San Jose urges residents to attend drone show, official events amid strict fireworks ban

Hoping to steer the public away from fireworks amid increased hazards, San Jose officials are reminding residents that all fireworks are illegal in the city and that violations of those laws carry stiff fines.

So they are encouraging participation in city-sanctioned celebrations this Fourth of July, including a massive, family-friendly drone show at Lake Cunningham Park and a permitted baseball pyrotechnic display.

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The push for official events comes alongside a zero-tolerance reminder from city leaders that all consumer fireworks remain strictly banned. The warnings follow last year’s cancellation of the city’s traditional fireworks show at Lake Cunningham, which was replaced by a drone display after a massive explosion at a Yolo County pyrotechnics warehouse – a pivot the city is continuing this summer.

Councilmember Domingo Candelas said a similar drone show last year successfully “deterred the use of fireworks,” which is why the city is bringing the program back to the lake with expanded festivities, including water slides, food vendors, mariachi music, and “lucha libre” Mexican-style wrestling.

“We want thousands of people to come out and celebrate, but as the mayor mentioned, we want to be able to have all five fingers – on each hand,” Candelas said.

For those heading to the official Lake Cunningham celebration, officials noted no parking is available at the park. Instead, a free public shuttle will run from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. out of the JC Penney parking lot at Eastridge Mall. Attendees also are encouraged to take public transit. The drone show is expected to begin around 9 p.m.

For residents who still want to see a traditional fireworks display, the San Jose Giants minor league baseball team will host permitted, post-game fireworks at Excite Ballpark on July 3 and July 4. Tickets are required.

While the city is providing these safer holiday alternatives, officials emphasize that strict enforcement will remain due to heightened safety risks.

San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien warned that fire dangers are especially heightened this season. He explained that heavy winter rains have pushed seasonal grasses to “maximum density,” fueling an early and volatile start to the fire season. So far this year, San Jose fire crews have already responded to more than 700 vegetation fires and over 400 structure fires.

“The threat of fire is very real in San Jose,” Sapien said. “The threat that fireworks present — those ignition sources that get introduced into our environment — will start fires, and they will threaten the lives and property of our residents.”

Violating San Jose’s fireworks laws carries steep consequences. A first offense entails a $1,000 fine, escalating to $2,000 for a second violation and $3,000 for subsequent offenses. Possession of illegal fireworks can result in fines of up to $100,000, while spectators caught watching illegal displays can be penalized up to $500. Under the city’s social host ordinance, property owners can also be fined if illegal fireworks are lit on their premises.

Mayor Matt Mahan said aside from injury risks, illegal pyrotechnic use bogs down public safety resources.

“Illegal fireworks can not only hurt you and others around you, but it also consumes our precious and limited emergency response capacity,” Mahan said. “Reducing the number of calls for illegal fireworks allows our police officers and firefighters to respond to other calls and keep our community safe.”

To monitor neighborhoods, the city will deploy enforcement drones to capture real-time aerial footage of violators, while urging residents to report illegal activity via the San Jose 311 app.

“There’s nothing patriotic about turning a neighborhood into a danger zone,” Assistant Police Chief Ali Miri said, noting that the blasts also trigger PTSD symptoms in veterans and panic local pets. Fireworks, he said, “cause devastating injuries, damage homes and vehicles, spark fires, and create fear in neighborhoods that deserve peace.”

Beyond fireworks enforcement, police are also reminding the public to travel responsibly to and from celebrations, “whether that means designating a sober driver, using a rideshare service, or arranging alternative transportation.”