When it comes to fireworks, Blackpool doesn’t do things by halves. This is a town that’s been illuminating the night sky for over a century, and nowhere does pyrotechnic spectacle quite like Britain’s favourite seaside resort. Whether you’re planning a special autumn break or looking for unforgettable evening entertainment during your Blackpool stay, the town’s fireworks displays offer some of the most breathtaking free entertainment you’ll find anywhere in the UK.
The World Fireworks Championship: Blackpool’s Pyrotechnic Showpiece
The crown jewel of Blackpool’s fireworks calendar is undoubtedly the World Fireworks Championship, and 2025 promises something extra special. Running across three spectacular nights – Friday 26th September, Saturday 27th September, and Saturday 11th October 2025 – this year’s competition features a “Champion of Champions” format, bringing back previous winners for an elite showdown on the Blackpool stage.
The Competing Teams
This isn’t just any fireworks display. The 2025 lineup features Amir Morani Fireworks from India (2023 winners), Dance of Fire from Ukraine (2019 winners), and Orion from Canada (2015 winners). Each team has already proven their mastery by triumphing at this prestigious event, so you’re guaranteed world-class pyrotechnics from teams at the absolute top of their game.
What to Expect
The stunning displays, which are set to music, take place on the beach in front of Blackpool Tower, creating a truly spectacular backdrop with the iconic Victorian landmark silhouetted against the explosions of colour. Build-up entertainment starts from 7.30pm, with the fireworks launching at approximately 8.30pm on each night.
The best part? All displays are completely free to access. Yes, you read that correctly – world-championship-level fireworks displays, professionally choreographed to music, with over 50,000 spectators expected each night, and it won’t cost you a penny to watch.
Where to Watch
The displays are fired from the beach near the Tower, which means the entire promenade becomes one giant viewing area. Central Pier, North Pier, and the stretch of promenade around the Tower offer prime viewing spots. Everyone on the promenade gets an excellent view thanks to the beach launch site.
Top tip: Arrive early if you want a spot right at the front, particularly on the Saturday nights which tend to be busier. However, even if you arrive closer to firing time, the sheer scale of these displays means you’ll still get a fantastic view from anywhere along the central promenade.
The fireworks are visible from miles around, so if you’re staying in an apartment with sea views, you might even catch glimpses from your window – though you’ll want to be down on the promenade to experience the music and full atmosphere.
Timing Your Visit
One of the brilliant things about the World Fireworks Championship dates is that they coincide perfectly with the Blackpool Illuminations, which run through to early January. This means you get two spectacular light shows in one visit – the Illuminations stretching for six miles along the coast, and world-class fireworks lighting up the night sky.
September and October are actually lovely times to visit Blackpool. The weather is often still pleasant (pack a jacket for the evening chill), the summer crowds have eased, and there’s a special atmosphere as the Illuminations transform the seafront into Britain’s biggest outdoor light show.
Bonfire Night in Blackpool
Guy Fawkes Night adds another dimension to Blackpool’s fireworks calendar, with various displays taking place around the town and surrounding areas on or around 5th November.
Blackpool Cricket Club
Blackpool Cricket Club hosts one of the area’s biggest bonfire and fireworks displays, featuring music, outdoor funfair, children’s rides, games, stalls and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a proper traditional bonfire night with all the trimmings – the smell of bonfire smoke, hot dogs and burgers, toffee apples, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
This is the kind of event that’s perfect for families, combining nostalgia with genuine spectacle. There’s usually a small admission charge (typically around £5 for adults with discounted family tickets available), which goes towards putting on the display and supporting the cricket club.
Fleetwood and Local Displays
The neighbouring town of Fleetwood, easily accessible via Blackpool’s tram network, often hosts its own fireworks extravaganza at Marine Hall Gardens. Many of the smaller towns and villages around Blackpool also put on community bonfire events, creating a lovely local atmosphere.
If you’re staying in Blackpool during early November, it’s worth checking what’s on locally. The beauty of these community displays is that they retain that authentic bonfire night feel – kids clutching sparklers, the warmth of the bonfire, and everyone’s faces lit up by the fireworks above.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Fireworks
Throughout the season, particularly during special events and late-night riding evenings, Blackpool Pleasure Beach occasionally puts on fireworks displays that add an extra dimension to the theme park experience. There’s something particularly thrilling about watching fireworks burst overhead whilst the Big One’s red track curves through the sky and the lights of the rides twinkle below.
These displays are usually included in the evening event tickets, making them excellent value if you’re planning a theme park visit anyway. The combination of rides, music, and pyrotechnics creates an electric atmosphere that’s pure Blackpool entertainment.
The Illuminations Switch-On
Whilst not strictly a fireworks event, the annual Illuminations Switch-On in late August or early September often features spectacular displays and special effects as part of the ceremony. This marks the official start of the Illuminations season and has historically featured celebrity guests pressing the famous switch.
The Switch-On draws huge crowds to the promenade and is a proper celebration of Blackpool’s most famous attraction. If your dates coincide with this event, it’s worth experiencing the atmosphere even if you’re not right at the front of the crowds.
Planning Your Fireworks Visit
What to Bring
Blackpool’s seafront can get breezy, even in September and October, so layer up. A warm jacket, comfortable shoes for standing, and perhaps a small blanket to sit on if you’re arriving very early are all sensible additions to your evening out.
For the World Fireworks Championship, consider bringing:
- Warm clothing and waterproofs (just in case)
- A small torch for navigating crowds afterwards
- Cash for refreshments from the numerous seafront vendors
- Your phone fully charged for photos (though put it away during the display itself – you’ll enjoy it more!)
Getting There and Away
The trams are your best friend for fireworks events. They run until late and provide easy access to anywhere along the promenade. If you’re staying in central Blackpool, you might even prefer to walk along the seafront to soak up the pre-event atmosphere.
After the displays end, expect crowds on public transport. This is part of the experience – everyone buzzing about what they’ve just seen – but if you’re travelling with young children or prefer to avoid the rush, consider waiting 20-30 minutes before heading to your tram stop. Grab some chips or a hot drink and let the initial surge pass.
Parking Considerations
If you’re driving to the World Fireworks Championship, be aware that parking near the Tower becomes extremely challenging. The multi-storey car parks fill up early, and seafront parking is at a premium. Using public transport or walking from your accommodation makes the evening far less stressful.
Why Blackpool for Fireworks?
There’s something special about watching fireworks by the sea. The World Fireworks Championship attracts over 50,000 spectators per night, and there’s good reason for that popularity. Where else can you enjoy world-class pyrotechnics against the backdrop of an iconic Victorian tower, with six miles of illuminations stretching into the distance and the sound of the sea providing a constant, calming counterpoint to the explosive spectacle above?
The fact that these displays are free makes them accessible to everyone, and the sheer quality of the entertainment – international championship-level displays set to carefully choreographed music – means you’re getting an experience that would cost significant money anywhere else.
Making a Weekend of It
If you’re travelling specifically for the World Fireworks Championship, consider making it a full weekend break. The three display dates are spread across September and October, allowing you to choose dates that suit you. Staying in self-catering accommodation means you can prepare dinner before the display, return afterwards for hot chocolate and a cosy evening discussing the highlights, and wake up the next morning ready to explore everything else Blackpool has to offer.
The Illuminations will be in full swing, the Tower and other attractions are open, and September/October weather is often surprisingly pleasant – crisp enough to feel autumnal but still comfortable for exploring during the day.
A Final Word on Fireworks Safety
All displays are subject to suitable weather conditions, so while cancellations are rare, they can happen. Check the official Blackpool Council or Visit Blackpool websites on the day if weather looks questionable. The organisers’ priority is always safety, and displays will only go ahead when conditions allow.
During the displays themselves, follow any instructions from marshals or stewards, keep a sensible distance from the launch site, and look after young children in crowded areas. These are well-organised events with decades of experience behind them, so you can relax and enjoy the show.
Light Up Your Blackpool Stay
Whether you’re timing your visit specifically for the World Fireworks Championship, catching a bonfire night display, or simply finding yourself in town when pyrotechnics light up the sky, fireworks add an extra dimension of magic to a Blackpool break. Combined with the Illuminations, the classic attractions, and that indefinable seaside atmosphere, they create memories that’ll have you planning your next visit before you’ve even left.
Book your Blackpool apartment early if you’re planning to visit during the World Fireworks Championship dates – these are increasingly popular events, and accommodation fills up quickly. After all, it’s not every day you get to watch the world’s best pyrotechnicians battle it out against one of Britain’s most iconic backdrops, all for the price of a tram ticket to the promenade.