The world's greatest firework displays
If this weekend’s Bonfire Night parties aren’t enough for you, Chris Leadbeater has more whizzes and bangs worldwide.
1. Alexandra Palace
Remember, remember, the fifth of November. Yeah, yeah… how can we forget? It comes around every year. Actually, scratch the fifth. Today is the fourth, and tickets are still available (from £11) for tonight’s second evening of the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival – one of London’s best whizz-bang bonanzas. fireworks.london
2. Down Under
There is, of course, more to fireworks events than Guy Fawkes and his wicked plan to make Britons stand in the cold in November. Sydney, you may have seen, does a New Year’s Eve display. Harbour cruises £375. sydneynewyearsevecruises.com.au
3. Eiffel Tower
Nothing says “anniversary of the day we broke open a prison, then started executing posh folk” quite like pyrotechnics behind a towering wrought-iron landmark. Bastille Day in Paris is literally a blast. July 14, 11pm – Champ de Mars. en.parisinfo.com
4. Valencia
Valencia lights a fuse every March 15-19 via Las Fallas – its yearly riot of bonfires and firecrackers in tribute to St Joseph. The mascleta is distinctly unusual – a barrage of percussive explosions every day at 2pm in the main square. visitvalencia.com
5. La Coruna
This north-westerly Spanish city turns pyromaniac each year on the night of June 23, setting giant piles of wood alight on its Riazor and Orzan beaches in a hot salute to St John. Summer bonfires? That’s quirky. hoguerassanjuan.com
6. Diwali
Hinduism’s remarkable festival of lights will take place on Nov 7 in 2018 – and fireworks are all part of the fun. On The Go Tours has an eight-day Diwali tour that will start in Delhi on Nov 3 next year. From £895 – flights extra. onthegotours.com
7. Japan 2020
Fireworks are as key to the Olympics (or the opening ceremony) as Russian athletes with unlikely personal bests. Japan Journeys is taking enquiries about breaks in Tokyo during the next Games. japanjourneys.co.uk/tokyo-2020-olympics
8. Yorkshire
Legend occasionally has it that Guy “Guido” Fawkes was Spanish. Utter nonsense. He was born in York in 1570 – reputedly at what is now, aptly enough, called the Guy Fawkes Inn. Four-star lodging; double rooms from £139. guyfawkesinnyork.com
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9. Hong Kong
Who invented fireworks? The Chinese. In the 17th century. Want to see them in their home setting? Wendy Wu Tours’s Chinese New Year 2018 trip will be in Hong Kong in time (Feb 16). From £2,390, without flights. wendywutours.co.uk
10. Way out east
Hong Kong too obvious? Chinese metropolis Harbin runs its Ice and Snow Festival every January and February. Fireworks? Lots. Explore is selling an 11-day jaunt that will set out for the city on Feb 7. From £2,875, with flights. explore.co.uk
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11. A silent July 4
It sounds strangely at odds with the din of the Trump era, but the celebrated Independence Day fireworks display over Mount Rushmore is, as of next year, no more. Go and enjoy the South Dakota scenery instead. nps.gov/moru
12. Singapore
It may be the planet’s 20th smallest country, but Singapore makes an enormous noise when its National Day – which takes place on Aug 9 – comes into play. Fireworks illuminate the heavens over the Gardens By The Bay. visitsingapore.com
13. Sussex ablaze
The town of Lewes has marked Bonfire Night with gusto almost since Fawkes was caught under Parliament with a guilty expression. This year’s event – tonight – will be as flamboyant as ever. lewesbonfirecelebrations.com
14. Hung, drawn, quartered
Want to see how the traitor met his maker? Or an actor squealing while he pretends to be tortured, anyway. You do? Right. OK. The London Dungeon has an area called “The Gunpowder Plot”. Tickets are available from £21. thedungeons.com
