Big Bang on the Bay 2025 is here. And yes, it comes with fireworks, Long Beach.
Following a controversial bout last year—when late paper-filing forced the annual, day-before-July-4 event to move to Labor Day—the annual tradition will, for the last time, light up Alamitos Bay with a fireworks show like few others.
“This is a true community event,” said founder John Morris, who owns Boathouse on the Bay. “Crucial funding is driven by the homeowners who live around the bay and host parties for the event. The rest of the money is raised through our block party. And all profits over and above costs are being donated back to the community.”
Big Bang on the Bay has always been a philanthropic effort. And this year is no different.
Big Bang on the Bay was born when the City of Long Beach and then-Long Beach Fire Chief Alan Patalano asked John Morris to host the event in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Since then, due to its immense popularity among immediate residents and visitors alike, it has lit up the sky annually every July 3, minus 2020 due to the pandemic and, of course, 2024, when it was moved to Labor Day.
Each year, various nonprofits are included to benefit from the multiple parties going on—like Morris’s annual Block Party that is mere yards from the barge where the fireworks are shot from—and particularly benefit Children Today. The event has raised close to a million dollars for local charities since its inception. Hundreds of others attend private parties that have become tradition throughout the three surrounding neighborhoods with the best view of the show: The Peninsula, Naples, and Belmont Shore.
This year’s event will benefit nonprofit Eminent Collaborations, which hosted Vibez on the Bay last year.
Big Bang on the Bay 2025 is here—but next year will be drone-driven.
Fireworks are officially making their final appearance at Big Bang on the Bay this July 3—because after this year, the California Coastal Commission says the show has to go, well, digital. In a unanimous vote Friday, the state agency ruled that starting next year, Alamitos Bay’s pyrotechnics must be replaced with a drone show.
Coastal Commission staff originally wanted the fireworks gone immediately. However, after some back-and-forth between John and residents raising environmental concerns, the Commission offered a one-year grace period. That means July 3 will be the last time we see fireworks launched from a barge in the bay.
This year’s event will look like it always has: a full-blown block party shutting down North Marina Drive just outside Boathouse, with around 1,300 ticketed guests partying for a cause—proceeds go to local charities—while some 125,000 more gather along the water to watch the show light up the sky.
Long Beach officials, including District 3 Councilmember Kristina Duggan, backed keeping the fireworks one final time, calling Big Bang on the Bay “a celebration that brings people together, supports good causes, and opens up our coast to folks who might not otherwise experience it.” And while next year might look slightly different, this one’s still going out with a literal bang.
Big Bang on the Bay 2025: Event info
- General Admission: $85 per person | $35 kids under 10 years of age
- For tickets, click here.
- Waterfront seating + sunset views
- BBQ catered by Naples Rib Company
- Thrilling paragliders + aircraft flyover tribute
- 20-minute firework show
- Music and dancing
- For tickets, click here.
- Additional Information:
- No re-entry allowed
- ADA seating provided
- Official Website
