Long Beach 'Big Bang on the Bay' Fireworks Show Canceled After Coastal Commission Vote

Organizers say the event's signature fireworks display has been nixed due to environmental concerns, leaving them to consider a costly drone show alternative.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:07am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted blues and grays, depicting a foggy bay at dusk. The silhouettes of distant buildings and boats can be seen through the haze, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.The cancellation of Long Beach's beloved 'Big Bang on the Bay' fireworks display highlights the ongoing tension between environmental preservation and cherished community traditions.Long Beach Today

The annual 'Big Bang on the Bay' celebration in Long Beach, California, which has drawn thousands for its Independence Day fireworks display since 2011, will not include the signature pyrotechnics this year after a unanimous decision by the California Coastal Commission to deny a permit. The commission cited environmental impacts on birds, marine debris, and water quality as reasons for the cancellation, despite letters of support from local, state, and federal leaders.

Why it matters

The 'Big Bang on the Bay' event has become a beloved community tradition, raising millions of dollars for local youth programs over the years. The Coastal Commission's decision to phase out the fireworks display in favor of a more environmentally friendly drone show alternative has left organizers concerned about the event's future viability and ability to continue supporting important community initiatives.

The details

According to event organizer John Morris, the Coastal Commission's decision is tied to conditions put in place in a 2025 permit that allowed fireworks for that year but required organizers to eliminate them starting in 2026 and consider alternatives like drone shows. A January 2026 rejection letter further stated that any request to bring fireworks back would conflict with those existing permit conditions. Morris says a drone show large enough for crowds to see would require about 1,000 drones and cost roughly $200,000, compared to about $50,000 for fireworks, which would eliminate the event's ability to raise money for local youth programs.

  • The 'Big Bang on the Bay' celebration has been an annual Independence Day tradition in Long Beach since 2011.
  • In 2025, the California Coastal Commission issued a permit allowing fireworks for that year, but required organizers to eliminate fireworks starting in 2026 and consider alternatives like drone shows.
  • In January 2026, the Coastal Commission rejected a request to bring fireworks back, stating it would conflict with the existing permit conditions.

The players

John Morris

The event organizer and owner of a nearby restaurant who says the drone show alternative is not financially realistic for the event.

California Coastal Commission

The state agency that unanimously voted to deny a permit for the fireworks display, citing environmental concerns.

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What they’re saying

“The community loses big time.”

— John Morris, Event Organizer

“It was 'unfortunate that Mr. Morris has chosen to cancel this event,' adding that it had hoped the fundraiser would continue while complying with the terms of a previously approved permit.”

— California Coastal Commission

What’s next

Organizers are considering alternative options, such as a drone light show, but say the higher cost would eliminate the event's ability to raise money for local youth programs.

The takeaway

The Coastal Commission's decision to phase out the fireworks display in favor of a more environmentally friendly alternative has left organizers concerned about the event's future viability and ability to continue supporting important community initiatives, highlighting the ongoing tension between environmental preservation and community traditions.