Roman Candles

A Roman candle firework is a long tube that fires a series of coloured stars, comets, or crackling effects into the sky - one shot at a time. Each effect is launched in sequence with a short pause between bursts, creating a smooth, rhythmic display. Many offer low noise effects but some will produce a bombette burst effect.

Roman candles are one of the oldest and most recognisable types of fireworks. They are popular for their simple setup, steady pace, and ability to add variety to both small garden displays and larger firework shows. Available as single tubes or multi-tube candle batteries, Roman candles can produce anything from a few shots to 100+ effects from a single ignition.

Yes, angling Roman candles is a popular way to create more dynamic firework effects. Instead of firing straight up, slightly angling the tubes outward spreads the shots across a wider area of sky, creating a fan-style effect. This technique works especially well when multiple Roman candles are set at different angles, producing a broader and more visually impressive display.

For safety, always make sure the direction of fire is clear of spectators, buildings, and anything flammable before lighting and the candle is secured crowd side to a stake.

A single-tube Roman candle typically fires 5 to 10 shots in a sequence, one at a time from a single tube. A candle battery groups multiple tubes together with internal fusing, firing each tube in turn to produce a longer-running, higher shot count display - often 50 to 200 or more shots from a single ignition. Candle batteries offer more sustained visual impact while keeping the characteristic paced rhythm of a Roman candle.

Roman candles and firework cakes both fire a sequence of effects, but they differ in how they’re built and the type of display they create. A Roman candle is typically a single tube containing multiple shots stacked inside. These fire one after another from the same tube, with pacing that can vary - from slower, spaced shots to faster sequences in larger candle batteries with 100+ effects.

Cakes and barrages are made up of multiple tubes fused together, with each tube usually firing a single shot. This allows for larger bore shots, bigger individual effects, and more complex firing patterns, often including fans, volleys, and layered sequences. Roman candles are ideal for adding variety and controlled sequences to a display, while cakes and barrages deliver larger, more complex effects with greater overall impact.

No. Roman candles must never be held in the hand.

In the UK, all consumer Roman candles must be securely fixed in place before lighting. This means staking them into the ground, placing them in a bucket of sand, or using a purpose-built firework holder. Holding a Roman candle is extremely dangerous and illegal under UK firework safety regulations. Always secure the Roman candle upright, light the fuse at arm’s length, and move away immediately to a safe distance.

Our minimum order for home delivery is £99 including VAT.

There is no minimum order for click & collect from our retail outlets in Colchester and Ipswich.
Please see our delivery information page for full details on delivery charges and free delivery thresholds.