Rules in three places
| Where | Rule |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | You must be 18 or over to buy and set off fireworks. They are banned between 11 pm and 7 am, except until midnight on Bonfire Night and until 1 am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year (London Fire Brigade). |
| United States | Consumer fireworks rules differ by state, and many cities and counties add their own bans or burn restrictions. Check your state fire marshal and local government. |
| South Korea | Korea’s 2014 law on the use and management of beaches bans playing with toy fireworks on beaches; reported fines are 50,000 won for use and 100,000 won for selling them on the beach. |
Places that are usually off-limits
- Near forests and dry grass — wildfire seasons bring burn bans that cover fireworks.
- Parks and beaches — often banned by local bylaws even where fireworks are otherwise legal. Look at the sign at the entrance.
- Apartment complexes and dense streets — noise and fire complaints, and a real problem for neighbors with pets (pets and fireworks noise).
- Sky lanterns — banned or restricted in many places because of fire risk (wish traditions and sky lantern bans).
Why it matters even when nobody checks
Spent fireworks left on sand cut bare feet and wash into the sea as litter, and fireworks pointed toward people cause burns. Low fines and rare enforcement are common complaints, but the reason for the rules is safety, not the size of the fine.
Instead of fireworks
To keep the beach-night mood without the risk, launch them on your phone. the Android app Wish Fireworks lets you pick a night sky, including a Beach sky, and fire your wish into it.
Pick a night sky under Decorate
Lower on the Launch tab, under Decorate, switch the Night sky between City, Beach, Mountain, Snowy night and more. Cherry blossom, Aurora, Desert and Lantern festival skies unlock for good after watching one ad.
Launch and keep it as a GIF
Write a wish, tap Launch it, then tap Share as animated GIF under the card to make a short looping clip of the burst. Send it to whoever was there with you.
The sample wish in the screenshots below is written in Korean; your own wish appears in whatever language you type.
FAQ
Is it fine outside the swimming season?
It depends on the place and local rules. Ask the local authority that manages the beach.
There’s an official show tonight. Can I add my own?
Official displays are licensed; your own fireworks are not covered, and they are more dangerous in a crowd.
Wish Fireworks
No sign-up, and your wishes stay on your phone. Free on Android.