2026 has brought some seriously impressive firework cakes, barrages and compounds to the UK market. If you are planning a big Bonfire Night display, Diwali celebration, New Year’s Eve party, wedding or birthday, there are plenty of new options offering huge shot counts, longer durations and varied firing patterns.
This year’s selection includes some heavyweight releases from Vivid Fireworks, Pyroworx and Riakeo. At the top end, there are compounds with hundreds of shots that can provide an entire display from one ignition. There are also hard-hitting barrages and multi-firework packs for people who prefer to build their own display.
We’ve picked 10 of the most exciting options available from Showtime Fireworks. Here’s what each one offers and which type of celebration it could suit.
What Makes a Great Firework Cake or Barrage in 2026?
Shot count is useful, but it does not tell the whole story. A 100-shot firework using large tubes can produce a very different performance from a 300-shot compound built around smaller, faster-firing effects.
When comparing the best firework cakes and barrages, look at:
- Number of shots
- Tube sizes
- Display duration
- NEC or powder weight
- Straight, fan, V, Z and mixed firing patterns
- Colour and effect variety
- Noise level
- Required safety distance
- Whether it is a single barrage, compound or multi-barrage pack
The right choice depends on whether you need a complete display, a centrepiece or a powerful finale.
1. Sky Vandal XL, 632 Shots by Vivid Fireworks
A Five-Minute Display From One Firework
Sky Vandal XL by Vivid Fireworks sits at the top of our list with an enormous 632 shots and approximately five minutes of firing time.
Using 20mm tubes and around 4kg of powder, this one-light compound is built around duration and variety. The display moves through colourful aerial bursts, brocades, palms, strobes, crackling sections and faster sequences as the performance develops.
The biggest attraction is simple: Sky Vandal XL can provide a substantial display without having to light a long sequence of separate fireworks.
Key features:
- 632 shots
- Approximately 300 seconds
- 20mm tubes
- Mixed firing pattern
- 10/10 noise rating
- 25 metre safety distance
£699.99 £449.99
2. Master Class, 300 Shots by Pyroworx Fireworks
300 Shots With Wide Sky Coverage
Master Class by Pyroworx combines 300 shots with 25mm tubes and around 110 seconds of action.
The display uses strong reds, blues, greens, golds and silvers before moving through glittering trails, crackling sections, brocade crowns, palms and strobes. Straight and angled firing helps spread the effects across a wider section of the sky.
With 3861g of powder and a 10/10 noise rating, Master Class is aimed firmly at customers looking for a large, loud compound rather than a quieter family display.
Key features:
- 300 shots
- Approximately 110 seconds
- 25mm tubes
- 3861g powder weight
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£499.99 £349.99
3. Peking Opera 3 X by Riakeo Fireworks
Colour, Fanned Sequences and Varied Tube Sizes
Peking Opera 3 X by Riakeo Fireworks is one of the more visually varied compounds on this list.
It combines 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes, allowing the display to change scale and pace as it progresses. Red glitter mines open into blue and green dahlias, followed by brocade tails and colourful red, lime, purple, orange, lemon and blue effects.
The later sequences introduce electric blue dahlias and a Z-firing finale with gold tourbillion tails and crackling effects. It is a strong option for buyers who value colour and changing firing patterns as much as raw noise.
Key features:
- 241 shots
- Approximately 95 seconds
- 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes
- 3698g powder weight
- Mixed firing patterns
- 25 metre safety distance
£529.99 £299.99
4. Rage, 224 Shots by Pyroworx Fireworks
Large 30mm Tubes and Nearly Four Kilograms of Powder
Rage by Pyroworx is designed for people who want their display loud. It combines 224 shots with large 30mm tubes and just under 4kg of powder.
The mixed firing sequence delivers changing colours, glittering effects and different formations across approximately 133 seconds. Its larger tubes give the aerial breaks plenty of presence, making Rage particularly well suited to the main section or finale of a large display.
This is another 10/10 noise-rated product, so available space and the location of your event should be considered before buying.
Key features:
- 224 shots
- Approximately 133 seconds
- 30mm tubes
- 3986g powder weight
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£599.99 £359.99
5. Pyro Venom, 9 High-Impact Barrages by Pyroworx
Nine Barrages for Building Your Own Display
Pyro Venom by Pyroworx takes a different approach. Instead of one large compound, you receive nine individual high-impact barrages containing a combined 218 shots.
The pack mixes 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes with 2475.5g NEC. This gives you the flexibility to control the order and pace of your display rather than relying on one pre-linked sequence.
Across the nine barrages you get colour bursts, crackles, strobes, brocades and different firing styles. This makes Pyro Venom a good choice for someone who enjoys putting together a complete display using several cakes.
Key features:
- 9 individual barrages
- 218 shots in total
- 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes
- 2475.5g NEC
- 10/10 noise rating
- 25 metre safety distance
£349.99 £214.99
6. Delirium, 154 Shots by Vivid Fireworks
Big 30mm Bursts and Fire Fly Effects
Delirium by Vivid Fireworks has fewer shots than some of the giant compounds above, but every one of its 154 shots comes from a 30mm tube.
That makes it a very different proposition. Rather than relying on a huge shot count, Delirium focuses on large aerial breaks and over two minutes of changing effects.
Fire Fly effects are mixed with gold dragons, colourful stars, chrysanthemum mines and a hard-hitting finale. At around 143 seconds, it also has plenty of time to develop rather than racing through its effects.
Key features:
- 154 shots
- Approximately 143 seconds
- 30mm tubes
- 3682g powder weight
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£409.99 £289.99
7. Ballistic, 150 Shots by Pyroworx Fireworks
Fast Pace With 25mm and 30mm Tubes
Ballistic by Pyroworx packs 150 shots into approximately 90 seconds.
It uses both 25mm and 30mm tubes, combining bold colours with spinning effects, gold sequences, wide fan firing and crackling sections. With 1986g of powder and a 10/10 noise rating, it is designed to keep the energy high throughout its performance.
Ballistic works particularly well if you want a substantial compound without moving into the three, four or five-minute running times of some of the biggest fireworks on this list.
Key features:
- 150 shots
- Approximately 90 seconds
- 25mm and 30mm tubes
- 1986g powder weight
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£319.99 £239.99
8. Alpha Rampage, 145 Shots by Pyroworx Fireworks
Wide Firing Patterns and a Heavy Finale
Alpha Rampage by Pyroworx delivers 145 shots over approximately 90 seconds, using a mixture of 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes.
The display starts with fast-rising shots and bold colour before moving into fanned palms, flowing comets and wider firing formations. Gold, blue and red effects add variety before the firework closes with a strong titanium-style finale.
With 2596.5g NEC, Alpha Rampage offers a lot of power for its shot count and should appeal to buyers who prefer a punchy 90-second display.
Key features:
- 145 shots
- Approximately 90 seconds
- 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes
- 2596.5g NEC
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£379.99 £239.99
9. Air Boss X-Treme, 144 Shots by Pyroworx
Mixed Calibres and Strong Angled Firing
Air Boss X-Treme by Pyroworx combines 144 shots with 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes.
Deep reds, electric blues and gold effects lead into spinning sections, crackling textures and star patterns. The combination of vertical and angled firing gives the display greater width, helping it fill more of the available sky.
Running for around 70 seconds, this is one of the shorter compounds in our top 10, but its pacing and mixed calibres keep the performance busy.
Key features:
- 144 shots
- Approximately 70 seconds
- 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes
- 1972g powder weight
- Mixed firing pattern
- 25 metre safety distance
£309.99 £209.99
10. Monas Jakarta, 108 Shots by Riakeo Fireworks
108 Large-Calibre Shots in Just 55 Seconds
Monas Jakarta by Riakeo Fireworks proves that shot count alone does not decide how impressive a compound will be.
Its 108 shots are fired from 30mm tubes over approximately 55 seconds. Thick gold comet tails, blue horsetails, silver strobes, golden brocades and colourful effects are combined with V and Z firing patterns.
The result is a shorter, more concentrated display with large breaks and plenty happening in a relatively short period. It is one to consider when you want intensity rather than a long-running show.
Key features:
- 108 shots
- Approximately 55 seconds
- 30mm tubes
- 2555g powder weight
- Mixed V and Z firing patterns
- 25 metre safety distance
£369.99 £219.99
Top 10 Firework Cakes & Barrages 2026 Compared
The table below makes it easier to compare our 2026 picks by shot count, brand and approximate duration.
| Firework | Shots | Brand | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Vandal XL | 632 | Vivid Fireworks | 300 seconds |
| Master Class | 300 | Pyroworx | 110 seconds |
| Peking Opera 3 X | 241 | Riakeo | 95 seconds |
| Rage | 224 | Pyroworx | 133 seconds |
| Pyro Venom | 218 total | Pyroworx | 9 separate barrages |
| Delirium | 154 | Vivid Fireworks | 143 seconds |
| Ballistic | 150 | Pyroworx | 90 seconds |
| Alpha Rampage | 145 | Pyroworx | 90 seconds |
| Air Boss X-Treme | 144 | Pyroworx | 70 seconds |
| Monas Jakarta | 108 | Riakeo | 55 seconds |
Compound Firework or Barrage Pack, Which Should You Choose?
A compound firework is useful when you want a pre-arranged sequence from a single ignition. Products such as Sky Vandal XL, Master Class and Delirium can provide a substantial section of your evening’s entertainment without having to light several separate cakes.
A barrage pack such as Pyro Venom gives you more control. Because the nine barrages are separate, you decide the firing order and how much time to leave between them.
There is no single option that suits everyone. Compounds offer convenience and planned sequencing, while individual cakes and barrage packs give you more freedom to build your own show.
Which 2026 Firework Is Right for Your Display?
If duration matters most, Sky Vandal XL stands apart with around five minutes of firing time. If you want a high shot count with a faster pace, Master Class packs 300 shots into around 110 seconds.
For large 30mm effects, Delirium and Monas Jakarta are worth a closer look. Both concentrate on larger calibre shots rather than chasing the highest possible shot count.
Pyro Venom is the obvious choice on this list if you want separate barrages and control over the running order. Rage, Ballistic, Alpha Rampage and Air Boss X-Treme sit between these extremes, offering substantial high-noise displays with different combinations of tube sizes, duration and firing patterns.
Always check the individual product specification and required safety distance before ordering. The biggest firework is only the right firework when you have enough suitable outdoor space to use it correctly.
Buy New Firework Cakes & Barrages for 2026
The latest 2026 firework range gives buyers plenty of choice, from long-duration compounds to fast, hard-hitting barrages. Vivid, Pyroworx and Riakeo all offer different approaches to colour, firing pace, calibre and overall display style.
Before buying, compare the product videos as well as the specifications. A video gives you a much clearer idea of firing speed, colours, effect transitions and how much of the sky the firework covers.
Whether you are planning Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year’s Eve, a wedding or another large celebration, choose your fireworks around your available space, audience and the type of display you want to create.
FAQs About Firework Cakes & Barrages
What is the biggest firework in this 2026 top 10?
Sky Vandal XL has the highest shot count in this list with 632 shots. It also has the longest stated duration at approximately five minutes.
Which firework has the largest tube size?
Several products use 30mm tubes, including Rage, Delirium and Monas Jakarta. Some others mix 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tubes to create different burst sizes and firing speeds.
What is the difference between a cake and a compound firework?
Which firework is best for a long display?
Which option is best if I want to create my own firing order?
Are these fireworks suitable for every garden?
No. Many of the fireworks featured here state a 25 metre safety distance and are powerful, high-noise products. Check the specification of the exact product you are considering and make sure your firing site has enough suitable space.
