Firework displays during summer are as traditional as fish and chips on the beach.

A number of spectacular events are set to light up the skies over Dorset in the coming weeks. 

So grab your diaries, here's your guide to what's happening and when.

Bournemouth Pier

Friday night fireworks have become a popular feature on the town’s calendar in recent years.

The launch on July 29, backed by the Bournemouth and Hotel Association (BAHA), will feature live entertainment in the Lower Gardens, including a fire show, circus workshop, stilt walkers, face painting and the Boscombe Salvation Army playing in the Bandstand.

The entertainment is free and will start at 7pm before the 10pm fireworks display.

The first firework display will take place on July 29.

They will then run:

  • August 5
  • August 12
  • August 19
  • August 26 

The event on August 19 will coincide with the Air Festival and will form part of the Night Air line-up.

Andrew Woodland, BAHA's chair, said: “BAHA are very pleased to be able to contribute towards Bournemouth’s Friday Fireworks and, in particular, the family entertainment which is running alongside the fireworks on July 29.

“This helps to ensure that we continue to attract families to a wide range of events, attractions and accommodation and in doing so, sets Bournemouth ahead of all the other south coast resorts.”

Poole's Summer Breeze on the Quay

Poole's big annual firework bonanza will get your Thursdays nights off with a bang.

Families are invited to enjoy an evening of free entertainment from 7pm which has been sponsored by Breeze Volkswagen as part of Poole Tourism's Wave 105 Summertime in the South event.

The annual event, which offers a different line-up each week, will feature live music, street entertainment, activities for the family and special themed nights followed by a fireworks finale at 10pm.  

The first display of the season takes place on July 21.

This will be followed by displays on:

  • July 28
  • August 4
  • August 11
  • August 18
  • August 25

Swanage Carnival​

Bournemouth and Poole don't get to have all the fun. Swanage also gets its own light show during its annual carnival.

One of the main highlights of carnival week, the fireworks are fired from the jetty on the main beach and can be enjoyed from the beach, seafront Recreation ground Sandpit Field, the Pier, the Downs or near the Old Stone Quay.

Displays will take place on:

  • Saturday, July 30
  • Wednesday, August 3
  • Saturday, August 6

Christchurch

There will be a free firework display on Sunday, August 14 on the Quay as part of Christchurch Carnival.

On the day, there will be a carnival procession through the streets, displays and activities, music and a funfair with a dazzling firework display bringing things to a close in the evening. 

Wareham

Wareham Wednesdays summer firework spectacular starts on July 27.

There will be firework displays, entertainment, stalls and fairground rides every Wednesday until August 31. 

Every evening there is an outside bar with local beers and ciders, our excellent BBQ and beer and cider tent. The evenings always conclude with open air dancing to live music and fantastic fireworks.