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7 nights
The world’s best fireworks displays revealed
Light up the sky – discover the world's best fireworks displays.
We've rounded up some of the best fireworks displays across the globe. From Valencia and Malta to Walt Disney World and New York, here’s where you'll find much more than your average Catherine Wheel...
DUBAI
Combine the tallest building in the world with 1000’s of fireworks, and you've got a pretty spectacular show. Every year, on New Year’s Eve, the Burj Khalifa plays host to an immense fireworks display to welcome in the New Year. The show starts with synchronised fireworks shooting off the edge of the building, and ends in a dazzling display. The best place to watch is at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, where you’ll also be able to catch the famous Dubai Fountains dancing at midnight. Or, head to Palm Jumeirah to get a great view of the fireworks while joining hundreds of New Year's revellers at the beach parties. This place is well-known for its own fireworks festivities and currently holds the world record for the biggest display. In 2014, The Palm held an awe-inspiring show comprised of 479,000 fireworks shooting off at various parts of the island in just under six minutes.
VALENCIA, SPAIN
Las Fallas is Valencia’s famous four-day festival, held every year in March in commemoration of Saint Joseph. Last year, it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which means it’s seen as an important Spanish cultural event and definitely one to add to the bucket list. The one-of-a-kind festival involves cardboard puppets of Spanish politicians and celebrities being stuffed full of fireworks and burnt, and culminates in a huge fireworks display at the end of the long weekend. And, of course, there’s plenty of beer, sangria and street parties added to the mix. In 2018, the festival will run from the 15th to the 19th of March, so book your tickets now to avoid missing out.
MALTA
Malta might be a tiny island, but it packs a punch in the fireworks stakes. In April every year, the country celebrates joining the European Union with a huge five-day fireworks festival. And, rather than sticking with run-of-the-mill rockets, they turn the whole event into a competition and invite pyrotechnic companies from all over the world to put on the best display ever. So, as you can imagine, there are some pretty spectacular feats of light and sound that just have to be seen to be believed. Next year, the show will run from the 28th of April to the 2nd of May, starting in Marsaxlokk, carrying on in Valletta, and finishing with a spectacular finale in Bugibba, so don’t miss out. If you plan on staying in Malta’s capital Valletta, pick the Grand Hotel Excelsior as your base to enjoy its five-star facilities, private beach and the best seat in the house for the show.
NEW YORK, USA
Independence Day celebrations in the USA feature fireworks, and lots of them. You can catch displays pretty much all over the country, but one of the best and most famous is the Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular show in New York. This extravaganza of light and sound uses over 40,000 different types of fireworks – everything from catherine wheels to chrysanthemums – to create an exhilarating display that can be seen from almost all over the city. Plus, there are barbeques, beach parties on Coney Island and bars serving patriotic cocktail concoctions everywhere. Stay at the Riu Plaza New York Times Square or the boutique-style Sanctuary Hotel New York in central Manhattan to be right in the heart of the action.
WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA
A hefty dose of Disney magic is injected into the fireworks shows at Walt Disney World – and you can take your pick from different displays in the various parks, too. Epcot has its Illuminations show, which takes place over a huge lake in the centre of the park, and tells the story of Planet Earth, space and the future in fireworks film. Fantasmic! is Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ spectacle, which combines pyrotechnics, light projections and fabulous floats. And Wishes is the main Magic Kingdom Park show bringing to life all your favourite Disney movies through light projections, music and fireworks. There are even special holiday displays throughout the year to celebrate Independence Day, Halloween and Christmas, so you'll never be wanting for fireworks at Walt Disney World. Stay at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to be within reach of both Epcot and Magic Kingdom.
Ready to see some of the best fireworks in the world?
Browse our holidays to New York, Valencia, Malta, Walt Disney World and Dubai.
Or, read all about why you need to spend Christmas in New York.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Selina Akhtar
Last updated: 23.10.2017