Cannes International Fireworks Festival

From the red-hued mountains of the Estérel to the tip of the Croisette, the Bay of Cannes provides an exceptional natural setting for world-class events. Inspired by the beauty of its coastline and its international prestige, the City of Cannes first launched its International Fireworks Festival at the height of the 1967 summer season.

From its very first edition, the renowned Ruggieri company, widely regarded as masters of the art of fireworks, worked closely with the City of Cannes to create a true international competition. Each participating pyrotechnic team was invited to present a themed performance. A spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music, launched from barges anchored offshore and carefully synchronized to tell a chosen story.

For the first time, fireworks evolved beyond a simple succession of rockets and explosions to become a fully staged artistic performance. Captivating both residents and visitors alike, the event quickly established Cannes as a pioneer in the art of pyro-musical shows, a reputation it continues to uphold today.

Since 1998, the Cannes International Fireworks Festival has once again stood alongside the Montreal Festival as one of the world’s foremost celebrations of pyrotechnic artistry. Today, industry professionals, connoisseurs and spectators from across the globe gather in Cannes to witness increasingly innovative and technically dazzling performances.

Staged across a 500-metre seafront in the breathtaking Bay of Cannes, each display unfolds on a truly spectacular scale. The lights of the fireworks reflect across the Mediterranean, and combine with an immersive musical soundtrack.  The night sky transforms into a succession of mesmerizing scenes, where light, sound and storytelling merge into a captivating sensory experience.

Each year a rigorous selection process identifies just five or six of the world’s most accomplished pyrotechnic companies from a large number of international applicants. Invited to compete in Cannes, they vie for one of the most coveted distinctions in the world of fireworks.

International Fireworks Festival Programme

• 4 July at 10pm Serbia
• 14 July at 11pm Poland
• 22 July at 10pm China
• 4 August at 10pm France
• 15 August at 10pm Finland
• 24 August at 10pm Czech Republic (out of competition)

INSIDER TIP: On the nights the fireworks festival takes place, the Parking du Palais will be closed from 8pm. And make sure you get to the Croisette very early.