With Mississauga’s recent ban on selling and using fireworks, the 2020 Victoria Day holiday presents an opportunity to be creative. The reasoning behind the fireworks ban is to reduce physical crowding during fireworks displays across the city and to put less of a strain on the Mississauga’s Fire Department.

The Victoria Day long weekend is the first of the “fireworks” weekends in the calendar year and while we can’t enjoy traditional fireworks, this allows us to be creative and find new ways to celebrate this holiday weekend.

With that, here are seven alternatives to explore and enjoy:

Watch a virtual fireworks display
The City of Mississauga has uploaded a video of a previous fireworks display at City Hall, which you can watch below. It’s not the same as being there in person, however it’s a great alternative that you can re-watch multiple times from the comfort of your home.

Bubble Wrap
You still get that popping and cracking sound, it’s fun regardless of age, and it can easily be done indoors.
To add some flair, turn off the lights and play a colourful video this YouTube video to fill in the colour gaps.

”Fireworks” In A Jar.
This simple craft needs only water, oil and food colouring. Create your own using this method.

Elephant Toothpaste
Another easy to create alternative, complete with a quirky name. Here’s an simple to follow set of instructions to create your own.

Non-sparking sparklers
Continuing along the path of simple to create with minimal material projects, this is a terrific craft do with children and or adults.

Good ol’ Glowsticks
Twirl them, whirl them, wave them, swing them - lots of safe options here to create some cool light patterns. Plus, they should be readily available at most retailers.

Firecracker Goop
Who knew the classic candy Pop Rocks could be used as a fireworks alternative? Not me.
By blending the Pop Rocks with water, corn starch and food colouring, you can create a cool alternative that aurally mimics fireworks through a hands-on craft.

If you have any suggestions/recommendations, we’d love to hear about them!

Mississauga’s City Council voted to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks until further notice to reduce the potential for large crowds and continue to promote resident safety for the duration of the emergency related to COVID-19 as declared by the Province of Ontario and ensure existing resources are available and used for resident safety.