
Visiting the 2025 International Fireworks Festival in Courchevel
If you think fireworks are impressive when you're standing in a soggy park in Britain, just wait until you see them in Courchevel. This French Alpine resort doesn’t just put on a few colourful explosions and call it a night—it hosts an entire month of firework-fuelled showdowns between the world’s best pyrotechnic teams.
Set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, it’s a battle of bangers, a contest of cracklers and a showdown of sky-scorching spectacle. And the best part? It’s completely free.
What’s the Deal?
Running across four nights—13th, 20th, and 27th February, plus 6th March—the International Fireworks Festival is no ordinary display. Each evening, a different team of pyrotechnic wizards gets their shot at impressing the crowds, setting off an extravagant firework show that lights up the Alps.
These aren’t your average back-garden fireworks—expect intricate choreography, explosions perfectly timed to music, and enough colour and light to make the Northern Lights look a bit underwhelming.
For 2025, the festival has a new addition: "France, Land of Lights", which will see french companies put on an pyrotechnic art festival on the 6th of March. Think Parisian romance, a bit of national pride, and a dramatic finale set to Edith Piaf—probably.
What to Expect
The fun kicks off at 6pm each night at one of the different venues—Courchevel Village, Courchevel Moriond, Courchevel 1850, or Le Praz—exact locations and dates are yet to be annouced.
You might find yourself sipping mulled wine to a live DJ set or watching Magali Dahan’s "Magma Show" while trying to keep your fingers from freezing. Either way, the atmosphere is lively, the drinks are flowing, and there’s a real sense of build-up to the main event.
At 7pm, the torchlight procession begins. This is where local ski instructors glide down the slopes in perfect formation, each holding a flaming torch, creating an eerie and magical trail of light against the snow. It’s the sort of thing that makes you feel like you’re in a medieval Alpine fairytale—until you remember you’re actually in a ski resort where a pint costs as much as a small car.
Finally, at 7:30pm, the fireworks begin. And if you’ve ever thought, "I’ve seen one firework display, I’ve seen them all," this will prove you very, very wrong. These are big, bold, and beautifully timed, exploding in harmony with carefully selected music, all against the crisp, mountain air. The echoes alone make it feel like the whole valley is celebrating.
Fireworks Are Great, But What Else Is There?
If you’re making the trip to Courchevel, it would be daft not to take advantage of what else is on offer. This place isn’t just a ski resort—it’s one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, part of the enormous Trois Vallées ski area, with over 600km of slopes to explore. Whether you’re a pro who thrives on black runs or someone who spends more time horizontal than upright, there’s something for every ability.
Not into skiing? No problem. You can swap the slopes for a dog sledding adventure, where you’ll be pulled around by excitable huskies while pretending to be a great Arctic explorer.
If you prefer your activities at a slower pace, snowshoeing lets you trek through the stunning winter landscape without the fear of tumbling down a mountain.
Courchevel is also a paradise for food lovers, with its selection of Michelin-starred restaurants serving up everything from traditional Savoyard specialities to high-end French cuisine. And of course, there’s the après-ski scene, ranging from chic cocktail bars to lively spots where you’ll inevitably end up dancing on tables in your ski boots.
What to Budget?
Let’s be honest—Courchevel is not the cheapest place to visit. You won’t be getting a budget break here unless you plan on surviving purely on supermarket baguettes. That said, there are ways to do it without remortgaging your house.
Flights from the UK to Geneva, the closest major airport, can be found for anywhere between £80 and £200 return. From there, a shared transfer to Courchevel will cost about £50, while a private one will set you back closer to £300.
Accommodation in Courchevel 1850, the most luxurious part of the resort, starts at around £500 a night, but if you look at Courchevel Village or Le Praz, you can find mid-range hotels or self-catering apartments for around £150 to £250 a night.
Eating out can be eye-wateringly expensive if you go for the full Michelin-starred experience, but a good meal in a mid-range restaurant will cost between £25 and £40 per person. For those wanting to keep costs down, bakeries and delis are the way to go—fresh pastries, local cheese, and a baguette make for a perfectly respectable (and much cheaper) meal.
Is It Worth the Trip?
Let’s be honest—fireworks are great, but are they worth hauling yourself all the way to the French Alps for? In a word: absolutely.
Watching pyrotechnics explode over a snow-covered mountain range is about as far from your typical damp Bonfire Night as you can get. Courchevel’s International Fireworks Festival isn’t just a few sparklers and a Catherine wheel nailed to a fence—it’s a full-blown spectacle where world-class pyrotechnic teams go all out to impress.
And even if fireworks aren’t usually your thing, Courchevel itself is more than enough of a draw. Between the skiing, après-ski, fine dining, and general air of Alpine luxury, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Whether you’re watching the night sky light up from a lively slope-side bar or a cosy mountain lodge, this is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
So yes, it’s worth it. It’s fireworks, but make it luxury. And let’s be honest—given the choice between this and standing in your mate’s back garden with a burnt-out sparkler and a lukewarm can of lager, it’s not exactly a tough decision, is it?
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