22 Oct 2021 Travel Inspirations

Best Places Around the World to Watch Fireworks

The UK is gearing up to celebrate Guy Fawkes night on November 5th, but these shores aren’t the only place where you can enjoy a spectacular fireworks show. Countries celebrate with colourful displays all around the world, whether it’s on New Year’s eve or specific celebrations. But where can you find the most magical displays? We’ve got the answers with this guide to the best places around the world to watch fireworks. So light up the sparkler and read on. 🎇🧨🎆

Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦

Not only does Canada love a firework display, but it also has its own competition. Called  L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, the month-long contest is the longest in the world and features pyrotechnic companies shooting colourful rockets high into the sky, ready to make a bang. There’s also cakes, candles and music as the fireworks explode and create a fusion of colours. L’International des Feux Loto-Québec attracts around three million spectators every year, with the best vantage points found along the Saint Lawrence River.

Singapore 🇸🇬

National Day in Singapore happens every August 9th and celebrates the county’s independence from Malaysia. Singaporeans bring the festivities in with a fireworks celebration that marks the occasion – it’s widely regarded as one of the most impressive displays in the world. It’s also the longest-running annual fireworks show on the planet, lasting for several days.

Walt Disney, Orlando 🇺🇸

Join Mickey and friends at Walt Disney in the Magic Kingdom and catch a fireworks display that captures the imagination. Walt Disney World is famous for its nightly firework shows – the “Wishes Nighttime Spectacular” is a favourite with park visitors. Expect iconic Disney characters to join in with the celebrations, telling a story or two to the crowd in between the loud bangs. Head to Cinderella’s Castle and get a spot just outside the main gates for the best views.

London, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

England has some pretty impressive fireworks displays over the River Thames on New Year’s Eve. But it’s Guy Fawkes night on November 5th when Brits really let loose with the dynamite. London, in particular, is a great destination, especially if you head to the top of Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. From here, you can see sweeping views of the London skyline accompanied by an array of colours darting about in the sky as various fireworks go off. Remember, remember the 5th of November, indeed.

Reykjavik, Iceland 🇮🇸

Iceland’s capital sure does know how to bring in the New Year. Even more impressive is the fact that it’s a community effort, with everyone buying their own fireworks from ICE-SAR, the national search-and-rescue unit. It’s essentially a fundraising project with a magical show when the clock strikes 12. The sky explodes into hundreds of mini firework displays, lighting up the city in the process. The fire engines and docked ships also ring their bells to welcome the New Year and add to the excitement.

Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺

Perhaps the most recognised fireworks display on the planet, Sydney is the place to be on New Year’s eve. The Sydney Harbour sets the sky alight as 1.5 million people watch on in awe. It’s so popular that the queue starts early in the morning of December 31st. Celebrations tend to kick off around 6 pm, and some punters are happy to pay thousands to secure a ticket from vantage points that give them the best views.

Malta, 🇲🇹

One of the smaller countries on this list, Malta knows how to make some noise when it comes to fireworks. Every year around the last week of April, the tiny island celebrates Malta International Fireworks with different Maltese fireworks companies providing the ammunition to make sure everything goes off with a bang.

Hong Kong 🇭🇰

The Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated events in the world, and you can always count on a spectacular fireworks display to top off the celebrations. The Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong is the place to be, with a fireworks show taking place here every year since 1982. There are plenty of good areas around the harbour where you can get top-notch views and bring in the Chinese New Year in style.

New York, 🇺🇸

Times Square is a legendary spot for New Year’s eve in New York. And once the bell hits midnight, you can expect a lavish fireworks display that sets the mood in the city. If you don’t fancy the large crowds, book a spot at one of the nearby hotels that offer first-hand views of the fireworks. Just make sure you reserve early, as rooms start filling up midway through the year.

Best places in the world for fireworks

There’s nothing quite like a fireworks display to bring in the celebrations. The spots on our list allow you to enjoy colourful skies and good times all-round, whether you’re celebrating the new year in Sydney, remembering the 5th November in London, or participating in a fireworks competition in Montreal.