The much-awaited British Musical Fireworks Championship is back this weekend!
It’s a time when thousands of families flock to Victoria Park to enjoy the sight of the UK’s top fireworks companies launching spectacular fireworks displays into the skies above Southport set to music.
Here’s all you need to know about the 2024 event.
When is the 20224 British Musical Fireworks Championship?
The event takes place on Friday, 20th September 2024 and Saturday, 21st September 2024. Unlike previous years, this is a two-day rather than a three-day event.
Where is the event held?
Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 2BZ
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are available here: https://www.seetickets.com/…/british-musical-fireworks…
They are available online only, there is no facility to pay by cash or card on the night.
Tickets are £12 per person, with under 5s are free.
Seated Tickets are £25 per person.
Car parking is £8 per car.
Who is performing?
The popular annual event will see six of the UK’s top fireworks competitors battle it out through spectacular pyrotechnic displays set to music.
You can see three competitors compete on each night:
Friday 20th September 2024
8.00pm – Electrify Pyrotechnics
8.30pm – Bright Sparks Fireworks
9.00pm – Xplosive Fireworks
Saturday 21st September 2024
8.00pm – Dynamite Fireworks
8.30pm – The Art of Sparks
9.00pm – Fully Fused Fireworks
Gates open at 6pm each evening and close at 9.30pm.
The British Musical Fireworks in Southport
Tickets issues:
I have not received my tickets?
Please check your junk mail/spam folders. If you still can’t find your tickets then please contact seetickets.com/customerservice
Are there any concessions?
Children under 5 are free.
Carers can enter free with a full paying customer – see carers tickets section below.
Carers Tickets:
If you have a disability that necessitates a carer*, your carer will be welcomed free of charge on the day.
A carers ticket will be issued at the entrance following production of one of the documents below.
*One example of supporting documentation for Carers Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance must be produced on the day. Without documentation, carers will need to purchase a ticket on arrival.
Traffic & Travel:
As with any major event, delays are possible so please allow extra time for your journey.
Where possible we advise you use public transport – Northern Rail and Merseytravel operate frequent trains to Southport. The nearest train stations are Birkdale & Southport, both are about a 15 minute walk from the event site.
The British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Are there any road closures:
Marine Drive will be closed from 7.15pm and opened once the final display has finished and it is safe to open.
Rotten Row is closed from 4pm.
Parking:
Where can I park?
The official event car park is Princes Park, this opens at 4pm and the event opens at 6pm.
Princes Park is £8 per car. You can pay by cash or card, however card payment is preferable.
On arrival to Southport please follow the event signage.
Disabled Facilities:
Are there any disabled facilities?
The nearest designated disabled parking spaces are at Splash World.
The disabled parking spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis on presentation of an official blue disability badge. These spaces will be available at the normal car parking rate.
There will be disabled toilet facilities in Victoria Park. There will also be a number of disabled toilets within the event site.
There is a Changing Places toilet in Victoria Park.
There is an official designated disabled viewing areas with the event site, These areas will be fenced off, have dedicated disabled toilet facilities and are on a hard standing surface with an unimpeded view.
Any visitors with additional needs can access Victoria Park from 5.30pm, this is before the main gates open at 6pm.
What time does the show open / close?
The car park will be open at 4pm. Gates open at 6pm (5.30pm for visitors with additional needs) all attractions and street food will also be open at this time, there is live music from 7pm.
The first display is at 8pm, the event is due to finish at 9.30pm.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted but it is strongly advised that dogs are not brought to the event due to the noise produced by the fireworks.
All dogs must remain on their lead; this is a family event with many small children and if you have your dog off the lead you may be asked to leave the event.
Please be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog.
What else will be there?
- Childrens Inflatables
- Attractions
- Street Food
- Bars and Hot Drinks
- Glitter and Face Painting
Where can I find accommodation?
Accommodation availability can be found at visitsouthport.com
Bedrooms do tend to fill up fast so it is advisable to book early.
Where is the nearest train station?
Both Southport and Birkdale train stations are a 15 minute walk away from Victoria Park.
Can we bring our own food/ BBQ?
Food is permitted on site however BBQ’s or open fires are not permitted for Health & Safety reasons.
Are Drones allowed on site?
Drones/small unmanned aircraft systems are strictly not allowed to be flown within the event site.
Forbidden Items:
As a condition of entry Sefton Council reserves the right to conduct random searches of customers and vehicles at the point of entry and whilst within the event site.
Stewards will be searching for the following items:- Dangerous or hazardous items, Illegal substances, explosives or ammunition, fireworks, knives, blades or other weapons, firearms, laser devices, smoke canisters, transmitting devices – your co-operation is appreciated.
Opening Times
| Friday | 18:00 – 21:30 |
| Saturday | 18:00 – 21:30 |
Gates Open 18:00 First Display 20:00 Second Display 20:30 Third Display 21:00 Gates Close 21:30
Fantastic facts about the British Musical Fireworks Championship:
- Since 1999 the event has seen at least 130 spectacular fireworks displays fired to music to hundreds of thousands of thrilled spectators.
- Over two tonnes of explosive material are used throughout the competition and the total weight of fireworks used is in excess of 10 tonnes!
- Each show will require around 5 kilometres of wire to connect up the electrical circuits and to set up each display, around 15 technicians work for 12 hours.
- Although there may be over 1000 in each display, you will not see a single fuse lit by hand. It’s all done by computers.
- Some of the bigger fireworks will reach a height of 500 metres (that’s five football pitches)
- All fireworks are still handmade, because machines may produce sparks (and no-one wants a spark in a fireworks factory)
- You are unlikely to see any, rockets. Instead, professional displays use ‘shells’ which are onion shaped fireworks fired from mortar tubes.
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