All about fireworks

Glossary

Explanations and illustrations of the language of fireworks. Partly technical but mainly explaining the everyday terms which you might encounter when buying fireworks.

Effects:

To complement the glossary, we show examples and photographs of some of the main pyrotechnic effects used in fireworks.

How Do They Do That?

A view behind the scenes at the setting up of a professional firework display.

Bonfire Societies

of the South-East. Read about the Bonfire Clubs and Societies who keep the spirit of Bonfire alive and whose celebrations add a different dimension to November 5th.

Guy Fawkes Carnivals:

The Carnival Clubs and Societies of the South-West have a different way of celebrating but still going back to the same roots. Not all feature fireworks but the speciality is the extravagent illuminated floats.

Squibbing

A unique pyrotechnic tradition carried on in Bridgwater.

Fire Festivals

Fireworks are not the only fire celebrations, in the UK or worldwide. Read here about burning Clavies, Tar Barrels and longships.

Liuyang

Where do your fireworks come from? A page about the Chinese city which is the centre of fireworks production.

Organisations

involved in the sale and distribution of fireworks, and the staging and promotion of firework displays.

Copyright

A note about the copyright on text, graphics and photographs on this website.

Free Fireworks:

Sorry, not how to get free fireworks but why we don't give them.