Fireworks

Fireworks are special pyrotechnic devices that create beautiful lights, sounds, and floating materials like confetti for entertainment. They are often used in large outdoor shows during cultural and religious celebrations around the world. These colorful displays can light up the night sky with red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver sparks and flames.

Fireworks come in many forms, either sitting on the ground or shot high into the air. Some have their own propulsion, like skyrockets, while others are launched from mortars. Most contain paper or pasteboard tubes filled with combustible materials that create sparkling shapes when lit.

Although fireworks were first invented in China, they are now used all over the world. China remains the largest maker and exporter of fireworks today. While they bring joy to many events, it’s important to remember that fireworks must be handled carefully to avoid accidents.

History

Further information: History of gunpowder and Four Great Inventions

Fireworks began in China during the Song dynasty between 960 and 1279. People used them during festivals and important events. Early fireworks were simple, like burning bamboo stems that made loud noises. Later, people added gunpowder to small containers to create louder sounds, called firecrackers.

By the time of the Song dynasty, people made firecrackers from paper tubes filled with gunpowder and a fuse. They also created early rockets, which could fly through the air. Fireworks spread to other parts of the world over time. In Europe, they became popular by the 17th century. Today, fireworks are used in many celebrations around the globe.

Pyrotechnic compounds

Main article: Pyrotechnic composition

Fireworks use special mixtures called pyrotechnic stars to create beautiful colors. These stars have four main ingredients: a fuel, an oxidizer that helps the fuel burn, color-producing salts, and a binder to hold everything together. The colors come from different chemicals, and each one burns to make a bright, specific color, just like in a flame test.

Some of the brightest stars in fireworks are made using aluminium. Sparks from fireworks usually glow red, orange, yellow, gold, white, or silver because of the way hot solid particles shine. Many chemicals in fireworks are safe, but some can be harmful if touched, inhaled, or eaten.

Types

See also: Consumer fireworks § Examples

Aerial fireworks

Aerial shell

See also: § Public display visual effects

An aerial fireworks shell is a device that contains special materials and is shot upwards by a mortar, exploding high in the sky. These shells are often used in big public shows.

Airbomb

Main article: Airbomb

Cake

Main article: Cake (firework)

A cake is a group of tubes linked together that fires many effects in the sky. These tubes can be small or large, and a single cake can have many shots. The effects inside cakes often have fun, creative names.

Fountain

• Catherine wheel
• Gerb
• Iron flower
• Saxon
• Tezutsu-hanabi
• Tubri

Mine

A mine is a firework that sends out bright lights or other effects into the sky. It is shot from a mortar and can create small bursts or stars.

Rocket

Main article: Rocket (firework)

• Skyrocket

Roman candle

Main article: Roman candle (firework)

A Roman candle is a long tube that shoots out bright lights at regular times. These are often arranged in fun shapes.

Ground fireworks

Bang snap

Main article: Bang snaps

Cannon

• Bamboo cannon
• Big-Bang Cannon
• Rock cannon

Firecracker

Main article: Firecracker

• Cherry bomb
• Chocolate bomb
• Judas's belt
• M-80
• M-100
• Piccolo
• Quarter stick
• Super Yolanda
• Sutli bomb

Sparkler

Main article: Sparkler

• Senko hanabi
• Watusi

Spinner

Public display visual effects

Fireworks displays use many different visual effects to create beautiful patterns in the sky. One common effect is the peony, which is a round burst of small colored stars that shine without leaving a tail. Another is the dahlia, similar to a peony but with fewer, larger stars that travel farther from the burst.

Other popular effects include the chrysanthemum, where stars leave a trail of sparks, and the willow, which has long-burning silver or gold stars creating a soft, dome-shaped effect. There are also effects like the crossette, where stars break into smaller pieces forming a crisscross pattern, and the fish, where stars shoot rapidly away from the burst like fish swimming. These effects make fireworks shows colorful and exciting to watch.

Main article: Salute (pyrotechnics)

Audio effects

Fireworks can create many exciting sounds. One common sound is a bang, which resembles a cannon firing and is the most frequent effect in fireworks. Another sound is a crackle, which is an intermittent popping or clicking noise.

There are also special sounds like the hummer, which sounds like a short celebratory yell made by tiny spinning tubes, and the whistle, a high-pitched, loud screeching sound created by the rapid vibration of air from burning fuel.

Safety and environmental impact

Improper use of fireworks can be dangerous, causing burns and injuries. Many places have laws to prevent accidents, allowing only professionals to handle big displays.

Fireworks can also scare animals, pollute the air, and create loud noises that bother some people. Studies show that fireworks can frighten birds and dogs, and the smoke they produce can harm people with breathing problems. Some air pollution from fireworks lasts for hours after a show. Noise from fireworks can also be harmful, especially to those with hearing issues or certain health conditions.

Government regulations

Fireworks rules differ around the world. In many places, like most Australian states, fireworks are only allowed for licensed shows. Some areas, such as Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory, permit consumers to use fireworks with permits on certain dates.

In Canada, special licenses are needed for setting off large fireworks shows. People must complete safety courses to operate these displays. Other countries have their own rules too—for example, in Finland young people under 18 can’t buy fireworks, and in the Netherlands sales are only allowed a few days before New Year’s.

Fireworks celebrations

In Australia, fireworks displays are popular during public holidays like New Year's Eve and Australia Day. The famous Sydney New Year's Eve Midnight Fireworks draws crowds every year. In the Northern Territory, "Cracker Night" on Territory Day lets people enjoy fireworks freely.

Canada sees fireworks as a key part of Halloween celebrations, especially in Vancouver. In Catalonia, fireworks are central to festivals, with special events like the Correfoc, where crews of devils dance through streets with sparkling devices. France lights up skies on the eve of Bastille Day, with Paris showcasing displays near the Eiffel Tower. Japan holds many fireworks festivals in summer, with the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival being one of the oldest, starting in 1733. These festivals bring families together to enjoy food, games, and stunning fireworks shows.

Uses other than public displays

Main article: Consumer fireworks

People often buy small fireworks for their own celebrations, like birthdays or holidays. These are usually less powerful than the ones used in big public shows and include items such as firecrackers, rockets, and smoke balls. Fireworks can also help scare away birds on farms. However, they have sometimes been misused in pranks or by protesters.

Culture

Fireworks competitions are popular in many countries. Some famous ones include the Montreal Fireworks Festival in Canada, Le Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique in Côte d'Azur, France, and the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in the Philippines. These events bring together top fireworks companies to create amazing shows.

In the United States, enthusiasts have formed clubs where hobbyists and professionals learn safety and organize private shows. These clubs sometimes hold competitions among their members, showing off everything from simple fireworks to big displays set to music. The Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. (PGI) hosts large conventions with some of the biggest fireworks shows in the country.

Firework sales

Firework sales in the United States have grown a lot, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, people spent about $1 billion on fireworks for fun. But in 2020, that number almost doubled to $2.3 billion! Even though big shows and events used about $400 million worth of fireworks, most of the money came from people buying them for their own use. Experts think these sales will keep growing and could reach $3.3 billion by 2028.