There have been more than 550 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past five years. Six firefighters were injured in these incidents, and damages were estimated at nearly $1 million.
Between 2020 and 2024, Massachusetts medical facilities treated more than 200 people for burns and other injuries associated with fireworks. While this number is significant, Massachusetts' per capita fireworks injury rate is about one-fifth the national average. This is because 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.
Summer 2025 Permitted Fireworks Displays (as of 8/18/25)
| Display City | Date | Time | Display Location | Rain Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taunton | 8/21/2025 | 8:10 PM | Hopewell Park – 15 Hamilton St. | 8/28/2025 |
| Worcester | 8/22/2025 | Post game | Outfield Polar Park – Polar Park Stadium | N/A |
| Salisbury | 8/23/2025 | 10:15 PM | Salisbury Beach – barge 1000’ ft from shore | N/A |
| Southborough | 8/23/2025 | 8:30 PM | Margaret Neary School Field – 53 Parkerville Rd. | 8/24/2025 |
| Townsend | 8/23/2025 | 9:00 PM | NSGC Driving Range – 40 Scales Lane | 8/24/2025 |
| Boston | 8/28/2025 | 8:00 PM | Barge off Long Wharf | 8/29/2025 |
| Great Barrington | 8/29/2025 | 9:00 PM | Deerwood Circle | 8/31/2025 |
| Charlton | 8/30/2025 | 9:00 PM | Bay Path Regional Technical HS – Muggett Hill Rd. | 8/31/2025 |
| Gloucester | 8/30/2025 | 9:15 PM | Fort Area – Stage Fort Park – 1 Hough Ave. | 9/1/2025 |
| Great Barrington | 8/30/2025 | 9:30 PM | 60 Bridge St. | TBD |
| Ludlow | 8/30/2025 | 9:00 PM | Athletic Field – 438 Windsor St. | 8/31/2025 |
| Salisbury | 8/30/2025 | 10:15 PM | Salisbury Beach – barge 1000’ ft from shore | N/A |
| Mashpee | 8/31/2025 | 9:15 PM | Willowbend Country Club - On golf course – 130 Willowbend Dr. | N/A |
| Sterling | 9/05/2025 | 9:45 PM | Sterling Airport – 121 Greenland Rd. | 9/6/2025 |
| Worcester | 9/05/2025 | Post game | Outfield Polar Park – Polar Park Stadium | N/A |
| Adams | 9/13/2025 | 9:00 PM | Soldiers Memorial Field – Lincoln St. | 9/14/2025 |
| Hopkinton | 9/13/2025 | 7:45 PM | High School Athletic Fields – 90 Hayden Rowe St. | 9/20/2025 |
| Medford | 9/13/2025 | 8:30 PM | Barge in Mystic River – Constitution Way | 9/14/2025 |
| Worcester | 9/19/2025 | Post game | Outfield Polar Park – Polar Park Stadium | N/A |
| Billerica | 9/20/2025 | 8:10 PM | Marshall Middle School – 15 Floyd St. | N/A |
Sparklers Are as Dangerous as Other Fireworks
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 reported that “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
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Open PDF file, 188.16 KB, Fireworks Safety (English, PDF 188.16 KB)
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Open PDF file, 180.1 KB, Summary of Massachusetts Fireworks Law (English, PDF 180.1 KB)
Info for Fire Departments and Industry Professionals
Only licensed professionals are permitted to shoot fireworks in Massachusetts. This is the main reason that Massachusetts' fireworks injury rate is about 1/5 the national rate.
DFS has information for the fireworks industry and for fire prevention officers who enforce the state's fireworks laws and safety regulations.
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.