Xplosive Events Reviews 

Chaos! Left before the fireworks
Rubbish

I’m disappointed by my recent experience with Xplosive Events.

I purchased tickets for their fireworks event for myself and several friends. As a lawful medical patient (with a prescription issued by a specialist doctor under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001), I contacted the organisers in advance to check their policy and ensure I complied fully with any rules.

Instead of answering my question or providing guidance, I was told I was “not entitled” to use my prescription and that my tickets – along with those of my friends – were refunded on the assumption that I intended to bring Drugs. This was never the case; my enquiry was made purely in good faith to avoid any misunderstanding.

I respect that event organisers have to follow safety and licensing requirements, but I feel this situation was handled poorly and without understanding of lawful medical prescriptions. It left me and my friends excluded from an event we were looking forward to, based solely on an assumption.

I hope Xplosive Events reviews its policies and staff training to ensure future customers with legitimate medical needs are treated with understanding and respect.

Honestly I was quite disappointed with our experience, we got there and had to wait an hour just to get to the parking, which was fairly organised but getting there was a pain. Then when we finally got in I had an expectation of a show that can actually be watched... Unfortunately that was not the case for me. I am fairly short and there was a lot of people lined at the fence and I couldn't see anything. We only managed to watch maybe 20 minutes of the show because of the traffic and then the monster trucks left and we had to wonder around until the fireworks display... At that point it was rainy so we just decided to leave and didn't stick around. It's a really nice concept but I don't think it was worth the money.

Today was my first time going to Abingdon Firework Festival. And I won’t be going again, absolutely nothing to do with the rain. The whole event was just ‘meh’.

First of all, the viewing area to see the stunt shows is an absolute joke, very small and cramped. The sheer number of people in tents literally blocking any chance of getting close to the fence is ridiculous it’s all well and good telling people to put down umbrellas to let people see, half of us had to stand right at the back because of the tents so we couldn’t see anyway. Personally, tents shouldn’t be allowed so close up to the spectating area, it really does ruin it for everyone else. I am 30 and vertically challenged and what I saw was minimal so a lot of kids would’ve missed out. From what I did see, the shows were nothing short of underwhelming. The guy doing all the talking on the mic, please don’t give him a microphone again. Not funny, absolutely piss poor at being a filler and keeping crowds engaged, it became awkward and cringe.

We arrived at 6pm and saw A LOT of people already leaving so in hindsight that was a giveaway of how awful it was. People were voicing concerns on their Facebook page but any sniff of negativity on their page they just delete your comment so thought I’d come here instead!

Charging £5 to park is ludicrous, like people don’t already pay enough for the tickets. I can’t comment on the ease of exit as we left about 10 minutes into the firework display so we were out within 5-10 minutes of getting into the car but I imagine it was absolute pandemonium the moment the heavens truly opened.

Again, my views have absolutely nothing to do with the rain, if rain was an issue I wouldn’t have even made it there.

I feel like I am being harsh but just some constructive criticism for next year.. Free parking, charging is just greed.. Limit the distance tents can be to the fences, the amount of space these tents took up was a joke, so many more families could’ve got up close with their kids to see but selfish entitled folk and all that. Get someone trained in crowd work and entertainment on the mic. Maybe include more activities than just rides that cost more than a mortgage deposit for families.

Disappointed the parking wasn't free after paying for tickets. Having been to a monster truck event before that had tiered seating so you could see what was happening. Hardly saw a thing as we couldn't get to the front so pretty useless really. Rides on the fair £4-5 a go, so £10 for 2 to go on 1 ride & the rest. Hook a duck stalls £5 a go for a couple of quid toy, if that. We spent over £100 with 1 child with us God knows what people spent with more children. I am reminded to avoid these things it's just a money pit, ok if money is no object & you can afford to just splash out. Left early so missed the jam getting out of the carpark.

Avoid at all costs. We've been to two of these fireworks events. They will not put enough parking marshals on duty after the event. Therefore leaving is an absolute nightmare, last time it took us just over 2 hours to leave the site, it's like being stuck on a closed M25. Avoid!

We ordered Early Bird tickets for the Newbury Summer Fest in January. The event originally due on the 26 July was changed to 19 July. We turned up on the day and it had been cancelled. No notification from Xplosive Events. They offered tickets for another event we could not attend and after I asked for a refund went quiet. DO NOT USE.

They cancelled the event I had tickets for and not giving me my money back

Still no refund, company is ignoring emails, I posted on there Socail media and asked for me money back for a canceled event and promised refund after 30 days, they blocked me from posting on there Social media pages

What types of business is this that takes over 130 for 5 tickets for a family day out moves date location, promises refund after 30 days... Does not provide then just blocks and ignores your request for your money back for services they did not provide?

Absolute Scum

Do not support these events, avoid at all costs! I bought tickets and parking in March for the Newbury Summer festival taking place on 19 July. When I went to check the date in the Eventbrite app in May I had tickets for a different event taking place on 14 June. I contacted the company and eventually got an email saying the Newbury one was cancelled so they gave me tickets for another event. With no communication or notification!!! They then offered me a refund which would supposedly be paid within 30 days.
I have not received the refund and have sent several emails which are not replied, and have called and left several messages to please call me back and process my refund of over £70.
This company are dishonest and thieves.

Further to my original review, I have finally received a communication from Xplosive Events to say that they will give me a refund, but they don't have the funds to do that right now. They have offered an upgrade to an event that I can't attend, which is useless to me. I am now looking at going through the complaints procedure. I will never buy tickets through this company again!

You changed the date of an event. Offered a refund have not yet paid the money back and it's WAY after the 30 day limit you originally said. Also the email address you gave now doesn't exist & noone ever answers the phone, noone answers on "submitted form" or to emails or Instagram.... Just awful. Will never book an event with you guys ever again and I'll make sure everyone knows to do the same too.

Cancelled the Newbury event and said we would receive a refund. Still no refund, not replying to any messages or phone calls. Have contacted my bank now, I assume this company have gone pop so if you're expecting the other events to run, I wouldnt take the risk!

I ordered tickets to Newbury summerfest and the event was cancelled, they offered a refund which I accepted, this was in the middle of May. I have contact xplosive events a number of times about this and had no response they just keep sending me replacement tickets for an event that has passed. I have emailed, left voicemails and had nothing back. Avoid this company, I will now be contacting my bank.

Still waiting for a refund for an event that was cancelled! Mid May I responded to the initial email requesting full refund! We were told it would be refunded within 30 days. Its now July and still no sign of a refund.. We have finally had some correspondence and have advised a refund is on its way but no sign yet!

Been following Xplosive Events around then UK watching their displays and enjoying their events. The time, efforts and creativity that goes into each one is unbeaten! Abingdon fireworks is my all time favourite with their immersive display, it’s one not to be missed. Highly recommend!

Have been wanting to write this review for a long time but its been a hard year full of trauma and death which is why this review is even more poignant and special to me.
This company always gets such a bad wrap for the parking at the fireworks shows but its not about the parking its about the fireworks display and bonfire show and spectacle that they create for people to enjoy.
The ABINGDON BONFIRE & FIREWORKS display in November 2024 was the most spectacular and moving fireworks display I have ever seen in my life. And i have seen many all around the world. Was like standing underneath exploding stars and planets. It lit up the night sky like daylight. Goosebumps and so so emotional. The music choice was fantastic and went with the fireworks show. Even included some Tomorrowland tracks which i was also lucky to attend the same year so had such a personal impact on me. So special having this memory to share with my son. Karl Mitchell-Shead the director is a genius. Truly original best indescribably spectacular, moving, unforgettable fireworks display and amazing bonfire show. If you don't experience you will never know or understand. Will be back every single year. Thank you Xplosive Events was like nothing I’ve ever experienced on earth.

£84 for a family of four for entry , I’m not entirely sure what that fee was for as everything inside we paid for anyway ! Which yes you expect to pay a bit more some of the prices were just ridiculous! Couldn’t see the monster trucks so moved on . Street performers were listed , fire breathing etc didn’t catch a glimpse of any ! Wouldn’t return there were many festivals on at the same time for free entry that topped this by the looks of it !

The price of entry does not correlate with the fact you’re spending a minimum of £150 when you get inside, that’s for a small family. The description is very misleading.

It is not an event I will be returning to.

We went to the summerfest today - £75 for a family of 4
We only went for the monster trucks, despite having my son on my shoulders, we couldn't see anything, the crowds were ridiculous.
So we walked round
£6 face paint each
£ 7.50 per pint
£4 fair ground ride each
£6 for 10 minutes for bouncy castles
£13 each for small fish and chips

If you are a working family, this is not a value for money place, we were charged for everything possible. Lots of other places, even the theme parks are cheaper!