The Festival is one of only 3 city centre river displays permitted each year, so we work hard to ensure our display packs a massive pyro punch, sending over a ton of fireworks up in a spectacular display at 9.45pm on Sunday 11 September.

In 2011 we are again working with internationally acclaimed pyrotechnic experts Pains Fireworks, winners of the Montreal International Fireworks Competition 2007, which is considered within the industry to be the Olympics of the fireworks world.

The two barges are positioned mid-river between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges, so there's plenty of opportunity to find a space after watching the the magical illuminated Night Carnival procession on Victoria Embankment on the north bank of the river. You can also get a good view from Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges themselves.

Our 2010 firework display can be seen in all its glory in this youtube video, which was shot and edited by Rufai Ajala.

The history of Pains Fireworks has been rooted in London for over 400 years. Edmund Pain started gunpowder manufacture in Woolwich in 1593. From 1806 Pains Fireworks has been creating public displays in the capital and opened the first modern firework factory in Mitcham in Surrey in 1872.

Pains are proud to count the Thames Festival as one of the great London events that they have produced displays for over the last 200 years that have included coronations, jubilees and peace celebrations.

In that time there has been huge changes in the art and craft of pyrotechnics. No longer is the designer simply displaying the products produced in the company factories. With a world of individual firework types available to them, and digitally controlled firing systems the challenge to the 21^st century designer is to weave together threads of colour, form and movement with split second timing, into a dramatic tapestry of light and explosive force.

This display will be designed by Mike Jones who last year designed the displays for Battersea park and Blackheath on November the 5^th and is currently working on events to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the UAE.

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