A Kinder Fourth of July: Cities Embrace Fireworks-Free, Eco-Friendly Celebrations

You don’t need explosives to celebrate Independence Day with a bang—or a sparkle. Cities across the country are swapping fireworks for dazzling drone light shows, offering all the color and choreography without the chaos. These compassionate displays are not only mesmerizing but also safe for animals, people with post-traumatic stress disorder, and the environment.

Compassionate Cities Go Fireworks-Free This Fourth of July

Below are just a few cities across the U.S. that are joining in on the fireworks-free fun and leading the way to a more compassionate holiday for all of us. In these cities, bombs won’t be bursting in air. Instead, there will be patriotic drone shows, live music festivals, parades, and other animal-friendly entertainment.

• Angel Fire, New Mexico
• Aspen, Colorado
• Flagstaff, Arizona
• Goleta, California
• Golden, Colorado
• La Jolla, California
• Lakewood, Colorado
• Lawrence, Kansas
• Lincoln City, Oregon
• Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
• Napa, California
• Park City, Utah
• Pasadena, California
• Redwood City, California
• Renton, Washington
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Tigard, Oregon
• Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
• Waynesboro, Virginia (July 12)

Fireworks Are Fear-Inducing—Not Festive    

It’s time to let fireworks fizzle, as these noisy spectacles can be an anxiety-inducing nightmare for animals. Every year, animal shelters across the country report an uptick in lost dogs in the days surrounding July Fourth, and for many animals and their guardians, the holiday ends in tragedy. Last year, a horse in Tucson, AZ, died due to what her guardian said was the overwhelming stress caused by nearby fireworks, and a dog in Orange County, FL, lost the use of his hind legs after he was hit by a car when he ran away from home amid fireworks. In 2023, a dog died after fireworks caused a house fire in Arizona. In California, a dog fleeing from a similar fire was hit and killed by a car, and two dogs who belonged to the same police K-9 unit went missing just days apart after being frightened by fireworks. Fireworks can also terrify and even kill wildlife, and be extremely traumatic for veterans and others who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Fireworks-Free Ways to Light Up the Sky on the Fourth of July 

No drone show near you? No problem! You can still light up the night with glow-in-the-dark bubbles, glow stick parties, or even a projector light show in your backyard. Not only are these options festive, they’re also a great way to start a new tradition—one that respects everyone, including companion animals and local wildlife.

Keep Your Companions Safe This Fourth of July

If your city isn’t doing a fireworks-free Fourth, here are some ways you can help protect your companion animals:

• Never leave animals outside. Dogs kept chained or penned outdoors are in danger of hanging themselves if they leap over fences or of being lost, injured, or killed while trying to flee from the noises.
• Never take animals with you to watch fireworks displays! If you know in advance that there will be fireworks in your area, stay home with your animals and try to help them feel safe.
• Close your windows and curtains. To help drown out the sounds, turn on fans and air-conditioning units as well as the TV or a radio that’s tuned to a classical music station.
• Purchase a ThunderShirt, which can help your dog or cat cope with the stress of the fireworks. Other ways to keep animals calm include playing specially composed music from iCalmPet and giving them melatonin, a natural supplement that’s widely available at low cost. (Consult your veterinarian first and for safe dosage, and be sure never to buy melatonin sweetened with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.)
• Make sure that your animal companion is microchipped (registered with your current information) and wearing a collar or a harness with an up-to-date identification tag, just in case they become separated from you.
• If weather permits, take dogs for a long walk or a romp in a dog park before fireworks start in order to help tire them out and reduce their anxiety.
• Note that dogs should only be taken outdoors on a leash during the summer. If someone sets off a firecracker, your dog might become frightened and take flight, jumping fences and disappearing from sight quickly.
• If you witness someone setting off fireworks illegally, call authorities right away.