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Every summer, Montreal transforms its night sky into a canvas of colour, sound, and artistry during L’International des Feux Loto-Québec. Known as one of the most prestigious fireworks competitions in the world, the 2025 edition once again drew massive crowds, showcased dazzling pyrotechnic innovation, and crowned new champions in the international fireworks community.
This year’s competition, held from June 26 to July 31, 2025, marked the 39th edition of the event. Set at La Ronde, the city’s famed amusement park originally built for Expo ’67, the festival continued its legacy of blending entertainment, culture, and high artistry under the stars.
A Sparkling Story: How Montreal Became the Fireworks Capital
Back in 1985, Montreal lit up the skies in a way no one had ever seen before. The city hosted the very first edition of what was then called Le Concours international d’art pyrotechnique de Montréal, and people showed up in droves. More than 5.7 million spectators packed La Ronde and lined the shores of the St. Lawrence River that summer, setting a Canadian record for the biggest audience at an event of its kind.
What set this competition apart right from the beginning was its focus on artistry. In those early years, the shows were split between traditional fireworks displays and a daring new idea: “pyromusicals,” where fireworks were perfectly choreographed to music. By 1987, organisers doubled down and went all in on the pyromusical format. That bold decision transformed Montreal into the global stage for creativity and innovation in fireworks.
The world quickly took notice. In 2008, the New York Times called it a “world-class competition,” describing the displays as the “exclamation marks” of Montreal’s festival-filled summers. Today, nearly three million people flock to La Ronde, the Jacques Cartier Bridge, and both riverbanks every year to witness the magic.
A huge part of the competition’s artistic identity can be traced to Giovanni Panzera, the Italian visionary who became artistic director in the late 1980s. Known as the “maestro of pyromusical arts,” Panzera brought his European expertise to Montreal and helped perfect the breathtaking harmony of music and fireworks that defines the event to this day. Until his passing in 2000, his influence set the gold standard for fireworks artistry around the world.
The 2025 Program: From Latin Beats to Taylor Swift
Summer 2025 was nothing short of dazzling. With support from Tim Hortons and Videotron, the competition stretched out over more than a month, giving fans plenty of reasons to come back again and again. And it wasn’t just about fireworks—the party started early every night with live performances on the Loto-Québec stage at 8 PM, setting the mood before the first shell even hit the sky at 10.
Here’s how the lineup played out:
- June 26: Opening Night: Viva Latino
- July 3: Italy
- July 6: Japan
- July 10: Canada
- July 17: Switzerland
- July 24: United States
- July 27: France
- July 31: Closing Night: Tribute to Taylor Swift
Each team brought its own flavour, mixing cultural traditions with unique musical choices to create shows that ranged from theatrical and bold to heartfelt and emotional. Every performance told a story in sparks, with fireworks timed flawlessly to the music.
The grand finale, a tribute to Taylor Swift, packed in one of the biggest crowds of the season. With fan-favourite hits lighting up the soundtrack and a rainbow of colour filling the night sky, it was a send-off worthy of the biggest pop star on the planet and the perfect way to close out a summer of world-class fireworks.
The 2025 Winners: France Takes Gold
At the end of the competition, the coveted Jupiter Awards were announced. These are recognitions that represent the highest honours in the fireworks world.
- Gold Jupiter – France, LUX FACTORY
- Silver Jupiter – Switzerland, SUGYP
- Bronze Jupiter – Italy, PYROITALY S.N.C
France’s LUX FACTORY claimed the top spot with a breathtaking performance that combined technical precision with artistry. Their display was lauded for its emotional depth, musical synchronisation, and creative effects that left audiences stunned. Switzerland’s SUGYP impressed with elegant choreography and inventive pyrotechnics, while Italy’s PYROITALY S.N.C. secured bronze for a performance that celebrated tradition while incorporating fresh techniques.
Winning a Jupiter is no small feat. The awards place teams among an elite group of pyrotechnicians recognised globally for their mastery. For many, competing in Montreal is the highlight of their careers—a chance to perform before one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative audiences in the world.
A Legacy of Champions
The 2025 results join a long list of winners that highlight the international nature of this competition. In 2024, France’s Arteventia captured gold, while Canada’s Fireworks Spectaculars earned silver. In 2023, Finland’s Joho Pyro topped the podium. And in 2022, England’s Pyrotex Fireworx dazzled audiences to win gold.
Looking further back, the roster of winners reads like a who’s who of global fireworks artistry: Portugal’s Grupo Luso Pirotecnia (2019), the Philippines’ Dragon Fireworks (2018), Spain’s RICASA (2016), and Canada’s Royal Pyrotechnie (2009, 2003). Each year, the competition has reinforced its reputation as the ultimate stage for the world’s best pyrotechnic artists.
More Than Entertainment: A Cultural Touchstone
For Montreal, the competition is far more than a fun event, it’s a cultural touchstone. Each summer, families, locals, and tourists gather along the riverbanks, turning the city into a massive open-air amphitheatre. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses benefit from the influx of visitors, making it an economic as well as cultural highlight of the season.
Perhaps most importantly, L’International des Feux Loto-Québec elevates fireworks from mere entertainment to an art form. In Montreal, pyrotechnicians are not just technicians; they are celebrated as artists, capable of evoking emotion and wonder through their craft.
As the 2025 edition concludes, anticipation is already building for next summer. The 40th anniversary in 2026 promises to be one of the most memorable yet, with organisers expected to pull out all the stops to celebrate four decades of world-class fireworks artistry.
For now, the echoes of this year’s performances still linger in the memories of those who gathered under the Montreal sky. With France’s LUX FACTORY taking home gold, Switzerland’s SUGYP and Italy’s PYROITALY also earning accolades, and millions once again reminded of the power of fireworks to bring people together, the 2025 competition stands as another glittering chapter in a story that has been lighting up summers for nearly four decades.
Want to become a trusted voice in the fireworks community? Take one of CNFA’s free online training courses today. Whether you’re a vendor or employee, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to support safe, responsible, and fair fireworks use.
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