What could be better than a glorious fireworks display? How about an entire fireworks festival? These massive events provide the opportunity for manufacturers to debut exciting new effects alongside those that we have grown to love. If you want to check out the excitement, here is a list of some of the top fireworks festivals around the globe.
United States
Michigan’s Bay City Fireworks Festival is one of the longest-running and best-known fireworks festivals in the United States. Held for three days each year over the Fourth of July weekend, the Bay City Fireworks Festival will celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2017. A family carnival and a car and bike show, along with numerous food vendors, help to round out the excitement.
Other fun and exciting options include the Mid-Atlantic Fireworks Festival held in Maryland every April, and Pennsylvania’s PyroFest in May. Both offer a tremendous mix of novel fireworks displays that are sure to engage spectators of all ages.
United Kingdom
London consistently takes top marks for its elaborate New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza, but those seeking a multi-day festival experience have numerous options to choose from. London’s entry is the tremendous Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival in November, which features a parade, a beer fest, an ice skating rink, and a huge bonfire alongside the signature event.
In Plymouth, the British Fireworks Championships, held in August, pits the best of the best against each other in judged competition. The September Festival of Fireworks, in South Derbyshire, celebrates the top fireworks companies in the country with impressive and long-lasting displays.
Japan
Japan loves its fireworks, and boasts an annual lineup of more than a dozen highly impressive fireworks festivals. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, but the Nagaoka Matsuri festival, held the first three days of August, generally hits the top of the list. Besides a long list of novel effects, look for tremendous artistry and highly technical show design.
China
Fireworks were invented in China, so it only makes sense that the country would continue to celebrate them. The nation’s top fireworks festival is the Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival, held at the beginning of October each year. Rooted in Chinese and international culture, and built on a base of thoroughly modern technology, the competition displays are a sensory overload of music, rhythms, colors, and pictures that are sure to dazzle and delight.
Philippines
Formerly known as the World Pyro Olympics, the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is a highly impressive competition between the best fireworks companies in the world. Two companies present displays each night of the competition, which lasts for six Saturdays in February and March. The final night is a fireworks extravaganza and awards presentation.
Canada
Canada is home to quite a few fireworks festivals and competitions, including the prestigious Celebration of Light, a weeklong competition and music festival held the last week of July. The Montreal Fireworks Festival, held across several days throughout July and early August, is considered one of the top fireworks competitions in the world.
Mexico
Held in the fireworks production city of Tultepec each March, Mexico’s National Fireworks Festival is considered one of the top fireworks festivals in the world. It lasts for a full week. In addition to traditional display fireworks, music, and dancing, the festival also features a massive sky lantern release and two highly novel types of fireworks—the castillos and the pamplonada.
Castillos are wood, reed, and paper frames that resemble castles. Fireworks are attached to these frames and then lit in such a way that they make part of the structure move. It takes nearly half an hour for a typical Castillo to go through all of its features.
Pamplonada are elaborate, hand-crafted frames that resemble bulls and are meant to evoke the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. They can contain as many as 4,000 fireworks each, and are pulled through the streets of town for five to six hours, launching their fireworks the whole time.
Grand fireworks displays can be jaw-dropping, but for a true fireworks aficionado, nothing beats a multi-day fireworks festival. Wherever you happen to be in the world, there is likely to be a festival held nearby.
At Dynamite Fireworks, we don’t only sell top-quality, name-brand fireworks. We also provide the information you need to know to use them responsibly, legally, and safely. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call at (219) 937-4090. We look forward to becoming your one-stop shop for all your fireworks needs!
