BRITAIN’S biggest summer fireworks show has been postponed until April due to extreme wildfire risks.
Organisers said the decision came with “enormous disappointment” but it was not “worth risking people’s homesand livelihoods”.
The UK’s biggest firework show has been postponed after it was considered to be a serious wildfire risk Credit: Abingdon Fireworks
Abingdon International Fireworks Festival has been pushed back to April Credit: instagram/@xplosive_events
Safety concerns have forced organisers of the Abingdon International Fireworks Festival to postpone the event until April.
Concerns were raised about the threat of wildfires caused by the fireworks display, with over 1,000 recorded already throughout England and Wales this year.
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Welcoming over 10,000 annual visitors, the festival boasts a half-kilometre wide display with an immersive laser and light show that can be seen 30 miles away.
Organisers of the festival said in a statement: “It is with enormous disappointment that we confirm Abingdon International Fireworks Festival has been postponed until Saturday 10th April 2027.
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“No fireworks display, however spectacular, is worth risking people’s homes, livelihoods, our countryside or the safety of those who would have to respond if something went wrong.
“So rather than take that risk, we’re moving the festival to: Saturday, April 10 2027 – Easter holidays.”
Brits were strictly warned against lighting fireworks in a Severe Alert issued by the Government Credit: PA
This comes after millions of Brits received a phone alert on Friday evening, warning them of the “very high risk of wildfires nationally.”
In the alert, the Government warned people “not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks”.
Oxfordshire is part of the three-quarters of England facing drought conditions, with the Thames Valley Fire Control Service reporting a high number of 999 calls about outdoor fire risks.
Wildfire warnings did not stop Weymouth Town Council that decided to go ahead with its weekly fireworks show in Dorset yesterday, despite the region being under a “red wildfire alert”.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, however, chose to cancel its fireworks displays on both Bournemouth Beach and in Christchurch last weekend.
All existing tickets for the festival will remain valid for the rescheduled date, and those who are unable to attend in April 2027 can transfer to the Abingdon Funfair & Fireworks event on November 14 instead.
Ticket transfers, however, are not available for VIP tickets, and all tickets are non-refundable.
