Big Bang on the Bay Says It Won in Court, Now Looks Ahead to a Massive 2026 Waterfront Celebration

After three years of legal back and forth, the organizer of Big Bang on the Bay says the case is officially over.

In a recent update, the event’s founder shared that his attorneys informed him they won their case, including two appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. According to him, that ends the federal court fight surrounding the annual July fireworks show over Alamitos Bay.

“It’s over. We won it,” he said, describing the three year legal process as a long journey.

The Drone Show Debate

He also addressed the alternative many people have suggested, replacing fireworks with a drone show.

According to him, they explored that option seriously. He says three different drone companies were brought out to evaluate logistics, costs, and visibility. The Long Beach Fire Department was also involved in reviewing feasibility.

The conclusion, he says, was that a full scale drone show comparable to the impact of fireworks would cost around $200,000. A lower cost option in the $50,000 range was technically possible, but he claims visibility would be limited mostly to people seated at the Boathouse area, not the broader Naples or peninsula neighborhoods.

He also stated that a drone show configuration would require no boats in the water and no people standing on the beach in certain areas, raising questions about how many people would realistically be able to view it.

Because of that, organizers have applied to amend their permit in an effort to continue with fireworks instead.

Ongoing Coastal Tension

While celebrating the appellate victory, he suggested that continued regulatory resistance may be more about opposition to fireworks in general than environmental impact.

He referenced the California Coastal Commission, saying that after prevailing in federal court, he believes it should be clear that the event does not unlawfully pollute the water or harm wildlife. He questioned whether remaining pushback is rooted in broader policy disagreements about fireworks displays along the coast.

The permitting process, however, is still ongoing.

Big Plans for July 4, 2026

Beyond the legal fight, the bigger announcement may be what is being planned for 2026.

Next year marks the 250th birthday of the United States, and organizers say they are preparing a large scale waterfront celebration during the week of July 4, 2026. The vision includes hosting preview style versions of several Olympic events scheduled for Long Beach in 2028.

Among the activities mentioned:

• An ocean swim organized by local swim leadership tied to the Naples Island swim community

• Water polo exhibitions

• Rowing and canoe events

• Kite flying

• Beach volleyball

The night would potentially culminate with three separate fireworks shows along the coast, one near the Queen Mary, another near Cherry and Monrovia, and one near Belmont Pier, all scheduled around 9 p.m.

He described the idea as a full waterfront celebration that could support local small businesses, restaurants, and pop up vendors.

Looking Toward 2028

Organizers say 2026 would serve as a template for what could happen during the 2028 Olympic year, when Long Beach is set to host multiple events.

At the same time, they acknowledge that approvals are still required. If there is resistance in 2026, they suggest similar challenges could surface again in 2028.

For now, the tone from the event’s leadership is optimistic. They say the legal chapter is closed and the focus has shifted to permits, planning, and delivering what they believe the majority of the community wants, a large scale July 4 waterfront celebration.

Whether fireworks ultimately return to Alamitos Bay in 2026 will depend on how those regulatory conversations unfold in the months ahead.