Guide to fireworks events in Cambridgeshire 2021

Many fireworks events have been cancelled due to concerns over the rising Covid-19 cases, but there are still some firework displays being laid on across the region.

Here’s our guide to those going ahead and those that have been cancelled. But don’t forget that some events could change at late notice, so it is always worth checking with organisers before going along.

WHOOSH!

After a two-year break, the electronic music and fireworks party Whoosh! will be back with a bang on Saturday, November 6.

It promises the “biggest breakbeat genre line-up that Cambridge has ever seen in one evening”, along with fire performers and a fireworks display.

Cambridge-based events company Sync Inspire CIC has teamed up with Finger Lickin’ to present ‘Back to Beats @ Whoosh!’.

Music will be across three indoor and outdoor (heated) areas, including disco, house and drum & bass from the Whoosh! resident DJs: MissChivers, JD, Cam James, D:Rosen, Steve Prime, Chief Koala, Ozone Breakdown, Mr Fella, Loop Manoeuvres, Basschimp, DJ Reset, Le Grande Fromage, MC Linden D, Bongo Ted, Dan Bolton, Lucid and Peppz, DJ Xylo, Triple G, Gino D, The Plump DJs, Krafty Kuts, The Freestylers and A Skillz.

• When: Saturday, November 6 – 7pm to 3am.
• Where: The Missing Sock, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, with amazing fire performers and a fireworks display.
• Tickets: £30 plus booking fee. Visit whooshevents.info.

Huntingdon

After enjoying the fun fair, refreshments and food, visitors can experience a musical light show at 6.30pm before the main event from 7.30pm: a 20-minute fireworks display fully choreographed to music. It will take place at Huntingdon Racecourse. For the disabled parking and viewing area, please display your blue badge on arrival.

• When: Friday, October 29.
• Where: Huntingdon Racecourse.
• Tickets: Free to £32.83. Under 5s-free with paying adult. Visit: thejockeyclub.co.uk/huntingdon/events-tickets/fireworks/.

Hemingford

A spectacular show is planned by Cambridge Fireworks, winner of the Fireworks Championship held at Eastnor Castle and Ragley Hall. There will be a bonfire, stalls, traditional fairground rides and food and drink, in addition to the fireworks.

• When: Saturday, November 6 – gates open at 5pm, bonfire at 5.30pm, fireworks display at 6.30pm.
• Where: The Big Field site, London Road, St Ives, PE27 5ER.
• Tickets: £8. Visit: fireworksinhemingford.uk.

Kimbolton Castle

This promises to be a very impressive show, thanks to the famous Titanium Fireworks. If you’ve sat up watching the clock tick until midnight on Big Ben, then you’ve seen the company’s London skyline display.

A live music stage, sponsored by Beacon Wealth group, will feature entertainment before and after the display. The food concourse will have 20 food and beverage outlets and the licensed bar will serve mulled wine, alcoholic and soft drinks.

There will also be a chance for a spin round at the fairground and a dance to the tunes of The Alice Band. You can take in the setting of Kimbolton Castle before watching the choreographed fireworks display.

Daryl Fleming, from Titanium Fireworks, said: “Titanium Fireworks are thrilled to be delivering this year’s annual fireworks display for the Kimbolton Castle event.

“After a very challenging time for so many, we are looking forward to putting some sparkle back into our lives with a spectacular pyro-musical. We cannot wait to be in the castle grounds to deliver one of the biggest displays in the region.”

• When: Friday, November 5 – 5.45pm-late.
• Where: Kimbolton Castle.
• Tickets: £14 advance for adults – children go free. Visit https://bit.ly/3jwZ1qH.

STEMtots Fireworks

Fireworks are all about colour and bangs and so is this STEMtots session. Launch your own straw rocket, make colourful ‘fireworks’ in a jar and create a vibrant fireworks picture to take home. The STEMtots sessions are aimed at children from two to five years with each session run by experienced science communicators. Run twice a month, each session is based around simple, hands-on activities which are aimed at getting children involved and excited, through a combination of play and sensory activities, and using familiar everyday items.

• When: Friday, November 5 – 9.30am-10.45am.
• Where: Cambridge Science Centre, 44 Clifton Road, CB1 7ED.
• Tickets: Free-£5.98. Visit: eventbrite.co.uk/e/stemtots-fireworks-tickets-169080284683.

Extinguished... the displays called off this year

The pandemic has extinguished plans for many fireworks displays, including these:

Midsummer Common, Cambridge

Cambridge City Council cancelled the traditional Midsummer Common display, which can attract 25,000 people, following the publication of the government’s Winter Plan. It said it could not proceed due to the possibility that vaccine passports could be required at short notice for large outdoor events.

Cambourne

Cambourne also cancelled its planned event.

A spokesperson for the fireworks committee said: “It is with great sadness that this year the Cambourne Fireworks Committee has had to take the tough decision to cancel the Annual Fireworks Display this November.

“We would have loved nothing more than to put on our usual big, fun family event that helps bring the community together for a great evening, especially after the last 18 months of lockdowns and restrictions.

“We’ve left it till the last possible minute to see if we could try to make it work but sadly it just doesn’t seem possible.

“Anyone that’s attended the fireworks over the last 10 years will appreciate how close proximity you are to others in the crowd and how congested circa 10,000 people at an event can get.

“With Covid rates rising in the South Cambs/Cambourne area and news reports of at least some restrictions being reintroduced we feel we’d struggle to hold the event successfully.

“We also didn’t want to host an event that led to spreading Covid and if someone got seriously ill or worse for the sake of a fireworks display we’d feel awful. We’ve organised the event for 10 years and hope there will be many more.”

Cherry Hill, Ely

Michale Judkins, one of the organisers, said the cancellation “was a result of continuing concerns in relation to Covid-19 and the prospect of the reintroduction of more restrictive measures”.

Histon and Impington

The villages’ display on Impington Village College field has also been cancelled amid concerns over safety and viability.

Read more:

Cambridge Bonfire Night 2021 celebrations cancelled due to government’s winter plan

Ely Christmas lights switch-on event cancelled