There have been more than 500 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past five years. Seven firefighters were injured in these incidents, and damages were estimated at more than $1.5 million.
Between 2019 and 2023, Massachusetts medical facilities treated more than 200 people for burns and other injuries associated with fireworks. Two dozen people were treated for severe burn injuries that covered 5% or more of the victim’s body.
Massachusetts law prohibits the possession, use, and sale of fireworks without a permit and certification. The law applies even if you buy them legally in another state. Leave fireworks to the professionals and see a great professional fireworks display this year.
Updated List of Permitted Fireworks Displays (as of 8/29/24)
| Display City | Date | Time | Display Location | Rain Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 8/29/2024 | 8:00 PM | Ocean barge off Long Wharf | N/A |
| Lawrence | 8/30/2024 | 1:00 and 6:00 PM | Three Saints Feast – 20 Common St. | N/A |
| Worcester | 8/30/2024 | Post game | Polar Park Stadium – 122 Madison St. | TBD |
| Charlton | 8/31/2024 | 9:00 PM | Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical HS – Muggett Hill Rd. | 9/01/2024 |
| Colrain | 8/31/2024 | 8:00 PM | Mohawk Beach Drive | 9/01/2024 |
| Gloucester | 8/31/2024 | 9:30 PM | Stage Fort Park – Fort Area – 1 Hough Ave. | 9/02/2024 |
| Great Barrington | 8/31/2024 | 9:00 PM | Deerwood Circle | 9/01/2024 |
| Lawrence | 8/31/2024 | 7:00 to 8:00 PM | Three Saints Feast – 20 Common St. | N/A |
| Salisbury | 8/31/2024 | 10:15 PM | Salisbury Beach - barge 1000’ ft from shore | N/A |
| Lawrence | 9/01/2024 | 9:00 PM | Three Saints Feast – 20 Common St. | N/A |
| West Dennis | 9/01/2024 | 8:15 PM | West Dennis Beach – Davis Beach Rd. | 9/02/2024 |
| Sterling | 9/06/2024 | 9:45 PM | Sterling Airport – 121 Greenland Rd. | 9/07/2024 |
| Somerset | 9/07/2024 | 9:00 PM | 0 Pilot Drive | 9/08/2024 |
| Worcester | 9/13/2024 | Post game | Polar Park Stadium – 122 Madison St. | TBD |
| Hopkinton | 9/14/2024 | 7:45 PM | H.S. Athletic fields – 90 Hayden Rowe St. | 9/28/2024 |
| Medford | 9/14/2024 | 8:30 PM | Barge in Mystic River – Constitution Way | 9/15/2024 |
| Pembroke | 9/14/2024 | Dusk | Pembroke High School – 80 Learning Lane | 9/15/2024 |
| Lee | 9/20/2024 | 8:00 PM | LB Corporation grounds – 95 Marble St. | N/A |
| Haverhill | 9/21/2024 | 8:00 PM | Barge in Merrimack River – Ferry St. | 9/22/2024 |
| Arlington | 9/21/2024 | 8:00 PM | Barge on Spy Pond – Pond Lane | 9/28/2024 |
| Palmer | 9/21/2024 | 9:45 PM | 13th World Fright Park – 1701 Park St. | 9/22/2024 |
Sparklers Are No Exception
Fireworks and sparklers are not safe, especially around children. Sparklers burn at temperatures of over 1,800° Fahrenheit. This is hotter than the melting point of aluminum! Children suffer some of the most severe burn injuries caused by sparklers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said, “there were an estimated 1,600 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 900 with sparklers” in 2020. This accounted for almost 10% of all fireworks-related injuries that year. Of those 900 injuries from sparklers, 44% were to children under the age of 5.
In addition to causing injuries, sparklers are hot enough to cause fires -- even after they've been extinguished. In 2022, the unsafe disposal of sparklers caused a three-alarm fire in Dracut that displaced nine people.
Additional Resources
Info for Fire Departments and Industry Professionals
Fireworks use is illegal for everyone in Massachusetts except for licensed professionals. DFS has information for the fireworks industry and for fire prevention officers who enforce fireworks laws. Fire departments ensure that professional fireworks displays are safe for spectators and shooters.
For Fire Departments Only
DFS can provide technical, compliance, and enforcement support, 24/7, especially during the July 4th week. For immediate help call:
- 508-820-2000 (outside regular business hours)
- 978-567-3375 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- These numbers are for fire departments only. For citizen complaints about the illegal sale or use of fireworks please call your local police department at 9-1-1.
Visit the Blasting, explosives, and fireworks page for more information.
Confiscated Fireworks for Police and Fire Departments Only
To notify the State Police Bomb Squad of confiscated fireworks, fire and police departments (only) should call 978-567-3310 during business hours. For 24-hour emergencies or large quantities read this flyer on activating emergency resources. All other fireworks concerns should be addressed to your local police or fire department.