Cakes & Barrages

Firework Cakes and Barrages — Single Ignition, Multiple Shots

Firework cakes are the backbone of most consumer firework displays. Light one fuse and the cake fires a sequence of shots automatically — anywhere from 9 to over 200 individual bursts depending on the size. No relighting, no manual timing, just one ignition and the piece runs its full sequence. This makes cakes and barrage fireworks the easiest way to build an impressive display with minimal setup.

The range here covers everything from compact 9-shot cakes under £10 right through to heavyweight barrages and multi-row fan cakes costing several hundred pounds. Fan cakes angle their tubes outwards to spread effects across a wider area of sky, while straight-firing cakes send shots directly upwards for concentrated height. Both have their place in a well-planned display.

Brands include Brothers Pyrotechnics (known for award-winning colour and creative effects), Primed Pyrotechnics (casino-themed range with bold effects), Bright Star (broad range at accessible prices), Celtic Fireworks and many more. For an even bigger single ignition experience, see our compound fireworks — compounds combine multiple cakes into one continuous display from a single fuse.

If you are building a full show, consider our complete display kits which include cakes alongside rockets, fountains and finales with a suggested firing order. Orders over £300 qualify for free delivery.

Want cakes and barrages at the lowest possible prices? Our cheap fireworks collection has dozens of discounted cakes starting from £4.99 — all at least half price off RRP. Cakes and barrages are the backbone of any good Bonfire Night display.

What is a firework cake?

A firework cake (also called a barrage) is a multi-shot firework with a single fuse. Light it once and the internal fusing fires each tube in sequence automatically. Cakes range from small 9-shot pieces to large 200+ shot barrages with runtimes of several minutes.

What is the difference between a cake and a barrage?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, barrage fireworks tend to fire shots in rapid succession, while a cake may have more varied timing including slow and fast phases. In practice, most retailers (including us) use both terms to describe single ignition multi-shot fireworks.

What is a fan cake?

A fan cake has tubes angled outwards in a fan shape rather than all pointing straight up. This spreads the effects across a wider area of sky, creating a broader visual display. Fan cakes are popular for their impressive spread, especially in larger gardens or open spaces.

What is the difference between a cake and a compound?

A cake fires a sequence of shots from one section of tubes. A compound combines multiple sections (often several cakes' worth) into a single unit with internal fusing that transitions between sections. Compounds are typically larger, longer-running and more expensive than individual cakes.

Are firework cakes suitable for gardens?

Many cakes are suitable for gardens, but the range includes a mix of F2-rated (8-metre safety distance) and F3-rated (25-metre safety distance) products. Smaller cakes tend to be F2, while larger barrages are often F3. Always check the category label on each cake — the safety distance is printed on the product and determines how much space you need.

Do firework cakes come with free delivery?

Orders over £300 qualify for free delivery to mainland UK. Smaller orders carry a flat delivery charge. Check our delivery page for full details.