Fireworks Laws In MA: What's Legal On July 4th In 2026

Before investing in fireworks for the Fourth of July and the 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence, Massachusetts residents should check both state and local laws.

Both the types of fireworks consumers can possess and when they can buy and use them have been significantly deregulated over the past two decades. Many states also allow the use of fireworks on the days on either side of the 4th of July and other major holidays.

Fireworks use in neighborhoods can become contentious. In states with permissive fireworks laws, some cities and counties have set stricter rules, including bans on fireworks in certain neighborhoods, parks, beaches, downtown areas or fire-prone zones. Local restrictions may also change because of drought, dry weather or wildfire risk.

What's Legal In Massachusetts?

Not much.

Massachusetts law prohibits the possession, use or sale of fireworks without the proper license and certification.

The law applies even to fireworks that were purchased lawfully in another state.

The penalties for illegal fireworks sales and possession can be severe.

Unlawful sale of fireworks

• Penalty: Fine or imprisonment or both, and confiscation
• Fine: $100 to $1000
• Imprisonment: Maximum of 1 year
• Seizure of fireworks: Mandatory
• Who can arrest? Any officer qualified to serve criminal process.
• Must an officer arrest? No. Statute says the officer may arrest without a warrant.
• Must an officer seize the fireworks? Yes, the statute says the officer shall seize any fire-
works.

Unlawful possession or use of fireworks

• Penalty: Fine and confiscation only
• Fine: $10 to $100
• Seizure of fireworks: Mandatory
• Who can seize? Any officer qualified to serve criminal process.
• May an officer arrest? For possession, no. The statute only provides for a fine upon convic-
tion and automatic confiscation of fireworks.
• Must an officer seize the fireworks? Yes, the statute says the officer shall seize any fire-
works.

Fireworks will be seized and then destroyed.

What Other States Allow

If you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to find out ahead of time what fireworks are allowed at your destination. The American Pyrotechnics Association says state fireworks laws fall into several broad categories.

States allowing all consumer fireworks: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

States and D.C. allowing “safe and sane” fireworks: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wisconsin.

States allowing novelty fireworks only: Illinois and Vermont.

State prohibiting consumer fireworks: Massachusetts.

What ‘Safe And Sane’ Means

“Safe and sane” generally refers to hand-held or ground-based fireworks that do not fly into the air or explode. These may include items such as fountains, sparklers or other limited devices, depending on state law.

The exact rules differ by state. A firework that is legal in one state may be illegal in another. A firework that is sold legally in one community may also be banned in a neighboring city or county.

Fireworks Safety Tips

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that fireworks were involved in 14,700 injuries and 11 deaths in 2024. Those ER visits included about 1,700 seeking treatment for injuries involving sparklers. Adults ages 25 to 44 accounted for the largest share of injuries, followed by people ages 15 to 24. Hands and fingers were the most commonly injured body parts, and burns were the most common type of injury.

Federal safety officials recommend that consumers:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that did not fully ignite.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Douse used fireworks with water before throwing them away.
• Officials also warn that sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and can cause serious burns.

Why Fireworks For The 4th

Fireworks have always been part of Independence Day celebrations.

After the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that Independence Day “ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

The first Independence Day fireworks display occurred on July 4, 1777. They came in only one color — orange — back then, according to the Smithsonian Institution. Today, they light up the sky with red, white and blue, the color of the U.S. flag, but also other colors.

At the turn of the century, about a third of firework displays were professional shows, according to Scientific American.

The gradual deregulation occurred partly to tap lost tax revenue from residents crossing state lines to buy fireworks in states with more lenient laws, but also because of lax enforcement.