Whether planning your own display from scratch or calling in the professionals, one of the most important things to decide is how long your display should last. This is one of the most frequently asked questions in the business – how long is the perfect fireworks display? Is there a universally agreed length of time for a display that satisfies audience expectations and sends everyone away happy?

The answer, of course, is that there is no single answer that suits every occasion, every person and every display. However, there are some crucial things to consider when planning out and timing your display:

Meeting your audience’s expectations

This is probably the most important factor to consider when deciding how long your fireworks display should last. Your audience could be expecting a really big event, possibly because you’ve marketed it as such, planned it on a big celebration such as New Year’s Eve or charged a reasonable amount for entrance. If this is the case and you deliver a measly 10 minutes of fireworks, they are bound to be disappointed. You need to decide in advance how long to run your display (bearing previous similar events in mind) and market it appropriately – it’s all about managing expectations.

Pacing is everything

Believe it or not, a longer fireworks display can actually turn out to be a bit boring. If you don’t pace it properly, starting slowly and building up tension and excitement to a climactic finish with big rockets and explosions of colour, then you could end up putting people off. Working with a fireworks specialist such as the 1^st Galaxy team, or even just seeking expert advice, is a good way to get the pacing perfect for your display.

Time means money

You may be considering the length of your display from a crowd-pleasing point of view, but for many display organisers, what it really comes down to is money. Every extra minute of your display will cost more money, so this could be the biggest restriction on how long your fireworks last. However, if you bear in mind the previous points about perfect pacing, you could make your money go much further.

It’s also important to buy good quality fireworks. Some people skimp and buy cheap products in an effort to keep costs down, but this usually ends up being a false economy due to faulty, malfunctioning and overly smoky fireworks. If you work with a fireworks specialist, you can usually end up with a package and display that is tailored to your budget.

Consider your neighbours

How close your site is to other people’s properties can also affect the length of your display. If you’re really going for it with a marathon display, remember to consider the convenience of your neighbours. Give them plenty of notice and invite them along if you can, plus make sure to check whether you’re acting within local authority guidelines on firework displays and the times within which you are allowed to hold them.