Skip to main content

British Firework Championships set to wow crowds in 25th anniversary year

Firework display above Plymouth Sound during British Firework Championships in 2021, with people watching in boats

It’s all eyes to the skies as the British Firework Championships returns to Plymouth on 17 and 18 August 2022.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the annual, free, battle of the bangs, which sees six of the UK’s top fireworks display companies compete to be crowned the best. Each company puts on a ten-minute long display guaranteed to make jaws drop, with three displays on each night.

There will be a funfair to enjoy on Plymouth Hoe from 2pm, entertainment on stage from 6pm and the ‘oohs and ahhs’ begin at 9:30pm with the start of the pyrotechnics.

Covid aside, over its quarter-century the show has gone on regardless of weather or outside events. Not even the discovery of a nearby unexploded WW2 bomb in 1998 was enough to stop the show, while in 2012 the displays went ahead but it was deemed too wet for a fair judging process.

Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure & Sport at Plymouth City Council - which runs the Championships in partnership with The Event Services Association - said: “It’s amazing to be able to welcome the British Firework Championships back to Plymouth for its 25th anniversary - and to the perfect setting of the natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound. We’ve been proud hosts of this event for the last twenty-five years and in that time it has truly become part of Plymouth’s DNA, so we’re looking forward to another spectacular show this year.”

Kevin Minton, Event Manager at The Event Services Association said: “We are delighted to be in Plymouth once again for the 25th Anniversary of The British Firework Championships.

“Once again, we can guarantee an absolutely spectacular show over two nights and, this year, each display will feature a special Platinum Jubilee sequence to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 years of service. Some of the firework teams are returning from previous years, but there are also some new teams displaying for the first time.

“This year, the RNLI will be selling the firework programme on the Hoe and along the waterfront and all proceeds from programme sales will go towards their funds.”

This year’s competitors, who have been selected by draw to take part and are listed in firing order, are:

Nemisis Pyrotechnics

The Crewe-based company has been lighting up the skies for more than 15 years. They’ve competed in the competition several times before – the last time in 2019 and have provided pyrotechnics for many prestigious events including the BBC Proms in the Park.

Europla Displays UK

It’s the first time Europla Displays UK, from Bath, have competed in the Plymouth championships. They are relative newcomers - only starting producing their own displays in 2017. Expect to hear lots of sound effects from this team – all created without using plastic! 

Phoenix Fireworks

Kent-based Phoenix Fireworks was founded in 1972, won the British Firework Championships in 2009 and has also won the British Musical Firework Championships in 2007.

Fully Fused Fireworks

Shefford-based Fully Fused Fireworks has been entertaining the crowds both at home and abroad for more than 40 years. They’ve taken part in the Plymouth competition before and were the first UK company to win the Festival of Fireworks in Monaco and were runners up in Macao China – beating the Chinese into third place.

Sonic Fireworks

Devon’s own Sonic Fireworks from Uffculme have been taking part in displays for nearly 30 years and last year came second in the British Musical Firework Championships in Southport. This is the first time they have competed in the Plymouth-based competition.

Wizard Fireworks

Kent-based Wizard Fireworks will launch their display from Mount Batten for the very first time, drawing on more than 20 years’ experience.

There will be pre-display entertainment on the Hoe including performances from Jessica and the Rabbits and local legends Joey the Lips as well as a funfair. Food and drink will be available both on the Hoe and Madeira Road. To make things easier over the two days anyone wanting to buy food and drink is asked to bring cash if they can and encouraged to bring their reusable cups.

Find all the details about the event, including full travel information, at www.visitplymouth.co.uk/fireworks.