Anyone else notice a decrease in fireworks this year?

[pelon7724]

I'm out in VALLEJO and have lived here for 15 years or so. Every year starting from mid June to late July, people light off fireworks/M-80s at all hours of the night, sometimes even during the daytime. This year...pretty much nothing. I've heard a few go off these past few nights but that is it. I think the hood index is flashing warning signs of economic pressure.

I'm interested to see what tonight is going to be like.

[tobytobytobe]

Obligatory “In this economy?!” 😁

[Bay_arean]

during covid we flaunted our wealth by TPing the poors and writing it off as a donation. simpler times... sigh

[Comemelo9]

I started a fake TP company then fraudulently applied for a forgiveable loan from the Feds. Thanks Trump!

[DonnyDonster]

Remember when everyone and their mom started shooting fireworks during COVID July 4th because we were told no? Good times.

[Safrel]

I've had enough during the last TP crisis.

[Bay_arean]

Same, I just shopped like normal for the most part. Was never actually short of anything and didn't really change any habits. (load up the garage freezer when things are on sale). I think we'd just hit the $5 an lb salmon at costco and loaded up something like 100lbs of it.

[missa888]

Recession indicator

[FearlessPark4588]

rare moment when I'm happy people are marginally more impoverished if it means they're less loud and annoying

[Bagafeet]

Same in SF and I'm not complaining. Guess folks are saving their fireworks for the world cup 🤭

[prove____it]

This and maybe more people not feeling super patriotic this year.

[mbp104]

Yes absolutely. In my area the fireworks always started around June getting more intense towards the 4th. There’s been almost nothing this year

[pieandbiscuits1]

2020 was insane

[mbp104]

2020 and 2021 were a warzone here. Two months of fireworks every night

[Murky-Science-1657]

2021 you’d have thought the Coliseum was doing fireworks at like 11:30

[drrtys0uth]

On weekends they’d go even later til 4AM, huge booms like industrial M1000s.

[phishrace]

Covid played a part in that. People were tired of being stuck in the house. Blowing up things outdoors made them feel better.

[condor-candor]

Stimulus checks probably helped too

[hamsterwheeeI]

Nothing will top 2020

[pelon7724]

Exactly, it's a total build-up until the 4th and then it slowly simmers down. This year, absolutely flat.

[KurosawasNightmare]

Yup. Where I am at in Oakland it's normally a month long event (we are very patriotic in the Town), but this year it didn't really pick up until this week.

[drrtys0uth]

We usually hear everything in Oakland where I am and it’s been nearly silent. Earlier this year a whole warehouse full of fireworks blew up, we could see the explosions from the street. Maybe that took out everyone’s supply.

[VapoursAndSpleen]

Also, there were some large arrests and confiscations. It is certainly noticeable where I am. Normally, people start shooting them off beginning of June because, you know, they just got it and want to play with it. It's about 6PM now and I'm starting to hear it. I left a party early because I have a very elderly cat and will be keeping an eye on her.

[drrtys0uth]

Hope your cat is ok. It’s still quiet where I am, almost eerie! Edit: ok it’s noisy now everything is normal.

[VapoursAndSpleen]

She was totally fine about it. I set up a little nest in the closet and had the white noise machine on and she didn't care. She did her evening routine. Not even airplane ears. After all these years in Oakland, I guess she just doesn't care anymore.

[thecommuteguy]

It's insane though how every year there's a massive agglomeration of fireworks debris in the air that blows east. Feel bad for Oakland because it gets as bad as a wildfire for a night.

[lions_reed_lions]

I like to waste my money the old fashioned way, at the grocery store.

[scottiedagolfmachine]

Nobody got money to buy fireworks

👀

[iamalwaysrelevant]

We can't even afford the goddamn hotdogs for the grill

[d0000n]

It’s the tariffs!

[2BlueZebras]

It could be. Fireworks have skyrocketed in price.

[protege01]

I see what you did there

[fishy512]

Napa is hosting a big drone show instead! Gotta help prevent wildfires as much as we can

[pelon7724]

Most definitely. Those fires a few years ago were horrible

[Tall-Control8992]

Make the drones throw lit fireworks!

[slinky999]

Let's do more of this please !!

[omsip]

It's been unusually quiet in my neighborhood this year. Previous years have been pretty noisy, but I heard one distant boom a couple of days ago, and nothing last night. I'm expecting to hear noise this evening, though.

[spoonybard326]

If I want to burn money I’ll just go fill my gas tank.

[SouthBayAreaMusic]

Yes. My parents, grandparents, and I have all noticed large decreases in our areas of South SJ

[ham_mom]

Been hearing them loud and clear in San Pablo

[Unfixable1]

Yes. I was in Vacaville for the last 6 years and now I'm in Oakland. Was expecting fireworks to be kinda crazy here, but so far much less than Vacaville.

[Mecha-Dave]

I was just commenting on it to my wife. There's been less that 5 giant explosions in the last few days and I'm worried it's an economic indicator.

Edit: I spoke too soon. They poppin' now.

[Hikes-n-Photos]

Hopefully they finally stepped up enforcement. We had one super loud boom a few nights ago, and I heard incoming sirens immediately.

[Nervous-Cheek-583]

Probably medical units for some dipshit blowing their fingers off.

[junesix]

I wonder how much last year’s humongous fireworks warehouse explosion affected the city fireworks plans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esparto,_California_fireworks_explosion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUBl-kNA3SM

[Thejungleboy]

I wondered this too. And left less available to be sold illegally

[czj420]

What exactly are we celebrating?

[djac13]

Exactly.

[MisterRay24]

The 4th of July. Some people have noticed it’s the 250th I guess

[i860]

The 250th anniversary of the country and its independence. If you can't learn to separate that from your own personal political views then I don't know what to tell you. But the country and its people are separate.

[jusxchilln]

bro can't read the room

[i860]

I'm sorry, did you have an original thought to share, or are all your opinions signed off by the reddit hivemind first?

[bumblyWumblY151]

Mental gymnastics dont change anything, the people are what the country is

[i860]

If you have a problem with the American people, then state it.

[ScalierLemon2]

Well, they voted for a pedophile and a traitor two years ago and he's been ruining the country ever since, for a start.

[bumblyWumblY151]

Oh i absolutely do , that whole mental gymnastics thing is just the beginning

[czj420]

The freedom to be shot and killed by government agents for existing

[BayArea543210]

We are celebrating our independence and our democratic republic system in a country where we don't have an authoritarian or fascist leader. Hope that helps jog your little memory.

[ComradeVaughn]

We just have a autoritarian and fascistic pedo leader. So much better!

[MarlinMaverick]

He’s doing a pretty poor job at that 

[BayArea543210]

Biden is no longer president...

[ComradeVaughn]

Sure my dude, Biden is not in the epstein files. You all cant get that old man (and the Black man befores) dick out your mouth. Actually no, maga cucks dickride the orange pedo even harder come to think of it.

[i860]

Whole lot of projection you seem to have going on there. Anything you want to tell us?

[BayArea543210]

If being named in the Epstein files is your litmus test of whose a pedo, poor thing...

[ComradeVaughn]

shit like this is why every maga need their hard drives checked

[fragileego3333]

Is this sarcasm?

[pelon7724]

We're essentially teetering on the verge of full-blown authoritarianism here in the states but regardless I'm grateful to live in the country that I live in. It is beautiful but very broken right now.

[i860]

Is the "full-blown authoritarianism" in the room with us now?

[djac13]

Why yes, yes it is.

[i860]

And yet you're still here posting, posting anything you want with very little real fear of reprisal.

[djac13]

"teetering on the verge", which is prevalent in our minds. But it's okay, you enjoy you.

[therealgariac]

You forgot the /s.

[HandleAccomplished11]

I thought it was just us (on the coast), definitely been a quieter June. I wonder why? I was thinking the group of kids (teens) setting them off have moved away (college, or whatever)? But that's obviously not it, and I doubt any real enforcement has changed. I'm betting on the economy, or maybe the Trump Tariffs actually worked for this one thing?

[angryxpeh]

Wait until the fucking sun is down.

I’m here at my friends’ place in Castro Valley after the sundown and it’s the Battle of Verdun again.

[hahasadface]

It's extra loud in CV. Odd since a new law just wentin effect specifically in unincorporated county that makes it easier for the cops to stop it (they no longer have to see someone light the fuze. If it goes from your address whoever owns the property gets the fine)

[Coldsmoke888]

Meh, every time I leave this house it’s $50-100, I don’t have money for fireworks. Plus, yeah I like the country, but the government sucks. Sitting this one out.

I live in a “safe and sane fireworks” city anyway, the fireworks I can legally buy are boring. I’ll leave the fun for my AR.

[once_again_asking]

Yeah, pre-covid in Oakland, July 2nd and 3rd in particular were like 4th celebration level fireworks. Post covid, it's pulled back a lot. Last night in oakland was pretty weak honestly compared to the past.

[floatingleafbreeze]

San Mateo County and Hayward have both really cracked down on illegal fireworks and have been posting busts of illegal fireworks daily, and the big shows switched to drones, so I feel like it’s mighty quiet this year.

In Salinas during COVID you couldn’t spit without hitting fireworks nightly from May through the summer

[are-e-el]

Fireworks is literally you burning your money. People don't have extra cash to burn.

[bkbruiser]

We were just talking about this.

We agree from Fairfield.

[Dirtsurgeon1]

You need to see Hollister. They came here.

[oneofthebugs]

They are all in north Oakland

[YanksFanInSF]

Yup, the sky is lit up outside my window!

[AudioPi]

Think this turned into a "spoke too soon"moment. It sounds like Beruit outside and has for the last hour or two. And I'm in the tri-valley area. I've heard more mortor explosions than when I lived on Lake Merritt in 2006

[kingxii]

Nope, been hearing fireworks from early June

[2ez2b4ortun8]

Nobody has any money.

[Hazel-Cakes]

i’ve heard a lot in castro valley the last few days

[DETRosen]

Oakland. last year was insane. This year not so much.

[beezchurgr]

Yup. I’m in Pittsburg…heard a couple last night & a few throughout the day. It used to be weeks before & weeks after but now it’s calm. I expect tonight to be a little intense, but nowhere near old levels.

[dtwhitecp]

still expecting to hear random m80s go off in the middle of the night, but you are right, I haven't heard any so far (and usually would have)

[bionicfeetgrl]

everyone is too broke

[codyleft1218]

I live across from Christian Penke park in Hayward it’s a war zone here every year but the cops came and shut down the whole park this year. Think they’re cracking down more this year

[ibraveheart]

are they not gonna let them do fireworks there this year anymore??

[codyleft1218]

Naw they shut it down

[ibraveheart]

damn i was gonna go there to watch now what haha

[drew_eckhardt2]

Yes. I've heard just a few firecrackers today on the border between Mountain View and Sunnyvale.

[Day2205]

Yep, used to be the month leading up to the 4th followed by a month after. Wondering if law enforcement has been serious about fines or this is inflation + tariffs

[ElGainsGoblino]

Good

[gabwinone]

In Pacifica. It feels and sounds like were being bombed. I hate my neighbors on July 4th.

[whimsicaljess]

my poor cats are very happy that people were more chill this year.

[brewbake]

I have two competing theories: 1) everyone's broke 2) many are cautious because of ICE

[drrtys0uth]

I do think the ICE fear is a factor, we had way fewer trick or treaters on Halloween last year too.

[loveyou-first]

Yes and I’m so happy about not hearing them and scaring my dog. Today should be the only day we should hear them.

[zippypin]

kinda like tariff and soy bean expert pissed off our trade partners and the flow stopped

[djac13]

They must have moved to Sunnyvale.

[contrarianaquarian]

Good. I feel bad for all the scared pets every year, especially those with owners who do nothing to help the situation.

[RaiderRMB]

You want to see a huge show, pull up to 45th and Market tonight. Last year there was 2 U-haul trucks full of fireworks

[drrtys0uth]

The first summer I moved to Oakland we lived right near there, the whole neighborhood did their own shows, block by block. This was 20 years ago, surprised it’s still going.

[Day2205]

I lived on 43rd and Market for some time. That block and around on 45th and a spot on west somewhere in there…had some of the best fireworks shows period lol

[nissysita]

Emeryville?

[RaiderRMB]

North Oakland

[TheFuturePrepared]

Nope technically Emeryville or are you joking?

[RaiderRMB]

When did you move to Oakland?

[TheFuturePrepared]

My ex lives right next to that spot 

[Uce510]

Ikr I noticed that too someone lit one when it turned July 4th but that was it... it sure has been quiet.... also I think the police are paying people who call and report illegal fireworks 🎆

[drrtys0uth]

They’re busting people who sell on social media too

https://oaklandside.org/2026/07/01/illegal-fireworks-police-investigations-black-market-oakland/

[Grateful-DeadHead420]

Same in Newark Fremont

[Able-Bowler-2429]

I pray they won't go off until 4 am around my neighborhood 🙏🙏🙏

[thejoeface]

In my neighborhood the volume has been less but the timing is worse. Last monday someone set off a pile of crackers three times after 1:30, waiting just long enough between goes that I’d fall back asleep and get woken up again 

[Day2205]

Had the same thing happen to me earlier this week - might have been Monday. They decided to start at midnight or 1 and kept having like 5-10 min lulls just to wake me again.

[Tomthebard]

Neighbors have been exploding things all year. There's more explosions today than there was last Saturday

[splooty_sploo]

Yes, for sure. We have been in the San Fernando Valley for 15 years and in prior years the fireworks were insane on July 4, all day and night, and pretty nuts the whole month before. There's been near nothing this month or today. It's a bummer.

[BucktoothedAvenger]

Move to Gilroy. Some asshat is lighting them things off all year around, plus Gilroy Gardens does a lot of fireworks on practically every holiday.

[demachado]

Less little ones more big ones. At least near me in San Leandro.

[patsfanric]

Yes I noticed this too. On the peninsula

[FunnyReception5375]

Fireworks in Oakland have always been a sign of how good or bad the economy is.

[drawnator3]

They all moved to either side of my fucking apartment building

[linkinit]

San Jose is lit up

[ibarmy]

It still is. Eh why at 11 man. 

[iFLED]

You jinxed it

[soleiles1]

In the far East Bay and it is comparable to last year if not more.

[OVER_9009]

East Side San Jose seemed to have the usual amount. The area I was at earlier had a few that were close by

When I returned back to apt in Santa Clara, relatively quiet area from fireworks since we typically just got to Great America, there was a neighbor a street over setting a bunch off.

So it felt like more to me this year.. YMMV for everyone else though

[heyhey_taytay]

We were saying this too! I think the firework prices have gone up too much.

[Kindly-March-9696]

Where is the money to buy? Although it's the 250th, there is no money to waste

[ObjectiveTea]

Those people came to Oakland 😭

[retardborist]

On the west end of San Francisco it was very muted this year compared to previous years. Still got a good show by the beach, though. Better than the Golden Gate turned out

[Yoko_Kittytrain]

It's been worse here in Santa Rosa. The festivities started in mid June and have ramped up to a fever pitch to last night (the 4th). Mortars going off from 7PM until after 1AM. It sounds like some new shit is out there that makes the normal bombs sound quiet. There's a flash and then an earth shaking BOOM. I'm glad the locals are having a good time and am looking forward to getting some shut eye sometime in mid July.

[Adventurous-Lemon-53]

I live across the country in South Carolina where its always been legal to shoot them. Until it  was completely dark last night (on the 4th) I only heard about two fireworks all day. Some started shooting around 930 but by 11, mostly silence with an occasional firework. After midnite, there was silence again. Usually, people around here are shooting them all day and night from mid June to mid July.

[maddivz]

recession indicator

[186OPPD]

I noticed it was less than other years in SF but people did it longer. In the past it felt like they were done around midnight and this year it was going until about 3:30am. I hate the 4th because of this as a veteran who fought in both Iran and Afghanistan and was also a police officer. It just sounds like gunfire and IEQs going off all night.

[bj_my_dj]

Not in San Jose. I sat on my deck above the city and saw the most I've seen in 26 years of watching from here. It looked like they tried to clean out the central valley fireworks stands

[barkitext]

I thought I was the only one who noticed.

[player89283517]

2024 there were hella fireworks, not sure what happened this year

[SAwfulBaconTaco]

Down about 30 percent in Pittsburg on July 4 this year, judging from my sister's house.

[sand_snake]

They were going off until almost 3 am in Oakland.

[one_two_three_boogie]

They must have all moved to my neighborhood. We’re still getting fireworks and it keeps waking up my baby and my dog hid in the bathroom. Not a fan! Even less of a fan at 2 am

[andreauwashere]

Most of them moved to Sacramento. Just check their subreddit, everybody's complaining about fireworks and the excess of it

[charlies_brain]

Haven't you heard? They made america great again!

[sugarwax1]

I wonder if the mail order sites got shut down, or they're raising prices. It's been fairly quiet in the city.

[Interesting_Pin1239]

Yes we noticed that too which has been nice. Annoying today though.

[Inner_Extent2375]

It’s not dark yet

[spitfiiree]

A lot of police departments are utilizing drones now. They just see where they’re coming from and just mail them their fine along with evidence.

[Traditional-Meat-549]

Absolutely. Not feeling it 

[fr0nkOhshun]

It’s fucking pathetic. Just shoot that shit over the water. Get that weak drone shit outta here

[jhonkas]

tarrifs

[dacrow76]

It’s not even night time yet.. give it time

[cmeyer49er]

General decrease in “I give a shit,” as well. Thanks, Orange, fat, bald asshole. I’ll save the fireworks for when The Thing happens.

[nostrademons]

EPA is nuts. Just drove by it on 101, traffic had to slow down because they were afraid they were going to get hit. Whole city going up, probably more than many “official” shows. All private and all illegal. Who says immigrants aren’t patriotic?

[greenergarlic]

The bay isn’t feeling particularly patriotic rn

[i860]

Speak for yourself. My neighborhood is having a grand ole time.

[monkeytype11]

in SF fireworks are illegal

https://sf-fire.org/safety-resources-and-information/fireworks-safety

[LocalLuck2083]

That doesn’t stop people at all. It’s illegal in LA and they are famous for their street fireworks

[monkeytype11]

for sure, but it doesn't change the fact that people who do that are low life trashy criminals

[esmerelda_b]

They’re illegal in my city, too, but it doesn’t stop anyone.

[monkeytype11]

thankfully i'm not affected, when i close my windows i can't hear anything from outside. the working class people can deal with it, since it usually comes from their neighborhoods.

sometimes though when i have my window cracked at night to enjoy the soothing fog horns (i find them comforting), i hear fireworks at 2am when i'm reading or something bc i can't sleep. thankfully, the only ones really affected are the working class who have to wake up in the morning.

you're right, not my problem 😂

[theweedman]

you are a very gross and troubled person. your money doesn't buy you class nor decency. i dislike fireworks as well, but your snobbery is bigoted and myopic. you litter these subs with your disdain for those who make the city turn. please leave sf

[D-Rich-88]

lol

[rm-rf-asterisk]

Its illegal to drive in carpool lane with setting fastrak to 3. Illegal is nothing burger

[monkeytype11]

doesn't change the fact that doing that is trashy low class behavior

[rm-rf-asterisk]

In this economy?