednesday until 26 September on Eastbourne’s seafront.