Santa Clara County Fourth of July fireworks to light up the sky

While some Fourth of July celebrations have been canceled, numerous cities and venues throughout Santa Clara County are going all out with festivities and fireworks.

There are eight light shows across the county ready to dazzle residents. San Jose is hosting the city’s first drone show at Lake Cunningham. The city had planned to shoot off fireworks at Lake Cunningham, but lost its reserve of fireworks in the Yolo County warehouse explosion Wednesday.

“The tragedy in Yolo County has affected multiple fireworks displays across the state,” Councilmember Domingo Candelas said statement. “While we have to cancel the fireworks, the celebration is still on.”

Cities like Sunnyvale have shifted to a festival this year, complete with carnival games and food. Last year the city hosted the county’s first drone show on July 4th, which it touted as safer and better for the environment compared to traditional fireworks.

But after thousands of people showed up unexpectedly, Sunnyvale spokesperson Rachel Davis said the city needed to rethink its budget, logistics and safety plans going forward.

“We are actively exploring holding a Sunnyvale drone show in 2026 for the United States Semiquincentennial,” Davis told San José Spotlight.

While Almaden and Sunnyvale’s light shows are a no go this year, Cupertino’s fireworks display has returned thank to a healthy budget.

Cupertino’s fireworks show, the only one in the West Valley, was canceled last year as the city grappled with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. The city is now projecting surpluses and can fund the $42,000 show set to light up the sky at 9:30 p.m.

Viewing spots include Creekside Park, Sedgwick Elementary School and Miller Avenue near Bollinger Road. The city will close road sections for cars from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., including parts of Miller, Atherwood and Hyde avenues; Disney, Phil, Stendhal, Willowgrove, Brookgrove and Ferngrove lanes; Howard Court, Shadygrove Drive and Calle de Barcelona.

Councilmember R “Ray” Wang said he’s looking forward to having the fireworks back, in addition to the pancake breakfast and children’s parade.

“There’s very few things that bring us all together, and that’s really what we should do, is keep promoting those activities that are more inclusive, that are more encompassing,” he told San José Spotlight.

Gilroy, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View and Santa Clara also plan to have fireworks displays.

Erica Ray, public information specialist with the Santa Clara County Fire Department, said last year was particularly dangerous because the extra rain from early 2024 created more plants that turned into dry  fuel by summer. This year’s conditions are more typical, but Ray stressed fire risk is still alive.

“It’s basically normal dry vegetation conditions that we’re used to,” Ray told San José Spotlight. “There’s just a lot we really want to make sure that people understand, that all fireworks, even the safe and sane ones, are dangerous.”

“Safe and sane” fireworks are supposedly less dangerous, according to the California Health Codes. These are fireworks that don’t explode or fly. Ray said these types of fireworks are illegal everywhere in the county except Gilroy, where they can be purchased and used in designated areas.

Fire departments throughout the county are constantly on alert during the July 4th holiday.

San Jose Fire Department spokesperson Jake Pisani said the Fourth of July has the highest call volume. He added that it has the potential to delay other emergency responses.

“It puts a strain on our resources,” Pisani told San José Spotlight. “Our ability to take 911 calls, to dispatch resources, to get on a scene quickly — all of those things are greatly impacted.”

An annual city report on fireworks from earlier this year shows there were 102 fireworks-related calls in 2024, including 59 fires, 12 medical emergencies and 31 smoke and noise complaints. That’s up from 2023, when SJFD received 86 fireworks-related calls, and even higher compared to 2022 with 79 fireworks-related calls.

The city has a minimum fine of $1,000 for illegal firework use, and up to $100,000 and jail time for the illegal possession of dangerous fireworks. Residents can learn more about San Jose’s responses to fireworks at sanjoseca.gov/fireworks.

If a resident sees someone setting off illegal fireworks, Ray encourages them to call their city’s non emergency line, so the 911 emergency line doesn’t get backed up with calls. San Jose officials are encouraging residents to fill out the 311 online form to report illegal fireworks.

Three more fireworks displays will happen on July 5, at Excite Ballpark, Great America and PayPal Park. For more information on firework displays countywide, check the county’s fire department’s website.

“We really just want the public to be safe this Fourth of July,” Ray told San José Spotlight. “If they want to enjoy fireworks, please do it safely by attending one of the public displays that are planned throughout the county.”

Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X. Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X.