In 2015, Collecchio, Italy, became the first community to legally require “silent fireworks”-low-noise pyrotechnic displays-to reduce stress on veterans, pets, children, and wildlife.

Every summer and New Year’s Eve, skies around the world light up with fireworks—bursts of dazzling color accompanied by thunderous booms. For many, the spectacle is synonymous with joy and tradition. Yet the sounds that thrill some can be agonizing for others. The crack of fireworks can trigger anxiety in veterans coping with post-traumatic stress, terrify children, scatter pets, and disrupt wildlife on a massive scale. The World Health Organization warns that noise above 120 decibels crosses into the pain threshold for human hearing; fireworks often exceed 150 or even 170. What feels like celebration for one group can register as chaos and danger for another.

In 2015, the town of Collecchio, Italy, decided to take a different path. By law, its fireworks shows must now be “silent”—low-noise displays designed to preserve visual brilliance while reducing harmful sound. Far from dull, these performances emphasize artistry and color, proving that fireworks can captivate without leaving behind trauma and ecological disruption. Across Europe, other towns and venues have followed suit, experimenting with quiet fireworks in settings where loud explosions would be disruptive or even dangerous.

The rise of silent fireworks reflects a broader conversation about how traditions evolve. Do we cling to the familiar, even when it harms, or do we adapt in ways that balance celebration with care? By looking at the science, the artistry, and the impacts on health and environment, it becomes clear that quieter fireworks are more than a novelty—they are an invitation to reimagine how we celebrate together.

The Birth of Silent Fireworks and Their Growing Appeal

In 2015, the small Italian town of Collecchio made headlines when it passed a law requiring that all public firework displays be “silent.” The ordinance was introduced to protect vulnerable groups—veterans, children, pets, and wildlife—from the stress and harm caused by traditional pyrotechnics. What initially sounded like an oxymoron—quiet fireworks—soon began reshaping how communities thought about celebration.

The idea itself isn’t entirely new. Quiet fireworks have long been used in conventional displays as visual accents—effects like comet tails or “flying fish” that shimmer and scatter without thunderous blasts. What’s changed is the emergence of entire low-noise shows designed to dazzle with vibrant colors and choreographed patterns while avoiding the deafening concussions that can reach up to 170 decibels, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s pain threshold of 120 decibels.

Europe has led the charge in adopting this quieter form of spectacle. In Britain, municipalities near livestock, wildlife habitats, or densely populated areas often permit only low-noise fireworks. Companies like Fantastic Fireworks in England have expanded their offerings, with senior display manager Rino Sampieri noting that quiet shows have become a standard part of the industry’s inventory. These displays typically trade booming aerial explosions for rich colors and intricate visual choreography, allowing audiences to enjoy the artistry without the auditory assault.

While quiet fireworks have yet to gain widespread traction in the United States, their growing popularity in Europe reflects a cultural shift. Increasingly, communities are beginning to weigh the joy of tradition against its hidden costs, opening the door for alternative ways to celebrate without collateral harm.

The Science and Artistry Behind Quiet Fireworks

Traditional fireworks rely on explosive power to propel chemical pellets—known as “stars”—high into the sky, where they burst with light and sound. The louder the explosion, the more force is needed, but that force comes at a cost: the delicate color effects can be washed out or lost entirely. By contrast, quiet fireworks deliberately limit the use of heavy explosives, allowing the visual component to take center stage. Chemists and designers exploit the physics of slower burns and smaller bursts to preserve vibrant colors and create more intricate visual choreography.

The colors themselves come from specific chemical compounds that glow when heated. Strontium salts release brilliant reds, barium compounds produce greens, and copper-based chemicals generate striking blues. These compounds are embedded in the stars, which ignite during the firework’s ascent. Because quiet fireworks avoid overly powerful detonations, the stars are less likely to shatter midair, producing fuller, longer-lasting displays of color. The result is a performance that is more painterly than thunderous, relying on artistic design rather than sheer force to captivate an audience.

Designers also experiment with unique visual effects that play well without noise. Comet tails streak upward before quietly fading, while “flying fish” scatter across the sky like sparks chasing each other in silence. These effects, when combined in carefully timed sequences, create a show that feels less like an explosion-driven spectacle and more like a choreographed ballet of light. Audiences accustomed to loud finales may find the experience unusual at first, but advocates argue that it invites people to pay attention to subtlety, detail, and the beauty of color itself.

The Hidden Costs of Noise

The push for quieter fireworks is not simply about aesthetics; it stems from growing awareness of the physical and psychological harm caused by noise. Fireworks can easily exceed 150 decibels, well above the threshold at which hearing damage begins. Audiologists such as Nathan Williams of Boys Town National Research Hospital warn that exposure to blasts of this intensity can lead to permanent hearing loss, particularly in children, who are more sensitive to loud sounds. Clinics in the United States consistently report an uptick in patients with hearing problems in the days following major holidays like the Fourth of July.

Beyond human health, the booming noise of fireworks takes a measurable toll on animals. Domestic pets are perhaps the most visibly affected, with animal shelters reporting record numbers of runaway dogs every July 5 as frightened pets bolt from homes and backyards. Horses, livestock, and other sensitive animals are also prone to panic, which can result in injury or even death. Wildlife is even more vulnerable. A well-documented case in 2011 saw more than 5,000 red-winged blackbirds drop from the sky in Arkansas after New Year’s fireworks, likely disoriented and fatally colliding with buildings and trees in the chaos.

Ecologists note that sudden blasts can trigger mass disturbances among bird populations and drive larger mammals, such as deer and coyotes, into dangerous environments like roadways. The disruptions may last longer than the fireworks themselves, altering feeding, nesting, and migration patterns. For rescue centers and wildlife shelters, the aftermath of firework-heavy holidays often means a surge in injured animals, creating strain on both caregivers and the creatures they serve. What appears as a fleeting celebration to humans can therefore translate into lasting ecological disruption.

Balancing Tradition with Change

For many people, the loud crack of a firework is inseparable from the thrill of celebration. Critics of silent or low-noise displays argue that without the percussive punch, fireworks lose their magic. Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, has compared silent displays to watching fireworks on a computer screen—visually impressive, but lacking the visceral impact of sound. This cultural attachment to noise is part of why the United States has been slower to embrace the quiet-firework movement compared to Europe.

Nevertheless, communities around the world are beginning to reevaluate the balance between tradition and responsibility. In Britain, local councils often restrict loud displays in areas close to farms, wildlife habitats, or nursing homes. In Italy, Collecchio’s ordinance has become a model of how local governments can legislate toward public and ecological welfare without stripping away celebration entirely. Even within the fireworks industry, companies are adapting, with quiet packages now marketed alongside conventional ones, giving event planners more flexibility.

The transition is not without compromise. Large-scale shows designed for massive crowds are difficult to replicate with low-noise alternatives, as quieter displays lack the same reach. Organizers may need to divide events into smaller gatherings or pair visuals with music and other sensory elements to maintain a sense of grandeur. Yet advocates argue that these changes open the door to more creative approaches to celebration, emphasizing artistry and inclusivity over spectacle for spectacle’s sake.

Toward a More Considerate Celebration

The story of quiet fireworks is ultimately about reimagining how societies celebrate in a way that respects both joy and wellbeing. Traditional fireworks carry undeniable cultural significance, but they also impose hidden costs on those least able to cope with them: children, veterans with PTSD, animals, and fragile ecosystems. Silent and low-noise displays demonstrate that it is possible to preserve wonder while mitigating harm, offering a blueprint for how communities might reconcile tradition with compassion.

The shift toward quieter celebrations may not happen overnight, but incremental change can make a difference. When municipalities choose to host low-noise displays, they signal to residents that inclusivity and environmental stewardship matter. When families opt for smaller, quieter alternatives at home, they help reduce the noise burden on their neighborhoods. As awareness spreads, the demand for such options is likely to grow, pushing manufacturers to continue innovating and refining their offerings.