Wow Factor on a Shoestring: NYE Display Packed with Unusual Effects for Under £200

Some NYE displays are all about big bangs and sky-filling bursts. Lovely stuff. But sometimes you want something a bit… stranger. Something your guests haven’t seen before. The sort of display where people turn to each other mid-show and say, “Hang on, what was that?”

If you’re after unusual effects — spinning snakes, whistling darts, fish-like scatter sprays, jellyfish-style bursts, howlers and all the weird, wonderful in-between — then this is your kit. A full run of Epic Fireworks that stays under £200 and delivers a show packed with personality.

Because here’s the thing: you don’t need the biggest budget to-wow your guests. What you do need is effects they’ve not quite seen before, and a few sound surprises that give your display its own personality. We've got a mix of barrages, mines and fountains, all chosen for something a little out of the ordinary.

What You’ll Be Working With

This is your fireworks tasting menu: odd noises, strange motion, unexpected shapes and effects you don’t get from supermarket packs. Start with intrigue, build the weirdness, then finish with one of the most unusual finales Epic has in the warehouse.

Here’s the line-up:

Whistle Mix Pop 27 Shot

Approx. duration: ~26 seconds
Effect style: Rising whistles, humming notes, delayed pops, red pearls
This is how you open a show that’s meant to be “a bit different.” The whistles climb in pitch, the pops come in little clusters — it sounds playful and instantly sets the tone that this isn’t your standard display.
Epic Price: £19.98
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Flying Fish 20 Shot

Shots: 20
Approx. duration: ~20–25 seconds
Effect style: “Shoal of fish” swirling scatter — genuinely unique visual
If you’ve never seen flying-fish fireworks before, you’re in for a treat. The bursts break into dozens of little glittering swimmers that wriggle and scatter in different directions. Kids love it. Adults love it. Everyone asks, “Do it again,” which is always a good sign.
Epic Price: £14.94
See Flying Fish in Action

Vortex One 21 Shot

Shots: 21
Approx. duration: ~25–30 seconds
Effect style: Jellyfish-style effects, swirling lifts, soft-colour blooms
This is one of the strangest cakes Epic sells — and that’s a compliment. The jellyfish effect is hypnotic: a round bloom with long glowing tentacles that drift downward. It’s genuinely unusual, and it’s the perfect early-mid show moment that makes people pay attention.
Epic Price: £24.96
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Laser Duel 36 Shot

Shots: 36
Approx. duration: ~35 seconds
Effect style: Pink stars, crackling tails, sonic spinners
Laser Duel sits nicely in the “quirky but controlled” zone. The pink stars give a fun colour pop and the spinner noises add texture.
Epic Price: £6.96
See Laser Duel in Action

Laser Cannon 36 Shot

Shots: 36
Approx. duration: ~28 seconds
Effect style: Whistling comets, multicoloured bursts, frantic crackle ending
Laser Cannon keeps that pace rising. The whistling upward lift is very distinctive — not loud, just characterful.
Epic Price: £6.96
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Crossette Effect 36 Shot

Shots: 36
Approx. duration: ~30–35 seconds
Effect style: Four-way star breaks in geometric cross shapes
Crossettes are properly unusual. They don’t burst like normal stars — they snap into a perfect four-way split. It’s clean, artistic, and makes your display feel more “pro” than “garden.”
Epic Price: £29.94
See Crossette Effect in Action

Moving Target 105 Shot

Shots: 105
Approx. duration: ~30 seconds
Effect style: Sweeping fan pattern, side-to-side movement
The motion here is what sells it. Rather than firing straight up, it moves across the sky in waves — like the display suddenly learned choreography.
Epic Price: £22.98
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Swirling Silver Dragons 16 Shot

Shots: 16
Approx. duration: ~25 seconds
Effect style: Spinning, twisting silver serpents with unusual drift
This one gives you elegant weirdness. The effect spirals and twists like metallic snakes in slow motion. A great “pause and watch this” moment.
Epic Price: £27.96
See Swirling Silver Dragons in Action

Howling Wolves 30 Shot

Shots: 30
Approx. duration: ~45 seconds
Effect style: Screaming howls, wild rising effects, punchy bursts
If the rest of the show is strange and clever, this is the moment it goes feral — deliberately. The rising “wolf howl” screech is unmistakable. A perfect finale for an unusual-effects display.
Epic Price: £49.98
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New Year's Eve Budget Check

Let’s stack it all up:

Whistle Mix Pop — £19.98
Flying Fish — £14.94
Vortex One — £24.96
Laser Duel — £6.96
Laser Cannon — £6.96
Crossette Effect — £29.94
Moving Target — £22.98
Swirling Silver Dragons — £27.96
Howling Wolves — £49.98

Total: £198.66
A full, eccentric, high-character display that sits comfortably under £200.

How to Run the Display

Unusual fireworks need good sequencing. Too many odd noises too early? Chaos. All the weird visuals at the end? Wasteful. Here’s a flow that builds nicely:

1. Whistle Mix Pop
   Gets attention. Clearly not a typical opener.
2. Flying Fish
   Soft, playful, surprising — smooth early lift.
3. Vortex One
   Your first real “wait, what was that?” moment.
4. Laser Duel → Laser Cannon
   Keep the tempo rising with odd noises and movement.
5. Crossette Effect
   A visual highlight. Clean, crisp, unexpected.
6. Moving Target
   Shift the display sideways — literally.
7. Swirling Silver Dragons
   A calm-but-strange moment before the finale.
8. Howling Wolves
   Your power closer. Absolutely unmistakable.

Together, you get several minutes of action with the perfect blend of “ooh”, “what on earth?”, and “LOVE that”.

Three Practical Tips You’ll Actually Use

• Use two firing positions if possible: one for the fan/target-style pieces (e.g., Moving Target), another for vertical cakes. It gives spatial difference.

• Let the sound-effects pieces (whistles, spinners) fire when the audience’s attention is full — just after people settle and before too much talking.

• Clear background noise: switch off music or chatter for the final piece so the unusual noises (howls, whistles) cut through and you get the full effect.

FAQ

Will this display annoy my neighbours given the louder pieces?

The aim here is unusual noise and effects. Yes, there’s a louder piece (Howling Wolves), but because you’ve built pattern, contrast and visual impact, it won’t feel like random loud blasts — it will feel like “that was planned”. A polite heads-up always helps.

Can I swap Howling Wolves for something quieter?

Of course. If you want to keep all unusual effects but keep maximum volume lower, replace it with another mid-price cake with whistling tails or spinners. The rest of the sequence remains valid.

What should I add to my fireworks display to make it even better?

If you're going to push the budget there's a whole world of options to choose from. But if it was down to us we'd be throwing some packs of sparklers into our basket so everyone can feel a part of the show. Plus, we'd be looking at adding a rocket pack or two into the mix to give the show even more wow factor.

Are these fireworks safe for a typical garden?

Yes, but always check the safety distances individually — some unusual-effect cakes fire wider or fan out.

Will kids enjoy this display?

Absolutely — unusual effects hold attention the attention of little ones (as well as the big kids) more than repetitive bangs.

What should I add to my fireworks display to make it even better?

If you're going to push the budget there's a whole world of options to choose from. But if it was down to us we'd be throwing some packs of sparklers into our basket so everyone can feel a part of the show. Plus, we'd be looking at adding a rocket pack or two into the mix to give the show even more wow factor.

Looking for more easy and impressive options for your New Year's Eve fireworks display?

Here at Epic Fireworks, we’re your go-to for everything you need to put on an awesome display. 

Our DIY New Year's Eve firework display packs come with everything you need to create a stunning show, with easy-to-follow instructions to help you fire like a pro. Plus, our fireworks are up to 5 times more powerful than supermarket fireworks so you'll be getting more bang for your buck, literally!

Shop our full range of fireworks today