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The Merlin Entertainments London Eye will light up the South Bank tonight (9 March) with an extravagant fireworks show to celebrate its tenth birthday.

From 7pm, visitors will enjoy an impressive light show, with those booking a flight receiving a free glass of Pommery champagne.

“Everyone at the London Eye is thrilled to be celebrating this important landmark with our visitors, who have been so important along the way, and we can’t wait to see it all come to life on the day,” said David Sharpe, managing director of the London Eye and divisional director of London Midway Attractions.

The Merlin Entertainments London Eye has welcomed more than 36 million visitors over the past nine years.

Its the mad time of year again for the residents of Spains most pyro-hungry city.

Valencia comes to life every year at this time in March for one of the grandest and loudest fireworks displays and festivals in Europe. Las Fallas.

Most famous for the daily Mascleta which happens every day for the next couple of weeks at 2pm. A series of ever louder reports shakes the cities walls and gives warmth to the heart of every pyro-maniac there, and there will be a whole lot there with visitors travelling from around the world to see (and hear) one of Spains most exciting attractions.

Want to learn more about the experience of Las Fallas? just click the link.

Want to learn about the dates for this years events? read on.

MARCH 8th (Monday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MARCH 9th (Tuesday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MARCH 10th (Wednesday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MARCH 11th (Thursday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MARCH 12th (Friday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MARCH 13th (Saturday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
10.30 p.m .“International Folk Parade” around the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento” Followed by Night Mascletà in Town Hall Square.

MARCH 14th (Sunday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
6.00 pm Closing ceremony for CHILDREN’S NINOT EXHIBITION

MARCH 15th (Monday)
08.00 am Setting up of all “FALLAS INFANTILES”
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
6.00 pm Closing ceremony for “NINOT EXHIBITION”
00.00 am Setting up of all “FALLAS”
01.30 am Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge).

MARCH 16th (Tuesday)
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
4.30 pm From the stage outside Town Hall, Awards Ceremony for Children’s “Fallas”.
01.30 am Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge).

MARCH 17th (Wednesday)
09.30 am From outside Town Hall, Awards Ceremony for “Fallas” in all participating sections.
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
4.00 pm First day of the Flower offering to Virgen de los Desamparados, along Paz street and San Vicente street.  Falleros march towards the Plaza de la Virgen.
01.00 am Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge).

MARCH 18th (Thursday)
11.00 am Homage to the poet Maximilano Thous , at the monument in his honour located at crossroads of Sagunto street and Maximilano Thous street.
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento
4.00 pm Second day of the Flower offering to Virgen de los Desamparados, along Paz street and San Vicente street.  Falleros march towards the Plaza de la Virgen.
2.00 am Nit de Foc, the most important fireworks display in The Fallas Festival on the “Paseo de la Alameda” (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge)

MARCH 19th (Friday)
11.00 am On the “Puente de San José” flower offering made by the “Fallas” Queens a their Courts of Honour in front of the statue of the Patriarch.
12.00 pm Mass in honour of the Patriarch St. Joseph, in the Cathedral Church, attended by the “Fallas” Queens of Valencia and their Courts of Honour.
2.00 pm Mascletà, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
7.00 pm Cabalgata del Fuego along Colon Street with a spectacular firework show in Porta de la Mar Square.
At 10.00 pm Burning of the Children’s Fallas.
At 10.30 pm Burning of the Children’s Fallas.
At 11.00 pm Burning of the Children’s Fallas in the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento”.

MARCH 20th (Saturday)
Midnight -  Burning all the remaining adults Fallas in Valencia.
00.30 am Cremà or burning of the adult “Falla” having obtained First Prize among the fallas of the Special Section.
At 01.00 am Fireworks in the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento” and burning of the “Falla”.

Video of a mascleta from saturday 6th March 2010. Just another day in Valencia.

Send us your videos, photos and experiences of Las Fallas in Valencia and we will feature them right here on the worlds biggest fireworks blog!!

Taipei Lantern Festival 2010 Sunday night closed with firework show, bringing 6 million visitors together during the 10-day session.

In the closing ceremony, fireworks lightened up the sky of Taipei, combining with water dance, laser lighting effect and floral fragrance to create a visual and acoustic feast.

The main lantern this year is “Tiger Hoki,” modeling the yearly Chinese animal sign, which means “fortunate Tiger” that would bring good fortune to this country.

In response to citizens’ wish to extend the installation of Tiger Hoki, Huang Lu Ching-ju, Commissioner of Department of Civil Affairs under Taipei City Government (TCG) said the main lantern would be relocated to the lawn area in front of Zih Ciang owing to high maintain costs.

The Lantern Festival, falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, was widely celebrated in Taiwan from north to south, with different styles, such as the release of sky lantern in Pingsi, Taipei County, beehive firecrackers in Yanshui in Tainan County and Bombing Handan in Taitung.

Close up views of the fireworks from ground zero at the Olympic opening ceremony in vancouver. Check out the stylie water feature, very clever. And the fireworks aren’t bad either. The water works start a few minutes in.

Every year for two weeks in springtime the city of Washington DC comes alive with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The American capital has 3 weekends of activities planned around this festival and of course there are fireworks!

The Festival celebrates the coming of springtime in the city but also celebrates the receiving of the cherry blossom trees as a gift from Japan in 1912 and a reminder of the friendship between the 2 countries.

From March 27^th to April 11^th the festivities take place, starting with the family day on March 27^th to open the fun. Throughout the 2 weeks there will be a gala dinner cruise, cultural performances, Japanese street festival, a parade and much, much more.

This year the predicted peak bloom period will be between April 3^rd and April 8^th, handily, this gives you enough time to enjoy the blossom after the real main event. The Fireworks!

The fireworks display will be on the 3^rd of April and takes place on he Southwest waterfront. The 4^th of April has a lantern lighting ceremony to light the sky in a much quieter style.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates, produces, and supports creative and diverse activities promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and the environment, and community spirit and youth education.

For more info on the festival click here.

While the 4th of July for most Americans means a family BBQ and maybe a trip to the nearest city center for the evening fireworks display, some cities around the country make such a special effort on Independence Day that it’s worth a special trip to be a part of the festivities.

If you’re lucky enough to live near one of these big parties, that’s great for you – but if you live in a different part of the country that doesn’t mean you’re stuck reading about them in the paper the next day.

The 4th of July may not be the first holiday that comes to mind when you think about flying off somewhere for a vacation, but you don’t have to be a pyromaniac to use a killer fireworks display as the reason to take a trip. Especially since most of the places listed below are well worth a visit anyway.

Here are the best places to go for 4th of July fireworks and celebrations.

Washington D.C.

There’s nothing to compare with being in the nation’s capital on the nation’s birthday. The annual celebration, called “A Capitol Fourth,” includes a huge parade down Constitution Avenue and a free evening concert on the Capitol Building’s West Lawn. And the fireworks that night? They’re over the Washington Monument. Yeah, this one’s tough to beat for national pride.

Boston

Boston doesn’t limit its July 4th party to one day – in fact, the holiday gives Bostonians the ideal excuse for a week-long party (and you’re welcome to join in!). Some of the things going on in Boston around Independence Day aren’t just for the 4th of July, but they make it easy to continue your celebrations non-stop. Among the festivities running through July 4th are Boston Harborfest, Boston Chowderfest, and a free concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra. The concert and fireworks are centered along the Charles River, and people spend the day – so get there early if you want to secure a good spot. Oh, and for the particularly patriotic among you, don’t miss the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House.

New York City

As a short person, I’ll be the first to admit that bigger isn’t always better – but that’s not true when it comes to fireworks. New York City claims the country’s biggest fireworks display for the 4th of July, and although the city doesn’t have a huge list of Independence Day-specific events, you don’t need me to tell you there’s plenty more to do in NYC than just stare at fireworks. One holiday event worth noting (as much for its gross-out factor as for its Americana factor) is the annual hot dog eating contet Nathan’s Famous holds out on Coney Island.

Philadelphia

It’s no surprise that the city where the Declaration of Independence was written is a great place to celebrate the 4th of July – and a few days in Philadelphia will let you check off plenty of the sites important to America’s history. The many historic monuments and buildings in Independence Mall have extended hours for the holiday, but you can still expect crowds, so get there early. Events on July 4th include a free concert at Penn’s Landing and the fireworks display over the Delaware River.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore may not be the first place you think of when you’re planning a July 4th trip, but this National Memorial site has an incredible fireworks display that’s worth making an effort to see for two reasons. First, because of its more remote location the night sky is even darker, making the fireworks themselves more spectacular. And second, because the fireworks illuminate the carved faces of four iconic American presidents. Do note that depending on what day July 4th falls on, the fireworks display may not be on the actual holiday, so check with the Parks Service for more information.

San Diego

While it’s true that the majority of the best places to go for the 4th of July are on the eastern seaboard, the west coast isn’t entirely left out. San Diego boasts one of the top celebrations in California with the “Big Bay Boom” – it’s a fireworks display shot off from barges on San Diego Bay. And if you’re in town for a few days before Independence Day, don’t miss one of the city’s “Star Spangled Pops” concerts.

New Orleans

What does the city of New Orleans have to do with Independence Day? Only that this is a city that will take advantage of any excuse for a party, and do it up right. July 4th events in New Orleans include music throughout the French Quarter and along the river (but this is hardly unusual), and what’s known as the “Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza” at night. It’s a competition of sorts, but it’s a friendly one – and spectators are the true beneficiaries.

Chicago

Another city that always seems ready to celebrate something is Chicago, and the 4th of July is no exception. The party starts early with the city’s annual “Taste of Chicago” in Grant Park where you can get an idea of why Chicagoans are so proud of their hometown cuisine. The event runs for 10 days, ending on July 4th, and also includes musical concerts. For Chicago’s fireworks, you have a couple choices of where to go. You can head for Monroe Harbor to watch the Lake Michigan display (accompanied by the Army Band), or go to Navy Pier instead.

Two Guinness world records for the biggest fireworks display and the longest barbecue grill is the ambitious aim of Cebu City when the city government launches its 300-hectare reclamation project in May.

If this happens, it would be a perfect backdrop for the launch of the South Road Properties (SRP), said Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

He said pyrotechnics manufacturer Bryan Lim of Pyro Works sought permission from him to hold a fireworks display aimed at setting a world record.

About 110,000 fireworks will be set off in less than a minute, Osmeña said.

“And he wants to do it at the SRP. He asked for my support and I said wow, that’s a great opportunity to launch the SRP,” the mayor said.

Osmeña said city officials plan to hold the launching in May before the elections.

“All kinds of events are happening at the SRP, including breaking the record for having the longest barbecue… again. It sounds like fun, di ba? From here to there (from the starting point of the SRP up to the end of it.). That’s going to be longer.” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any problems getting sponsors. But the city will spend also because the SRP is our project. We are just riding on it (the fireworks event),” he added.

Instead of a campaign miting de avance, the mayor said the launch would be the administration party’s way of thanking their supporters.

A concert is also planned.

“So we’ll just treat them. Ever since the first election, our miting de avance is just a party. We can even combine it with that (fireworks display and longest barbecue)…Why not? That sounds like a lot of fun,” Osmeña said. Click here for the original article.

The Yenshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is a popular event in the town of Yenshui, Taiwan.

The festival dates back to the late 1800s when the area was blighted by a severe epidemic of cholera, the traditional customs of the time stated that the best way to prevent the cholera outbreak, and protect the villagers, was to parade the streets with a statue of legendary folk hero Kuanyu raised on a palanquin (what’s a palanquin, I hear you ask, well “a passenger conveyance, usually for one person, consisting of a covered or boxlike litter carried by means of poles resting on the shoulders of several men.” of course, duh), setting off firecrackers and warding off the evil spirits responsible for spreading the disease. Kuanyu was a heroic figure in Chinese history from the 3rd century who has through the years become something of a saint to some of the peoples there.

Nowadays, the memory of this festival is kept alive with parades through the streets by a hundred martial arts teams and of course the obligatory thousands of fireworks. The festival has grown from a local tradition into a great tourist attraction bringing in visitors from around the world to see the famed palanquin (remember the description above?) and the statue of Kuanyu. Oh yeah, and the fireworks aren’t bad either. The fireworks are certainly still the highlight of the show however they are being closely followed by a spectacular lantern festival which sees the sky full and illuminated by the sight of the beautiful flying lanterns in the air, this is made even more special by the ignition of specially made stacks of fireworks in the shapes of chariots, golden ingots and giant teapots, all culturally significant items.

It is recommended that visitors see the exhibitions featuring sculpture, teapot designs and performing arts by local artists being held in the neighbourhood of the Kuanyu Temple while appreciating the fun of folk customs. And don’t forget the fireworks!!

Superb fireworks captured on film at the Mall of Asia. The Chinese team show off their prowess.

Preparations are underway for one of the most exciting fireworks events in the UK, the British Musical Fireworks Championships 2010.

SOME of the countries leading fireworks display experts have visited the town of Southport ahead of one of the most sensation events on the pyro calendar.

The competitors for 2010 includes Flashpoint Fireworks (who return to defend their 2009 title), Pendragon Fireworks, Anytime Fireworks, Pyro 2000, Pyrotex Fireworx, Ashdown Fireworks and Fantastic Fireworks (the 2008 champions).

The seven competitors have met the judges and brushed up on the rules and regulations of the competition. The judges will be as keen as ever and the rules must be strictly adhered to (bribes will not be accepted). There was also a tour of the firing site so the crews could begin making designs and planning for their displays in six months’ time.

To be staged at Kings Gardens between the 1^st and 3^rd October, the annual championships are being held in Southport for the 12th time. Many thousands of spectators are expected to attend the event which illuminates the skies of Southport at the start of October, just in time to whet our appetites for Guy Fawkes Night.

Sarah Carter, the events organiser for Sefton Council said: “Preparations are well under way for this year’s championships so we like to get the competitors in the resort as early as possible to ensure that they have the best opportunity to wow the crowds.

“There are a lot of things to consider when designing large fireworks displays and with Southport being one of the most prestigious events in the country everyone wants to make sure they are on top of their game.”

”Tickets are on sale now and can be bought at The Tourist Information Centre in Southport, Southport Arts Centre or by visiting www.visitsouthport.com. Advance tickets cost £4 on Friday/Sunday and £6 for Saturday. Priority tickets are also available priced at £15 for Friday/Sunday and £20 for Saturday.