GlobalFest 2025: Proof That Fireworks Bring Communities Together

Every summer, Calgary’s Elliston Park becomes a living example of what fireworks can and should be: safe, spectacular, and deeply connected to community. This year’s GlobalFest International Fireworks Festival once again delivered more than breathtaking displays. It offered proof that when fireworks are handled responsibly, they strengthen culture, tourism, and family traditions across Canada.

More Than Fireworks in the Sky

GlobalFest is one of the largest multicultural events in Western Canada. The OneWorld Festival on the grounds runs alongside the fireworks, showcasing dozens of cultural pavilions, live performances, and food vendors representing communities from every corner of the globe. Families strolled through the park sampling global cuisine, children danced to international music, and visitors experienced firsthand how Calgary celebrates its diversity.

Fireworks events are sometimes reduced to debates about noise or nuisance. But, GlobalFest proves the opposite: when supported by thoughtful policy and safe practices, fireworks amplify culture, tourism, and local pride.

A Competition of Craft and Culture

The fireworks portion of GlobalFest is an international pyromusical competition. Teams from the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, and China competed this year, with Canada presenting the finale. Each show was a story told through light and sound, meticulously timed to music, designed months in advance, and executed by professional technicians under strict Canadian safety standards.

United States opened with bold energy, combining classic American hits with bright, fast-paced effects.
Malaysia blended tradition and modernity, pairing intricate fountains with dramatic bursts.
Philippines struck an emotional chord, weaving colour and music into a show that earned them the People’s Choice: Best of the Fest award.
China, crowned Grand Champion, raised the bar with a technically flawless performance that showcased the artistry and precision of world-class pyrotechnics.

The Canadian finale capped off the event with a celebration of homegrown talent, reminding audiences that fireworks are part of our national tradition too.

Why Festivals Are Great for Canada

When thousands of people gather peacefully to share food, music, and fireworks, it shows what responsible fireworks use makes possible. GlobalFest:

Drives tourism – visitors travel from across Alberta and beyond, filling hotels and restaurants.
Creates jobs – from pyrotechnicians and cultural performers to vendors and security staff.
Builds cultural understanding – showcasing communities and traditions that enrich Canadian identity.
Supports family life – giving parents, children, and grandparents a safe place to create lasting memories together.

These are not abstract benefits. They are measurable outcomes that ripple through Calgary’s economy and cultural landscape. That’s why CNFA advocates for common-sense policy that allows fireworks festivals to flourish instead of being restricted out of fear or misunderstanding.

Safety First, Always

Behind the beauty of GlobalFest is a commitment to safety. Every shell is handled by licensed pyrotechnicians who follow Canada’s strict regulations. Launch zones are carefully managed, firing systems are tested repeatedly, and volunteers ensure the park remains a safe space for tens of thousands of attendees.

This is the standard CNFA pushes for nationwide: responsible celebrations, led by trained professionals, supported by strong community partnerships. When safety is prioritized, the result is what Calgary saw this August: a festival that was joyful, safe, and embraced by the public.

The Power of Shared Experience

Ask anyone who attended, and they’ll describe more than fireworks. They’ll talk about the way the crowd gasped in unison when a sequence unfolded perfectly to music. They’ll recall children laughing on blankets, the hum of conversation across cultures, and the sense of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Social media was filled with clips of the shows: bursts of colour reflected in Elliston Park’s lake, synchronized shells painting the sky, and crowds cheering together. These moments demonstrate why fireworks endure: they create collective memories that strengthen community bonds.

GlobalFest as a Model for the Future

GlobalFest is more than entertainment. It’s a model for how fireworks festivals can operate across Canada. With clear regulations, professional oversight, and community support, fireworks are not only safe but beneficial. They are part of our cultural fabric, bringing people together in ways few other events can.

For policymakers debating fireworks restrictions, GlobalFest is the answer: here is a festival that enriches lives, boosts the economy, and celebrates diversity, without compromising safety.

Winners Who Captured the Spirit of 2025

Two teams defined this year’s festival:

Philippines: Winner of the People’s Choice: Best of the Fest, their show proved that fireworks connect on an emotional level with audiences.
Team China: Awarded Grand Champion, their precision and artistry set a new global standard.

You can relive Team China’s winning performance through these videos:

Up Next for GlobalFest

GlobalFest will return in 2026, promising new stories, new teams, and another opportunity to gather under Calgary’s night sky. As fireworks advocates, we should take note: this is what’s at stake when conversations about bans or restrictions come up. Without common-sense policy and community support, festivals like this could disappear.

That’s why CNFA continues to push for education, advocacy, and responsible celebration: because fireworks are not a problem to solve, they are a tradition to protect.

Play Your Part

GlobalFest shows what’s possible when fireworks are celebrated responsibly. Now it’s up to all of us to protect that future. CNFA offers free safety courses for vendors and employees, ensuring the people who make these events possible are equipped with the knowledge to keep them safe and professional.

Take the Safety Courses Today

Together, we can ensure fireworks festivals continue to unite communities, enrich culture, and light up Canadian skies for generations to come.