Ticketed EventVictoria Park · 26–27 September 2026

British MusicalFireworks Championship

The UK's premier pyro-musical fireworks competition. Professional teams choreograph displays to music in a head-to-head championship at Victoria Park. Tickets £12. No gate sales.

Buy Tickets — £12 →Parking & Practical Info

26–27 Sep

When

Saturday & Sunday

PR8 2LG

Where

Victoria Park

£12

Tickets

Book online — no gate sales

5:30–9:30pm

Hours

Gates open 5:30pm

⚠️

No gate sales — advance tickets only

Unlike most events, the British Musical Fireworks Championship has no ticket sales at the venue. You must book online in advance at visitsouthport.com. Do not turn up hoping to buy on the night.

Terry's Take

It's a Competition, Not Just a Display

Most people come to the fireworks expecting a display and get something considerably more interesting. This is a competition. The teams are trying to win. Every burst is choreographed to music. They're judged on synchronisation, mood, and flow. There's craft in it that you don't get from a display-only event, and once you understand what you're watching, you watch it differently.

The setting is genuinely good — Victoria Park at night, a proper crowd, the trees lit from below. The 2025 show added a drone display before the fireworks, which was actually worth watching. Hundreds of drones moving in formation before the teams go on. It's worth being there from 5:30pm for all of it.

Practical note: book your tickets the moment they go on sale. This event does sell out. And the no-gate-sales rule is serious — I've seen people turn up without tickets expecting to get in. They didn't. Book online. Princes Park is your best car option; the official car park opens at 4pm. Or just take the train — Birkdale station is a 15-minute walk.

The Competition

How It Works

🎵

Pyro-Musical Format

Each competing team fires a display precisely choreographed to a music track of their choice. The fireworks — timing, colour, tempo, intensity — are designed to match the music. You're watching two things at once and the synchronisation is what impresses or disappoints.

🏆

Championship Judging

Teams are judged by an independent panel on three criteria: synchronisation (how precisely the fireworks match the music), mood (does the display match the emotional character of the track), and flow (coherence and pacing across the full display). The winners are announced after Sunday's final.

🚁

The Drone Show

Added for 2025: a drone show runs before the main fireworks programme each evening at 7:45pm. Hundreds of illuminated drones paint shapes and stories across the night sky. It's genuinely impressive as a standalone spectacle. Arrive before 7:45pm to see the full evening.

⚔️

Champion of Champions

In special years, the championship becomes a 'Champion of Champions' event where previous title holders return to compete. 2025 was one of those years. 2026 format TBC — check visitsouthport.com for the confirmed programme.

🍔

Ground Entertainment

Before the displays begin: street food stalls, bars and hot drinks, children's inflatables, glitter and face painting. Arrive from 5:30pm when gates open to get food before it gets busy. The queues build from around 7pm.

♿

Accessibility

Designated disabled viewing area on hard standing with clear sightlines and dedicated toilet facilities. Blue badge holders can access Victoria Park from 5pm — 30 minutes before the main gates open. Disabled parking at Splash World car park, first-come first-served.

The Competitors

Previous Champions

The 2025 show was a Champion of Champions event. The 2026 line-up will be confirmed at visitsouthport.com. These are the calibre of companies that compete at Southport.

Saturday Night

Imperial Lotus SE

2023 Champions

Dragon Fireworks

2021 Champions

Optimum Fireworks

2022 Champions

Sunday Night

Pyrotex Fireworks

2010 & 2011 Champions

Bright Sparks

2016 & 2024 Champions

Jubilee Fireworks

1999 & 2008 Champions

Before You Go

Parking, Tickets & Getting There

Parking

Official car park: Princes Park — opens 4pm on event days, £8 per car

Disabled parking: Splash World car park, blue badge required, first-come first-served

Town centre car parks: 10–15 min walk to Victoria Park

Nearest train stations: Southport or Birkdale (both 15 min walk) — recommended

Tickets — Important

£12 per adult + booking fee (2025 pricing — confirm for 2026)

Children under 5: FREE

Carers: free entry with documentation (DLA, PIP, Access Card etc.)

Book only at visitsouthport.com — NO gate sales. Tickets not available on the night.

Timings

Gates open: 5:30pm each day

Blue badge holders: access from 5:00pm

Drone show: 7:45pm each evening (before fireworks)

First fireworks team: 8:00pm each night

Final display: approximately 9:00–9:30pm

What to Bring

Warm layers — Victoria Park in September, late evening, usually cold

Hot drinks from the stalls or bring a flask

Ear defenders for young children — professional fireworks are very loud

Printed or digital ticket — required for entry

Blue badge if using disabled parking at Splash World

Common Questions

British Musical Fireworks — FAQs

When is the British Musical Fireworks Championship 2026?

The British Musical Fireworks Championship 2026 takes place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026 at Victoria Park, Southport. Gates open at 5:30pm each day and displays run until approximately 9:30pm.

How much are tickets for the Southport Fireworks Championship?

Tickets for the British Musical Fireworks Championship are £12 per person plus a booking fee (based on 2025 pricing — confirm at visitsouthport.com for 2026). Children under 5 are free. Carers enter free with a full-paying ticket holder. There are no gate sales — all tickets must be booked online in advance.

Is there parking at the British Musical Fireworks Championship?

The official event car park is Princes Park (near Victoria Park), open from 4pm on event days. Parking is £8 per car, payable by cash or card. Disabled parking is available at Splash World on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid blue badge.

What is the British Musical Fireworks Championship?

It's a competitive fireworks event where professional pyrotechnic companies create displays choreographed to music. Competitors are judged on synchronisation, mood, and flow. Previous champions return for Champion of Champions events in special years. It's not just a fireworks show — it's a competition where each team is trying to win.

Can I buy tickets at the gate?

No. There are no gate sales at Victoria Park. All tickets for the British Musical Fireworks Championship must be purchased online in advance. Book at visitsouthport.com. Do not turn up without a ticket.

Are dogs allowed at the Southport Fireworks Championship?

Dogs are technically permitted but the organisers strongly advise against bringing them. Professional fireworks displays produce extremely loud noise at close range — this is genuinely distressing for most dogs. If you do bring a dog, keep it on a lead at all times.

What else is at the fireworks event?

Alongside the fireworks displays, the event includes a drone show (new addition from 2025), street food, bars and hot drinks, children's inflatables, glitter and face painting, and other entertainment. Arrive early to make the most of the ground entertainment before the evening programme.

How do I get to Victoria Park for the fireworks?

By train: Southport and Birkdale stations are both approximately 15 minutes' walk from Victoria Park. By car: use the official Princes Park car park (open from 4pm on event days). Follow event signage on arrival in Southport.

British Musical Fireworks Championship 2026