Fireworks FAQ — Your Questions Answered

You must be 18 or over to buy F2 (garden) and F3 (display) fireworks. For F1 items like party poppers and indoor sparklers, you need to be 16 or over. This applies to both online and in-store purchases across the UK.

No. Members of the public don't need any licence or permit to buy or use F1, F2, or F3 fireworks. This includes both 1.4G and 1.3G classified fireworks. Just be 18+ and you're good to go.

Unlicensed retailers (supermarkets, general shops) can only sell fireworks during seasonal windows: 15 October to 10 November, 26 to 31 December, and the three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, licensed specialist retailers like Galactic Fireworks can sell all year round. We're open 12 months a year, so you can buy fireworks from us any time — whether it's Bonfire Night, a summer wedding, or a birthday in March.

Yes — we have three specialist firework shops in Dinnington, Retford, and Ripley. You can browse the full range in person, get hands-on advice from our team, and see the fireworks before you buy. Our staff have decades of experience and love helping customers plan the perfect display. Find your nearest shop.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and other standard online payment methods through our secure checkout. In-store, we accept card payments.

No — we only sell and deliver fireworks within Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). Due to shipping regulations and safety laws, we cannot send fireworks internationally or to Northern Ireland.

Yes. You can legally set off fireworks on your own private land (including your back garden) on any night of the year, as long as you respect curfew times. You cannot set off fireworks in public places like streets, parks, or beaches.

On most nights, fireworks must stop by 11pm. There are four exceptions:

Bonfire Night (5th November) — midnight
New Year's Eve — 1am
Diwali — 1am
Chinese New Year — 1am

Fireworks should not be set off before 7am on any day.

F2 fireworks are garden fireworks with a minimum safety distance of 8 metres. They're designed for smaller back garden displays.

F3 fireworks are display fireworks with a minimum safety distance of 25 metres. They produce bigger effects, louder bangs, and need more space. Both categories are available to the public without a licence — you just need to be 18+.

Browse our garden fireworks (F2) or explore our full range of F3 display fireworks.

This refers to the transport hazard classification, not the firework category. 1.4G fireworks contain less explosive content and are classed as a lower transport risk. 1.3G fireworks contain flash powder, which means louder bangs, brighter bursts, and a higher transport classification. Both are legal for the public to buy and use — 1.3G simply hits harder. Most serious display fireworks are 1.3G.

Yes — it is legal to set off fireworks any day of the year on private land, as long as you finish before 11pm (or later on Bonfire Night, NYE, Diwali, and Chinese New Year). The seasonal restrictions only apply to where you can buy them. Unlicensed sellers can only sell during set windows, but licensed retailers like Galactic Fireworks sell all year round.

Yes. It is illegal to set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in any public place — streets, parks, footpaths, beaches, or car parks. You can be fined up to £5,000 and face up to six months in prison. Fireworks should only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

Keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat sources, out of reach of children and pets. A cupboard, wardrobe, or spare room works well. Keep them in their original packaging and don't store them for more than 48 consecutive days at home without a storage licence. A garage is fine as long as it stays dry.

Never go back to a firework that didn't go off. Wait at least 30 minutes, then carefully place it in a bucket of water. Leave it submerged for at least 24 hours, then bag it up and put it in your household waste. Never attempt to relight a dud.

Yes — modern consumer fireworks are designed to work in light to moderate rain. The key is to keep them dry until you're ready to light. Store them undercover (a bin bag or tarp over the display area works), and only unwrap each firework when it's time to fire. Avoid leaving fuses exposed to heavy rain, as this can cause misfires.

The minimum distances are printed on each firework, but as a general guide: F2 garden fireworks require at least 8 metres, and F3 display fireworks require at least 25 metres. Always check the label on each individual firework — some may require more distance than the minimum for their category.

Keep pets indoors with windows and curtains closed. Turn on the TV or radio to mask the noise. Walk dogs earlier in the day, and make sure cats are brought inside before dark. If your pet is particularly anxious, speak to your vet about calming remedies. You might also consider our low-noise fireworks — they produce beautiful effects with much less bang.

Use a portfire (firing torch) — they stay lit in the wind and give you a safe arm's-length reach. Light the fuse at arm's length, never lean over the firework, and walk away briskly once lit. Don't use matches or household lighters — they require you to get too close. We include portfires with most display packs, or you can add them separately at checkout.

Wait until the next morning to clear up. Soak all used firework casings in a bucket of water overnight, then bag them up and put them in your general household waste. Never put used fireworks in a recycling bin. For any that didn't fire, follow the dud procedure — wait 30 minutes, soak for 24 hours, then dispose.

Yes — we deliver across the whole of mainland Great Britain using our own specialist drivers with live tracking. Free delivery on orders over £300. We offer saver, standard, and express delivery options depending on your timeline and the products ordered.

Fireworks are classified as hazardous goods under UK transport law. They can't be sent via Royal Mail, Hermes, DPD, or standard courier services. They must travel with an ADR-certified driver in a purpose-built vehicle. That specialist handling costs significantly more than a standard parcel delivery, which is why firework delivery charges are higher than you'd expect for a similarly-sized package.

Yes — you can choose click and collect at checkout and pick up from our Dinnington, Retford, or Ripley store. This saves on delivery costs and means you can chat with the team in person. We'll notify you by email when your order is ready to collect.

Due to the nature of the products, fireworks cannot be returned once delivered, for both safety and legal reasons. If you have any issues with your order — damaged packaging, missing items, or a product that didn't perform — contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Delivery times vary depending on the service you choose and your location. During peak season (October/November), demand is high and we recommend ordering early to secure your preferred date. Outside peak season, delivery is typically within a few working days. You'll receive tracking information once your order is dispatched.

Every firework we sell is UKCA marked and meets all UK safety standards. We're a fully licensed retailer — our premises are inspected rigorously by local authorities. We've been doing this since 1989, across three generations, and we only stock fireworks we'd happily use ourselves.

For smaller gardens, stick to F2 (category 2) fireworks — these only need an 8-metre safety distance. Fountains, small cakes, and selection boxes are all great options. We have a dedicated garden fireworks collection designed specifically for back garden displays. Avoid F3 fireworks if your garden is under 25 metres long.

Yes — we have a full low-noise fireworks collection. These produce stunning visual effects with minimal bang, making them ideal if you have pets, young children, or close neighbours. They focus on colours, crackles, and gentle effects rather than big thuds and bangs.

We have a dedicated wedding and party fireworks collection with everything from elegant, quiet fountains to full display packs. Popular choices include silver and gold effects, low-noise options for evening receptions, and selection boxes for a short, stunning finale. If you're not sure what to go for, our team can help you plan the right display for your venue and budget.

Gender reveal fireworks are specially designed to produce either blue or pink effects, used to announce the sex of a baby. We stock smoke bombs, fountains, and small cakes in both colours. Browse our gender reveal collection — it's one of our fastest-growing categories.

It depends on your budget and how long you want the display to last. As a rough guide: 3-5 cakes will give you a solid 5-10 minute garden display. A couple of fountains at the start, your cakes in the middle, and a few rockets at the end makes a great structure. If you want it easy, our pre-made bundle packs take the guesswork out of it — everything's included and often in a suggested firing order.

We always aim to be competitive, and we regularly check our pricing against other UK retailers. If you find the same product cheaper elsewhere from a licensed retailer, get in touch and we'll see what we can do. We also run seasonal offers, bulk discounts, and VIP deals throughout the year. Browse our cheap fireworks collection for quality products at reduced prices.

We stock 15 leading firework brands including Bright Star, Evolution, Cube, Primed Pyrotechnics, Brothers Pyrotechnics, Celtic, Pyroworx, Black Panther, Gemstone, Sky Crafter, Xtreme, Vulcan, Black Cat, Klasek — plus our own Galactic brand. With over 1,000 products to choose from, we carry one of the widest ranges of any UK firework retailer. Browse all brands.

For a home display, 10-20 minutes is the sweet spot — long enough to impress, short enough to keep everyone's attention. Professional-level displays for weddings or parties might run 5-15 minutes of continuous, dense effects. The key is pacing: start with something gentle, build through the middle, and end with your biggest piece as a finale.