Banned fireworks can come with $100,000 fine in Brampton on Diwali and Halloween

This week will see both Halloween and Diwali celebrations take place across Brampton and bylaw officers are reminding residents not to use fireworks during the festivities or risk fines up to $100,000.

Diwali – a celebration that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across the world – falls on Oct. 31 this year and coincides with Halloween.

The festival is traditionally celebrated by lighting lamps, but fireworks have become a popular way to mark Diwali in Brampton leading to a ban on nearly all types of personal fireworks across the city.

Fireworks complaints have been trending down since the ban but the city is urging residents to celebrate Diwali without pyrotechnics or risk hefty fines.

Setting off fireworks in Brampton comes with a $500 fine, climbing up to $1,000 for anyone selling fireworks. Property owners who allow fireworks to be set off on their property can also be fined, and the maximum fireworks fine the city can charge is $100,000.

Sparklers – small hand-held fireworks that burn slowly and give off sparks – are the only personal fireworks exempt from the ban. That change was introduced ahead of Diwali last year at the request of residents.

The ban was put in place following explosive Diwali celebrations in 2022 that saw more than 1,000 complaints filed to city hall.

But if you were hoping for some fireworks this year, the city is running a display on Nov. 1 at the Diwali Mela event.

The free, family-friendly event will feature performances by local and international artists including Gurpreet Maan, followed by Punjabi artists G. Sidhu, Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga.

Nachdi Jawani Bhangra Team, Taaj Entertainment and DJ Prince will also hit the stage on Friday.

The city’s free Diwali Mela event runs this Friday at 7:30 p.m.​​ in Sesquicentennial Park and will feature Brampton’s largest fireworks show.

You can call 311 any time of the day or night to report illegal fireworks use in Brampton.