Blackpool World Firework Championships

The Blackpool World Firework Championships is back with a bang this year! It’s just one of the events during the Blackpool Illuminations season. Above photo: Blackpool World Firework Championships by Gregg Wolstenholme Photography for Visit Blackpool

Blackpool World Firework Championship – Back for 2023!

A pyrotechnics team from India were crowned champions of Blackpool’s annual World Fireworks competition after staging their country’s first ever display in the UK. The display by the Amir Morani Fireworks (AMFW) team was the first of three spectacular shows staged on the Tower Festival Headland during September and October.

Saturday 16 September, Saturday 30 September and FRIDAY 20 October.

Three countries will participate over three nights in the autumn, so get these dates in your diary! The stunning displays set to music, take place over the beach in front of The Blackpool Tower. All are free to access. Over the years, the firework events have become one of the resort’s biggest draws. In 2022, each one attracted more than 50,000 spectators to the Tower Festival Headland.

Entering the World 2023 Fireworks Championship…

India, Switzerland and Italy will battle it out over the three free events at Tower Festival Headland.

The World Fireworks Championship Blackpool is one of the resort’s most spectacular events. The firework displays, all synchronised to music, are launched from the beach in front of The Blackpool Tower.

Week One

This year’s event will open on Saturday 16 September with a display by the Indian team Azan Morani Fireworks (AMFQ) team. It’s also the first time an Indian fireworks company has performed in the UK. Azan Morani has designed and programmed some of the largest and most complex shows in the world.

The company was founded in 1937 and has since delivered some of the most prestigious events in India, using state-of-the-art firing and design technology. A spokesperson for AMFW said they were “ecstatic and honoured” to make history by putting on the first Indian pyrotechnics display in the UK.

Week Two

Week Two on Saturday 30 September, will see the Swiss pyrotechnics company, SUGYP, take centre-stage. Established in 1967, it’s one of Switzerland’s major pyrotechnics companies.

They put displays on all across Europe, as well as competing in international festivals in the Philippines, Macau, Vietnam and Canada. Each year, the company makes more than 150 shows for Swiss National Day celebrations and has displayed at major events including the Americas Cup and the Lyon Festival of Lights.

Week Three

The final performance on Friday 20 October is by Italian fireworks company Pirotecnica Soldi. It also coincides with the launch of this year’s annual Lightpool Festival in Blackpool.

The company was founded by Francesco Soldi in 1869 as a response to architects who wanted to illuminate the facades of churches and buildings on special occasions. Since then, generation after generation has continued a tradition of handcrafting fireworks, which are still made for displays at its factory in Florence. They’ve participated in many International Fireworks competitions including Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Canada. They last performed in Blackpool in 1999.

This FREE annual event is organised by Visit Blackpool (the official tourism department at Blackpool Council). Take a look at this short video of what to expect…

And the 2021 World Fireworks Winner is…

Germany – their dramatic display of fireworks set to classical music has secured them first place in this year’s World Fireworks Championship Blackpool. The display started with the haunting sound of a gong being struck three times. It beat off competition from Russia and Ireland.

Judges said it was almost impossible to separate the three entrants because of the sheer quality of the displays. But they were particularly impressed by Germany’s synchronisation of music that comprised a celebration of Beethoven. They also praised the spectacular finale.

A spokesperson for the winning German team said the show was originally designed for the championship in 2020 to mark the 250^th anniversary of Beethoven. It was dedicated to the composer’s music and was titled “Beethoven’s birthday bash”.

He added: “My decision to limit the soundtrack to the compositions of only one composer made it much more difficult than working on a soundtrack for a “normal” show. The soundtrack begins with three gongs, without fireworks, which is a kind of a signature for my shows.

“One of my favourite scenes in this show is the rising part in the epic version of Moonlight Sonata which still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it!”

A Fabulous Free Evening Out

The ‘Tea Boys’ from Brew at 2 went along to the second event to capture some of the magic for you! Take a look at a fabulous, free evening out –

Cllr Lynn Williams is Leader of Blackpool Council. She said: “After more than a year of having to cancel and postpone shows and events, we are delighted to be able to announce that two of our biggest free events will go ahead over the coming months.

“These are free family events that are hugely popular with residents and visitors alike. We hope that by moving the fireworks to Saturdays it will give people more time to come into the centre of Blackpool during the daytime and enjoy some of the many other attractions on offer before watching the fireworks finale.”

VisitBlackpool has already announced an extended Illuminations season starting on Friday 3 September and running through to January 3, 2022.

Takes place over four fabulous evenings
October 1, 15, 27 and 28
SAVE THE DATES!

A Fantastic Free Night Out!

It’s a great time to enjoy the best that Blackpool’s got to offer. If you live close by you can make a day of it. Or have a look at some places to stay and enjoy a weekend break.

There’s so much to see and do. Why don’t you check out our long list of things to do on the Fylde Coast? Whatever the weather, you’re sure of a great time.

Enjoy a stroll in the warm evening air before the autumn weather sets in. Eat a bag of chips with your fingers – they taste so much better like that.

Where to watch the Fireworks

Fireworks are fired over the sea in front of the Tower. There’s a perfect viewing arena at Tower Festival Headland on the promenade. Watch Blackpool World Firework Championships from anywhere along the seafront and from north to south and at North Pier. You’ll be able to see them!

Get fantastic views from anywhere on Blackpool seafront. 

Enjoy the Lights

The Blackpool World Firework Championship takes place at the beginning of Blackpool Illuminations season. In a two-for-one experience, you can enjoy the Lights too.

Travelling Time

Please allow extra time for travel when you come to this event. It’s very popular and there may be traffic delays when you arrive and leave afterwards.

For ease of travelling, use the car parks at the south and north of resort. Make your way to central Blackpool on foot or with public transport. Buses and the tramway will get you there and there’s also the railway too.

Plan your journey with the handy GoEuro app that will get you from door to door. Find out about local public transport.

Don’t forget…

• Keep an eye on the Visit Fylde Coast Events Calendar. There’s hundreds of other things to do here on the Fylde Coast.
• Get the latest to your inbox. Sign up for your weekly email newsletter from Visit Fylde Coast
• Like our Facebook page – Live Blackpool
• Follow us on Twitter @VisitFyldeCoast

Previous Winners…

Take a look back through some of the previous Years of Blackpool World Firework Championships. How many of them did you see?

And the 2022 winner was…

Wales! They’ve been crowned champions of Blackpool’s annual World Fireworks competition after a spectacular display that dazzled tens of thousands of spectators. The result was announced at the grand finale to fireworks season on Friday 28 October when Titanium put on a showcase event.

The judging panel praised the outstanding quality of their synchronised display. It opened with music from the nation’s best-loved singing star Sir Tom Jones, continuing with an upbeat medley of pop songs. They gave a nod to Welsh heritage and other homegrown stars.

First time winners

It’s the first time that Wales have participated in the competition. Founded in in 2004, Celtic Fireworks is one of the largest importers of fireworks in the UK. They have experience of working all across the globe on events including the Olympic Games, Saudi National Day and Bastille celebrations.

Jeff MacNamara is Resorts Director of Coral Island, the competition sponsors, and one of the firework competition judges. He said: “We’re delighted to have been able to sponsor one of the most exciting events for the 2022 season.

“As one of Blackpool’s largest family venues, Coral Island are proud to support the local community to ensure fantastic events like the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool can take place.”

2020 was Postponed due to Covid…

The 2020 extravaganza should have taken place over Fridays 11, 18, 25 September & 2 October 2020. Sadly – but not unexpectedly – it was postponed.

Organisers VisitBlackpool said the current coronavirus restrictions made it impossible to stage the events. It usually attract tens of thousands of people to the Promenade.

Here’s what we missed

In memoriam to the postponed Blackpool World Firework Championships event, George Baker sent in some of his own photos of the 2019 event. Fingers crossed for 2021!!

In 2019 the winner is…

At the final event, Ukraine beat off international competition from Estonia and the previous year’s winners, Canada, to take the coveted title.

Dance of Fire won the annual World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool. The display impressed everyone with amazing pyrotechnical expertise and synchronization of fireworks to music.

Your Photos of the 2019 Blackpool World Firework Championships

Here are some of your photos of the Blackpool World Firework Championships!

Russell Taylor had a great time shooting the fireworks display for the first time during week 3. They’re not an easy subject to capture and we’re sure you’ll agree that Russell has done a great job!

And Pat Morley sent in some more amazing photos of the final week of the 2019 World Firework Championships Blackpool.

The Winner of Blackpool World Firework Championships 2018 is…

It’s a transatlantic triumph as Canada wins the World Fireworks title for the second time in four years!

Firemaster Productions saw off competition from teams from France and Romania. Theirs was a spectacular display during the third heat. The Canadian team has produced world-class displays for over 10 years. They won the title on their last appearance in Blackpool in 2014.

The winner was chosen by a panel of judges. They included Cllr Campbell; Peter Sedgwick, owner of Blackpool’s piers; and Cheryl Tchobanian, owner of the Beach House Bar and Bistro.

World Firework Championships 2017

South Africa were winners of the 2017 World Firework Championships in Blackpool.

Fireworks for Africa saw off competition from Poland and France with their spectacular display during week three of the 2017 event. The team’s success was announced on 29 September. The UK’s favourite pyrotechnic team, Titanium, put on a spectacular show to close the competition.

Founded in 1996, Fireworks for Africa has steadily grown with the demand for quality fireworks and pyrotechnics shows. They’re based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

World Firework Championships 2016

A team of master blasters from the USA scooped first prize at Blackpool World Fireworks Championships 2016. The USA competed with Australia and Slovakia and the UK’s Titanium Fireworks provided the celebration finale again.

2015 World Firework Championships

In 2015 Canada took the crown as fireworks champions for the second year. They competed with China and France in the 2015 championships here in Blackpool.

Canada Crowned World Fireworks Championship Winners for 2014

Canadian master blasters Firemaster Productions were the winners of Blackpool’s World Fireworks Championships in 2014.

World Firework Championships 2013

Thousands of people enjoyed amazing displays at the annual festival with competitors from Ireland, France and China. Great British pyrotechnic experts Titanium rounded off the annual spectacle with the French team crowned as winners.