British Firework Championships 2023 is expected to be the best yet!

10th August 2023

It’s all eyes to the skies as the British Firework Championships return to Plymouth on 16 and 17 August 2023. 

The British Firework Championships in partnership with Brittany Ferries, is set to go with a bang where six of the UK’s top firework 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. This year there’s a brand new award, the Young People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Plymouth Citybus, where a special group of up to 10 care-experienced children and young people will have a central part in the judging process.

The Fairground and Catering stalls will open to the public on Plymouth Hoe from 2pm and live entertainment on stage from 5pm until 8.45pm on both nights, all music featured on the stage is local and home grown! CASA presents Summer Jams features a series of 15 minute slots of local DJs playing family friendly Ibiza chill to kick-start both nights, followed by Mad Dog Mcrea Acoustic set, and The Andy Quick Band on Wednesday, and Malavita and Land of The Giants on Thursday. The fireworks will begin at 9.30pm. 

Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Events at Plymouth City Council and Portfolio Holder for the Council’s Children, Young People and Families Service, said: “We’re really proud to be giving a voice to care-experienced young people with the new Young People’s Choice Awards at this nationally significant event and thank Citybus for their support in making this happen”.

Another first for 2023, each evening the live music and fireworks commentary will be BSL signed, in a bid to make the event more accessible to a wider audience. Daryl McMullan, Managing Director of Complete Communications said, “Everyone at Complete Communications is so excited to work with Plymouth City Council this year to make the British Firework Championships accessible to deaf and disabled people. We are passionate about making Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall accessible to all, and this is a huge step forward in achieving this”.

Charlotte Winship, Event Manager for The Event Services Association said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Plymouth for the 2023 British Fireworks Championships.  This is our 26^th year and each gets bigger and better. The competitors have been planning their displays all year and will be pulling out all the stops to give you a thrilling spectacle on both nights. The safety and wellbeing of all is paramount and we want everyone to enjoy the fireworks safely whether on land or water. Be mindful of each other and please follow the advice and instructions of the event stewards and safety team so we can keep everyone safe.”

The city will be busy and visitors are encouraged to use sustainable transport where possible. Additional Park & Ride services will be provided across both evenings, offering a quick direct service to Royal Parade – a 10 minute walk to the Hoe. Services are running from Milehouse, Coypool Park and George Park and Ride. There will also be extra, regular buses from Plymouth Citybus running from the city centre. You can also travel via GWR train and coach services. There will be multiple road closures in place across both evenings [Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17] at varying times, a full list is available on the Visit Plymouth website.

To keep everyone safe there will be restricted areas during the course of the two days. There will be a no fly zone with the Civil Aviation Authority between 3pm – 1am each day (which includes drone flights) and a water safety exclusion zone [between 8.30 and 10.50pm], to maintain a safe distance and allow access for safety and emergency vessels.

Our competitors for 2023 are:

The UK Fireworks Company, who specialise in bespoke firework displays, special effects, bonfires, fire writing, sculptures, and more. The team is passionate and aims to enhance any event, from weddings to corporate gatherings and festivals.

Distant Thunder Fireworks, established in 2007, has worked with renowned pyrotechnic companies worldwide. They won the British Musical Fireworks Championship in 2019 and continue to impress at various events.

Shockwave Pyrotechnics, formed in 2007, is an award-winning Midlands-based company that delivers creative and innovative displays for audiences of all sizes, including the Getty family.

Skyburst, The Fireworks Co., founded in 1982, is known for pushing the boundaries of fireworks and pyrotechnics. Their displays combine power and beauty, using high-quality materials sourced from Europe and the Far East.

Pyrovision, established in 1994, focuses on creating high-impact, dramatic firework displays. They have worked at prestigious venues like Buckingham Palace and the London Eye and have showcased their expertise in international festivals and competitions.

Electrify Pyrotechnics, a passionate team with over 200 years of combined experience, established in 2017. Based in the Peak District, they deliver exciting displays for various events, from weddings to large-scale bonfire night celebrations and music festivals.

As well as the pre-display entertainment on the Hoe there’ll be a funfair and some amazing food and drink stall available both on the Hoe and Madeira Road.

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