The 4th of July is full of festivities, family gatherings, and, of course, fireworks. These bright, sparkly displays may dazzle the eye, but their environmental impact is far from delightful. As we gear up for this year’s Independence Day, we’d like to take a moment to explore both the impacts of fireworks and discover some simple and easy ways that you can offset these impacts by celebrating more sustainably.

The Truth About Fireworks: 

Fireworks are a 4th of July tradition for many. However, fireworks are also volatile explosives – they are extremely dangerous when set off by anyone without professional training and can put you and everyone around you at risk. Never play with fireworks at home. If you want to see fireworks, there are plenty of local shows that you can attend with your fellow Angelenos. These events are always better regulated and safer than setting off fireworks yourself. Here’s some free local fireworks events we recommend: 

  • Marina Del Rey’s 4th of July Fireworks Show: The fireworks start at 9pm, but while you wait, enjoy the Marina’s curated music and grab a bite from the many waterfront restaurants. 
  • Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown: Watch fireworks from every corner of the city from the hotel’s 70th floor, Tickets are first come, first serve. 
  • Dodger Stadium Firework and Drone Show: Every Friday, the Dodgers put on special post-game fireworks and drone shows, but on the 4th of July every year, they go all out! While tickets to actually be seated in the stadium do need to be purchased, you can also enjoy the show just fine from a nearby vantage point at Elysium Park. Generally, you can expect the show to begin at around 9 pm, depending on the length of the game. 

That being said, even fireworks set off at carefully controlled shows maintain a certain level of hazard – less so for attendees than for the natural world.

  • Pollution: Fireworks release a cocktail of chemicals into the air, including heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds, and other toxins. These pollutants can harm wildlife, contribute to air pollution, and even contaminate water sources when residue settles on the ground and gets washed into waterways.
  • Fire Risk: Especially in a dry climate like Los Angeles, the risk of fires increases dramatically with the use of fireworks. From one Californian to another, we don’t think we have to go into all the hazards and woes associated with wildfires – we’ve all lived through days of ash-clouded skies and heard stories of communities burned to the ground.
  • Noise Level: The loud booms can be distressing for pets, wildlife, and even some people, particularly those with PTSD or sensory sensitivities.

We understand that watching the fireworks on Independence Day is a time-honored tradition for many and that even if we recommend against it, many of you will be seeing them regardless. Therefore, we’d instead like to remind you that if you support a fireworks show, it’s doubly important for you to make sure the rest of the holiday is celebrated with sustainability and respect for our natural world in mind. To help you, we’ve come up with some eco-friendly ideas or fireworks alternatives to help make your 4th of July celebration a little greener. 

Sustainable Celebration Ideas: 

Host a Green BBQ. Barbecues are a staple of the 4th of July. Make yours greener by doing the following:

  • Choosing Local, Organic Foods. Support local farmers by visiting your local community’s farmers market and reduceing your carbon footprint.
  • Using Reusable Utensils and Plates. Ditch traditional plastics in favor of eco-friendly options like bamboo, biodegradable paper, or compostable sugarcane products.
  • Setting Up Recycling Stations. Make it easy for guests to recycle cans, bottles, and other materials. Unsure what goes where? Check out our LA City Sanitation Recycling Guide
  • For more detailed info on the best ways to host a green barbeque, check out our guide for greening up your backyard barbecues and block parties!

Go to a Laser Light Show. Laser light shows are a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative to fireworks. They offer a spectacular visual experience without the environmental drawbacks. Here are two free local events ending with spectacular light shows that we recommend:

  • Council District 7 Drone Show: For the third year in a row, LA City’s District 7 is holding a 4th of July festival on June 30th from 5pm to 10pm which caps off with a dazzling drone-based light show. The festival will feature live music, food, vendors, activities for kids of all ages, and resource booths regarding local City programs.

Attend a Community Block Party. The 4th of July brings the whole community out, and there are usually celebrations around every corner. Reach out to your local neighborhood watch group or community leaders to find the nearest block party.

We hope that you’ll think twice about spending your Independence Day evening navigating overcrowded parks and fireworks venues – in our minds, both getting to the shows and the shows themselves are more trouble than they’re worth. There’s a whole world of other ways to celebrate that is out there for you to explore and we hope that we’ve inspired you to take that first step. Happy Independence Day, Angelenos!
Have a fun, sustainable Independence Day tradition that you do instead of fireworks? We’d love to hear about it and possibly spotlight – send us an email at lastormwater@lacity.org.