City Officials Urge Safe Fourth of July Celebrations, Announce Holiday Enforcement Plans

With the Fourth of July approaching, City of San José leaders gathered Wednesday at Lake Cunningham Park to encourage residents to celebrate safely and avoid illegal fireworks. The event featured Mayor Matt Mahan, District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas, Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr., and San José Police Department Assistant Chief Ali Miri, along with representatives from Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Animal Care & Services, and more.

Mayor Matt Mahan encouraged residents to celebrate at the City's professional drone show rather than using illegal fireworks.

"Just like last year, we are excited to welcome everyone to Lake Cunningham for a free professional drone show, which is a great way to celebrate our country without fire risk… The safest way to celebrate the Fourth of July is to leave it to the professionals whose job it is to put on a great show. You'll get a great view, a safe celebration, and everybody goes home happy with all fingers attached."

Mahan reminded residents that fireworks remain prohibited throughout San José. "To put it plainly, all fireworks are illegal in San José, other than those done by professionals with permits. And we will be enforcing our laws to keep our community safe."

Councilmember Domingo Candelas highlighted the return of the City's Independence Day celebration at Lake Cunningham Park following last year's successful inaugural drone show.

"Last year, we united over 20,000 people right here at this very park to celebrate but also deter the use of fireworks with our city's first-ever drone show. And this year we're bringing it back."

This year's celebration commemorates America's 250th birthday and will feature a festival beginning at 6 p.m., followed by a drone show at 9 p.m.

"The park will open at 6 p.m., with activities and water slides for families, a lineup of food vendors, live entertainment including mariachi, and something a little different - some lucha libre. Nothing's more American than a little bit of wrestling. Our goal is to create an atmosphere for families to celebrate safely and responsibly."

Candelas also reminded attendees that alcohol, drugs, and weapons will not be permitted inside the park. Parking will not be available on-site, and free shuttle service will operate from the Eastridge Center JCPenney parking lot beginning at 6 p.m.

Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr. emphasized the fire danger posed by illegal fireworks, particularly during the current fire season.

"We want to remind our community that fireworks are illegal. All types of fireworks are illegal for use in the City of San José."

Sapien pointed to the department's response activity this year as evidence of the ongoing fire risk. "In this very early fire season that we're in, in 2026, the San José Fire Department has already responded to over 700 vegetation fires and more than 400 structure fires. The threat of fire is real in the City of San José."

Assistant Chief Ali Miri said the City's enforcement efforts are intended to protect residents and reduce the impacts illegal fireworks have on neighborhoods.

"This is not about stopping freedom, it's about protecting it. The freedom of families to get through the night without fear of fire. The freedom of veterans to avoid painful PTSD triggers. The freedom of pet owners to not spend the holiday searching for a pet that ran away. The freedom of every resident to feel safe in their own neighborhood."

Miri said the San José Police Department will use proactive enforcement measures throughout the holiday, including unmanned aerial vehicles to identify violations. "Our enforcement strategy will be focused and deliberate. This will include strategic deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, to help identify those who continue to put our community at risk."

He also warned that accountability extends beyond the individual igniting illegal fireworks. "I'd like to make one thing clear: enforcement is not limited to the person lighting the fuse. If you host it, allow it, or encourage it on your property, you'll also be held responsible."

The full press conference is available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJAPpj91M_4.

For more information on fireworks safety and to report illegal fireworks, visit the City's fireworks webpage: www.sanjoseca.gov/fireworks.