British Firework Championships return to Plymouth

The two-day event will return to the Hoe

Plymouth's annual hosting of the British Fireworks Championships are set to begin later.

The two-day 2025 event, on Wednesday and Thursday, will begin each night at 21:30 BST, with three 10-minute displays.

Plymouth City Council said this year's championships, sponsored by Associated British Ports (ABP), would include displays from six previous winners as they competed for the "champion of champions" title.

Councillor Sally Haydon, cabinet member for events, said the event would be a "wonderful opportunity to enjoy some spectacular fireworks".

Each previous winner will deliver their 10-minute display launched from Mountbatten Breakwater over Plymouth Sound.

On Wednesday, Sonic Fireworks from Devon, Bristol-based Skyburst The Firework Co and BBB Fireworks from East Sussex will perform.

On Thursday, Selstar Fireworks from West Sussex, Fully Fused Fireworks from Bedfordshire and Nottingham-based 1st Galaxy Firework Displays will deliver their displays.

It is the first time a competitor from Devon has taken part in the "champions of champions" competition after having won the world championships in 2022.

Rob Joliffe, from Uffculme-based Sonic Fireworks, said the firm's display for Wednesday had a retail value of £50,000.

He said: "We have fireworks giving various effects, such as cakes, slicers, candles and lots of shells which are the huge bursts you see in the sky."

The display was designed on a computer which then initiated the ignition of the fireworks, he added.

"As the firework receives the signal, it sends the signal down the wire, short-circuits it, which makes a spark and that's what fires the firework instantly," he explained.

He said the team had already spent 600 hours working on the display and would spend all day rigging the fireworks.

Who judges the competition?

The city council said the Young People's Choice Award would return for its third consecutive year, sponsored by Plymouth Citybus, giving care-experienced young people a chance to cast their vote for their favourite display.

Richard Stevens MBE, managing director at Plymouth Citybus, said the firm was "proud" to sponsor the award.

Mr Stevens added: "The firework championships is a highlight of the year for us, and the fact that we are helping to support young people across the city makes it even more special."

There will be extensive road closures in place throughout Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate the event.

Ashley Curnow, divisional port manager for Wales and the south west at ABP, the owners and operators of Millbay Docks, said: "ABP is delighted to help bring this spectacular celebration to life on the Hoe and to help showcase what Britain's Ocean City has to offer."