AN EXPLOSION of colour lit up the skies above Oxfordshire as fireworks displays took place across the county.

Tonight's shows will provide the grand finale to a weekend of celebrations that saw dozens of events to mark Bonfire Night 2018.

Families flocked to displays from Wallingford to Witney and Bicester to Burford, with children clutching sparklers and parents keeping warm by the bonfire.

ALSO READ: Best pics from Oxford's South Park display 

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Fireworks stole the show on Saturday with a huge event at South Park that could be seen from across the city, featuring live music, a funfair and an astounding 50ft bonfire.

This took some beating, but Wallingford Fireworks offered spectacular sights on the same night, with a mesmerising show accompanied by a 25ft Guy Fawkes.

The display came courtesy of Wallingford-based Illusion Fireworks Ltd, who were named British Fireworks Champions 2018 in August.

The company took charge of around 30 displays in Oxfordshire this weekend, including a memorable night at Didcot Town FC yesterday.

The event welcomed a record attendance for the town's biggest fireworks yet, putting on a 'pyromusical' display that even stunned Illusion's founder and director Karl Mitchell-Shead.

He said: "It was absolutely brilliant.

"These were world class fireworks brought in from all over the world."

It was predictably the busiest weekend in Illusion's calendar, with the company responsible for 53 events over 10 days across the region.

Oxford Mail:

Among the company's other Oxfordshire outings was Grove Rugby Club's beloved annual show on Friday night, which brought families from across the village and neighbouring Wantage for the blazing bonfire and dazzling display.

Mr Michell-Shead said the company had to deal with difficult wind direction at this year's shows, but all of their displays passed without a hitch.

The same cannot be said for Blenheim Palace's event on Saturday, despite the Woodstock stately home putting on an impressive display of its own.

The palace apologised over Facebook yesterday after the fireworks were marred by long queues, a ‘lack of organisation’ and a 'lacklustre' fireworks display, which left many feeling deflated.

Several shows took the opportunity to raise money for charity, with Oxford Round Table leading the way with the fireworks at South Park.

Since 1967, the organisation's fireworks nights have raised more than £1m for charities who apply for donations, with Bicester Round Table promoted similar causes with its event at Pingle Field.

In West Oxfordshire, Witney Fireworks invited visitors to don the fancy dress for a 'best-dressed Guy' competition, while Hanborough joined Didcot in offering a musical event

Some displays are still to take place this weekend, with Illusion promising to go out with a bang at Abingdon Festival of Fireworks at Dalton Barracks on Saturday.

The company says the £45,000 display is the 'biggest in the south', with gates opening at 5pm.

Tickets are £6 on the gate, with children under five going free and family tickets costing £20.